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S.T.O.R.M. Report
Short-Term Outreach, Relief & Missions
by David P. Nakhla November 27, 2013 |
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In Everything Give Thanks!
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thess 5:16-18 (NKJV)
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for reflecting on the Lord's goodness to us over the past year. His gift of goodness does not always come to us wrapped in the most obvious of packages. It does not always come painted with colorful flowers and glowing sunshine. Rather, we may find that we have to peer through the dark clouds and stormy skies to discover His goodness, love, and care for us. And yet, isn't it interesting how often it is in those times of distress and trial that we find the Lord to be so near. Let me offer some reasons for thanks to the Lord pertaining to Hurricane Sandy (without even attempting to mention the many other matters for thanks!)
- He preserved the OPC with no loss of life
- He united two congregations as one (Faith Bible Church + Redeemer OPC = Faith Bible OPC in Brick, New Jersey)
- He raised up two diligent and capable servants to serve as site coordinators both in New York and in New Jersey
- He led many to contribute towards the Sandy Response efforts in the amount of $179,000.
- He established a cooperative relationship with the local PCA church in New Jersey for housing and feeding many volunteers
- He raised up hundreds of volunteers (I have lost track!) to give days and weeks of their time and energies!
- He raised up a faithful brother from the RPCNA who contibuted months of ground work in New Jersey
- He enabled all the family units connected with the OPC in New York to be reestablished 1 year later
- He enabled all but 2 family units connected with the OPC in New Jersey to be reestablished 1 year later
- and the list goes on . . .
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Help Build a Wall in Haiti in January 2014
 Are you a skilled mason or welder looking for a decidedly cross-cultural experience? Do you have free time in January 2014, and want to escape winter for a week or two? Perhaps you would consider serving in Haiti!
Schedule:
Team 1: Wed., January 15 - Thurs., January 23, 2014
Team 2: Thurs., January 23 - Fri., January 31, 2014
If you are interested in joining a team, please contact
David Nakhla: Ph: (562) 760-7606 nakhla.1@opc.org |
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OPC Spared in Midwest Tornadoes
Following the news of the destructive tornadoes that ripped through the Midwest on Sunday, November 17, 2013, we were thankful to learn from our deacons in the Presbytery of the Midwest that our OPC church buildings and congregations had escaped harm.
Deacon John Voss of Covenant OPC in Orland Park, Illinois, and member of the OPC Committee on Diaconal Ministries, reported:
"The areas hardest hit were in the New Lenox and Manhattan/Wilmington area, as far as churches within the Presbytery of the Midwest. We had no one at our church directly affected. New Covenant Community Church in New Lenox, soon to be in Joliet, has one woman who was ... not affected, but her parents live in Washington (IL) which was really hard hit. However, Praise God, her folks were unscathed physically as well as their possessions. The town is obviously hurting, but no one within the OPC has been harmed or affected . . . "
Also, Rob Brinks, director of Reformed Mission Services, a work of the United Reformed Churches (URCNA), our sister denomination, reports that he knows of no URCNA churches or members affected by the tornadoes, praise the Lord! |
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Typhoon Relief Fund Established
Consistent with the response of the church to past disasters of such magnitude, there has been a ground-swell of longing within the OPC to help with the relief work going on in the Philippines following the devastation of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) earlier this month. Since the OPC does not have a direct work in the Philippines, we are following the ministries of mercy being brought to the area by other reformed churches and organizations to whom we can send funds with confidence that they will be properly administered in the name of Christ. Read more about this at www.opcstm.org under "STM News" by clicking here.
For those who wish to contribute, a "Typhoon Yolanda Relief Fund" has been established by the OPC Committee on Diaconal Ministries (CDM) for the receipt of such funds:
Gifts should be made payable to "Orthodox Presbyterian Church"
Gifts should be noted for "Typhoon Yolanda Relief"
Please mail to:
The Administrative Offices of the OPC
Attn: CDM
607 N. Easton Road, Bldg. E
Willow Grove, PA 19090
Continue to pray for the victims of the typhoon, as well as the relief workers and missionaries at work there. As one reformed pastor from the Philippines wrote on his Facebook page, "Pray for our long-term mission plan to serve pastors and churches in affected areas --- from relief to rehabilitation to reformation."
Please also remember to pray for the CDM in its efforts to be good stewards of your gifts and effectively respond in the name of Christ to this and other disasters.
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Current Opportunities for Service
Help Wrap-Up the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Effort!
Small teams or individuals are still needed in Brick, New Jersey and Seaside Park, New Jersey to help get the last few OPC families back into their homes following the devastation of Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Read more about this at www.opcstm.org under " National Opportunities" by clicking here.
Help Complete a Re-Construction Project in Neon, Kentucky!
Neon Reformed Presbyterian Church is still in need of skilled volunteers to help complete the renovation to the pastor's apartment-home on the second floor of their church building, and to refurbish the church's store-front exterior. Read more about this at www.opcstm.org under " National Opportunities" by clicking here. |
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Year-Round Opportunities for Service
Uganda
The Orthodox Presbyterian Uganda Mission (OPUM) is the largest mission station in the OPC, and is ripe with opportunities for short-term mission work - year round! With an operating medical clinic, a farm project, an education outreach project and village evangelism, not to mention continual construction projects including well-drilling, there are many ways for a short-term visitor to serve on this field. Read more about this at www.opcstm.org under " Global Opportunities" by clicking here.
Key West, Florida
How would you like to spend a week in beautiful Key West, Florida, growing in your ability to speak with boldness about the eternal hope that is in you? OPC pastor Bill Welzien presents the gospel three times a week in an engaging open-air style during the Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square, and he invites you to come, learn and practice hands-on evangelism with him, at any time during the year. Read more about this at www.opcstm.org under "National Opportunities" by clicking here. |
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Current Missionary Associate Openings
Asia Individuals able to teach English at the university level (at least a Bachelor's Degree).
Japan A married couple or two singles of the same gender to assist in the mission's various outreach activities. Learn more at www.opcstm.org under "Global Opportunities" by clicking here.
Quebec An individual able to speak French (or interested in learning to speak French) to assist in the outreach ministry of Eglise Reformee St-Marc de Quebec.
Uganda One individual to assist with homeschooling missionary children; another individual who is skilled with his hands to assist the missionary deacons.
For more information on missionary associate service, or to request an application:
Contact Rev. Douglas Clawson, Associate General Secretary, Committee on Foreign Missions at clawson.1@opc.org. |
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David P. Nakhla
Short-Term Missions & Disaster Response Coordinator
(562) 760-7606
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