Published on May 16, 2013
“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. “ Acts 13:2-3 (ESV) Many teams have formed and are currently preparing for service on OPC mission fields, both here and abroad. Have you as a church considered your important role as “sender”? Just as Paul and Barnabas were sent, ought we consider our important role as the sending congregation. Sadly, in our independent-mindedness, short-term missions is often self-propelled. It is probably far too seldom that one approaches his pastor or elders, seeking their blessing in this ... Continue Individuals & Teams Needed in QUEBEC!
Published on April 24, 2013
We have a growing need for more individuals and teams to host our English Bible camp ministry this summer. Only one partial team has confirmed to host our first camp (July 1-5). We would like to organize a minimum of two other camps. July 8-12: English for Kids (up to 50 kids, 5-12 years of age) — Volunteers needed (16 years and older). While we need several young people to help with activities and games, etc., a few adults, even grandparents, always add an element of calm reflection. The mix of ages makes the camp more family-like. July 15-19: English for Teens (up to 25 teens, 13 years and older) — We would like to take the teens camping (4 days, 3 nights), ... Continue Boardwalk Chapel – Passing the Baton
Published on April 24, 2013
Jon W. Stevenson, long-time Director of the Boardwalk Chapel ministry in Wildwood, NJ, retired on March 31, 2013. The Rev. James A. Zozzaro, pastor of Calvary OPC, Wildwood, NJ, has taken up the reigns as Interim Director. Click to read Jon’s reflections on 35 years of service at the Chapel in a recent edition of the Chapel Newsletter entitled, “Passing the Baton.” Lined Up To Serve This Summer?
Published on April 19, 2013
Serving one another in the church is a great privilege that is ours as members of this body. We, as differing members of the body of Christ, have differing gifts. These gifts are to be used to serve the body. The body functions best when each part is serving the body as it ought. I Cor 12:24b-26 says “But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” It is such a blessing to be able to be a ... Continue Report from Boston After Marathon Bombing
Published on April 17, 2013
April 17, 2013 …none of our people were directly affected (caught in the blast). At least two people were working close by, but they are safe. I have not heard of anyone in the greater OPC family that was affected. I appreciate that there are people who would love to come and help. At this time, I am not sure how they could. The victims certainly need prayer, and it may be that in the coming days or weeks, a way of meeting physical needs will emerge. Right now, I know that many are scared, or upset, and are in need of prayer. The families of the victims and of those killed (2 locals and one Chinese national) need prayer; ... Continue Fundraiser To Help Flooded Business Recover
Published on March 20, 2013
Stephanie Avellino wanted to help. “This one seemed to hit close to home,” she said, referring to Super Storm Sandy. Members in her extended family had been impacted by the hurricane. But as a small business owner herself, Stephanie wanted to reach out to Shore businesses affected by Sandy. Stephanie attends Calvary Chapel in Glenside, PA where OPC Disaster Response Coordinator David Nakhla also worships. Through David she connected with Toms River, NJ, site coordinator Charlie Farrell. Charlie helped Stephanie coordinate a fund-raiser for small business owner Dave Weller, who co-owns Uncle Nick’s Sub Shop in Seaside Park, NJ. Uncle Nick’s is open year-round, so the shop was fully stocked when Sandy hit. The building and refrigeration system sustained massive ... Continue Two Thumbs Up for Churches Working Together
Published on February 13, 2013
How Hurricane Sandy brought together the OPC, URC, PCA and RPCNA Many different volunteers who have come to help with the disaster response efforts in Toms River, NJ. A certain trend has been exciting to see and is worthy of special note. Reformed Mission Services, a ministry within the bounds of the United Reformed Church (URC), in December sent a team of 13 from Michigan to the Jersey Shore (800 miles!) to help out with the response effort. This URC team came to help out OPC families. They were housed at Calvary PCA in Allenwood, NJ! To add a little more spice to this fraternal mix, the project was arranged by James Hulbert of the RPCNA who has been donating weeks ... Continue Challenges, Yet Gratitude 3 Months After Sandy
Published on February 11, 2013
Update on Redeemer OPC, Toms River (Seaside Heights), NJ February 2, 2013 Weather continues to be a challenge for residents of the Jersey Shore. At this moment the area is bracing for Winter Storm Nemo (the lost little clown fish? the rogue submarine captain of Verne’s imagination?), expecting between four to 10 inches of snow and moderate coastal flooding. An earlier late-autumn store already re-flooded some Superstorm Sandy affected homes and businesses. At the same time many are fighting with insurance companies to get funds to rebuild, some are getting news that their homes must be raised anywhere from three to 10 feet or pay more than $30,000 annually for flood insurance. (See article.) Whether they are primary or vacation ... Continue Curriculum to Help You Lead an STM
Published on February 8, 2013
Short-Term Missions (STM) has earned a bad name in a lot circles. There are books coming out on the woes of STMs. And, sadly, there truly is a lot of legitimate criticism of short-term missions. Much of the cause for concern stems from two things. First, the local missionary and/or indigenous church are often not included in the process of planning the STM. This means that many STMs are coming in without an understanding of, or appreciation for, the cultures, traditions, ways of life, etc, of the people, group or church with whom they are going to work. The end result in many cases is unintended consequences; often including the infliction of significant damage on the gospel ministry that was ... Continue Mission Accomplished in Ishinomaki!
Published on December 16, 2012
All the tasks in rebuilding the church in Ishinomaki were completed. Three members from the Tokyo church and many members from the Sendai area came for the last day as we were packing up. They thanked us for all the work. But really they were thanking all four teams. We just had the privilege of doing the final trim, paint and completion. We are very grateful to the four teams, to those who planned and managed the project, to those who organized the teams, and to the OPC members who prayed for and contributed to the work. We were able to take pictures of the finished church without the blue tarps covering the material! Team four finished installing window and ... Continue Can Your OP Church Use a Team This Summer?
Published on December 7, 2012
About this time last year, I asked this question. I wanted to challenge the churches to think about what activities, ministries or projects it might be able to tackle with the additional help of a team. A good number of opportunities were created and several of them found suitable teams in time to move forward. It seemed to be both a success on behalf of the team participants and the recipients of the help. Can I challenge you again: How might your church use a team if one came to you? Could you once again run a VBS…something you have not been able to do for lack of staff? Is there an outreach effort that can be supported by a ... Continue Please Don’t Stop Praying For Sandy’s Victims!
Published on November 29, 2012
Please don’t stop praying for us here in metropolitan New York in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. It is one month ago today that the storm hit with its greatest force (and for the duration of most of that day). While the rest of the country gears up for Christmas, we are still surrounded by clean-up and house re-building efforts. We are now entering the home reconstruction phase of our relief work. We are thankful to the Lord for the many offers of assistance from carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and other skilled workers. I am also very thankful for the superb disaster relief coordination that is being done by one of our elders (and former chairman of our Board of Deacons), ... Continue Sandy Volunteering
Published on November 16, 2012
While most begin their plans to enter into a very joyous time of the year which begins with that great gathering with friends and family around a table overflowing with an abundance of food (a true symbol of our Lord’s abundant blessings upon us in the previous year) and then moves into the very festive Christmas season, there are many who are not at all ready to even think about entering such a season. In NY and NJ, the lives of many, including a good number of OPC families, have had their lives turned upside down, inside out, as a result of devastation Hurricane Sandy caused on the NJ / NY shoreline. For many of us, the hurricane came and ... Continue A Spirit of Hopefulness on Long Island
Published on November 15, 2012
It is hard to believe that we are now in the third week of events connected with Hurricane Sandy’s destructive march through New Jersey and New York beginning on October 29. (Days merge with one another in times of disaster and disaster relief. The experience is a kind of corporate bereavement process with the successive stages of shock, disorganization, and reorganization. We are now in the early reorganization period). It is hard for me to believe that next week is Thanksgiving! In other areas of our nation, things are proceeding to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. Marketers are trying to get us to think like that (especially in heavily commercialized New York), but – with disaster all around us here ... Continue Project Ishinomaki – First Team Now Home
Published on November 7, 2012
Two weeks now have passed since the beginning of the reconstruction of the Reformed Church of Japan in Ishinomaki Japan by Team #1. The efforts of the team have been very effective as all the demolition required has been completed. Much of the electricity work has been completed and David continues his efforts to modernize the facility with a combination of US and Japanese supplies. All the outside stucco has been removed exposing the frame as well all the floorboards on the 1st floor. The wall coverings and insulation have been removed and the ceiling has been removed exposing a sequence of attractive beams. It was determined by the team to leave the ceiling open and expose these beams. It ... Continue 
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