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Vol. 4: No. 12
December 23, 2015

Short-Term Missions: Year in Review

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works . . . 
Hebrews 10:24 (ESV)

Members of the OPC were blessed with many opportunities to participate in short-term missions (STM) during the year 2015!

Activity began in February with the work team that traveled to Haiti to complete renovations to the missionary property in Kaliko; moved into the spring with individuals and teams who helped to prepare the Boardwalk Chapel for the summer season; and continued through the summer with 65 OP churches represented on a variety of teams at home and abroad.

Thank you to all who served on STM teams, or provided the work for those teams to do, and/or supported these efforts in prayer!

Teams are already being assembled for the spring and summer of 2016 (scroll down to see), and perhaps our 3 minute slideshow of last summer's short-term missions will "stir you up" to consider serving (Heb. 10:24)!  Click below for the slideshow.
Slideshow: Summer 2015 STM
 
 
 

In this issue:
Slideshow: Summer 2015 Short-Term Missions
OPC Receiving Gifts for Refugee Relief
Boardwalk Chapel's Christmas Gift Wish

Spring 2016 Opportunity for Service:
Spring 2016: Skilled Workers Needed in Japan

Summer 2016 Opportunities for Service:
Summer 2016: English for Kids Camps (Quebec)
Summer 2016: English Camp (Czech Republic)
Summer 2016: The Boardwalk Chapel
Summer 2016: Team Praha (Czech Republic)

Current Opportunities for Service:
Year-Round Need for Short-Term Teachers in South Korea
Year-Round Opportunities for Service in Uganda
Year-Round Evangelism Opportunity in Quebec
Help Refurbish Church Building in Utah
Year-Round Evangelism Training in Key West, FL
Skilled Volunteers Needed in Kentucky and New Jersey

STM Resources:
Can Your Church Use a Team?

PRINT:
Print a Bulletin Insert or 8.5x11 Poster of this report
 
 
 

The Committee on Diaconal Ministries is currently exploring ways in which diaconal funds can be used to minister to victims of the worldwide refugee crisis. The CDM has reserve funds from which to draw for this purpose, but should you or your church also wish to participate, you can do so as follows:
How to Donate
 
 

OPC Receiving Gifts for Refugee Relief

"We may not be able to understand the ultimate reasons for the catastrophe that is unfolding before our eyes, but ought we not view this, in part, as an opportunity set before us by divine providence to do what we can to minister to these refugees, especially fellow believers who are being persecuted for their faith?"

- Rev. Lendall Smith, President, Committee on Diaconal Ministries

Read more:
The Refugee Crisis
 
 
 

The Christmas Wish List is posted at the Chapel's website and includes:

  • Audiovisual and office equipment
  • Musical instruments and drama props
  • Gift cards for tools and groceries
  • Dishtowels and curtains
 
 

Boardwalk Chapel's Christmas Wish List

A great way to participate in the ministry of the OPC's Boardwalk Chapel in Wildwood, New Jersey, is to donate one of a wide variety of items needed to maintain and update their buildings and support their summer outreach program!

Maybe you can help!  Click below for all the details.
 
Christmas Wish List
 
 
 

Short-Term Missions:
Spring 2016 Opportunity 
 
 
 

Skilled Workers Needed in Japan

"Ask yourself, am I interested in using my temporal skills for the advancement of the Kingdom? Can I actually help the spread of the Gospel, the preaching of the Word, and the exercise of the Love of the Lord, by using my hands? The answer is a resounding yes!"

- Mr. John Voss, Treasurer,
Committee on Diaconal Ministries

Dates:
April/May 2016

If you can help, contact:
David Nakhla
OPC Disaster Response Coordinator
david.nakhla@opc.org
 
 

OPC Disaster Response is seeking skilled volunteers to join a work team to make repairs to the exterior of the Nozomi Center in Japan, a community relief center that OPC teams extensively renovated following the tsunami of 2011, and which continues to serve as an important beacon of hope and light in the area.

The work: Roofing, caulking, painting, and gutter repair.
Click for further information
 
 
 

Short-Term Missions:
Summer 2016 Opportunities 
 
 
 

Summer 2016:
"English for Kids"
Bible Camps

St. Marc's Reformed Church in French-speaking Quebec City is seeking English-speaking volunteers to help conduct its summer outreach program to local children: three "English for Kids" Bible camps, and an "English for Teens" Bible camping trip.

Dates:

  • June 27-July 1, 2016
  • July 4-July 8, 2016

  • July 11-15, 2016

  • July 25-29, 2016 (Teen Camp)
 
 

Contact:

Rev. Ben Westerveld
b_westerveld@hotmail.com

Jennifer Nelson
jennifer.nelson789@gmail.com
 
Click for further information
 
 
 

Summer 2014 English Camp Team

Contact:
Mrs. Sherry Wagner
sherrylwagner@me.com
Click for further information
 
 

Summer 2016:
English Camp in the Czech Republic

Bayview OPC in Chula Vista, CA, will join missionaries Jerry and Marilyn Farnik in presenting a Bible-centered family “English Camp” in the Czech Republic, July 13-25, 2016.

The team is in the process of being assembled, but more applicants are sought. Married couples, singles are welcome to apply ... and they'd particularly like more men prepared to befriend the Czechs and demonstrate that the gospel and the Christian life are for men and women, young and old!
 
 
 

Summer 2016:
The Boardwalk Chapel

The OPC's Boardwalk Chapel, entering its 72nd consecutive year of ministry in Wildwood, New Jersey, offers opportunities for individuals to serve as Volunteer Staff for the 12-week summer season, and for church groups to serve as Ministry Teams for one-week periods.  
 
 

Summer 2015 Boardwalk Chapel

Contact:
Rev. Jim Zozzaro
Ms. Elizabeth Horst
boardwalkchapel@gmail.com
Click for further information
 
 
 

The Youth Committee of the Presbytery of Southern California invites you to apply to join "Team Praha," traveling to the Czech Republic, July 25-August 16, 2016.

Contact:
Mr. David Winslow
dwinslowjr@aol.com
 
 

Summer 2016:
Team Praha

As in previous years, the team will participate in 3 weeks of ministry, including a Vacation Bible School, a mountain hiking trip, and other outreach activities focusing on children, teens, and young adults in the city of Prague and in the countryside of the Czech Republic.
 
Click for further information
 
 
 

Short-Term Missions:
Current Opportunities 
 
 
 

The Missionary Training Institute in Yeosu, South Korea, is seeking short-term teachers for missionaries and missionary candidates from South Korea and other nearby countries.

MTI was founded in 1983 by OP missionaries Dr. Young J. Son and his wife Mary Lou.

MTI Website:
www.mtikorea.org

Contact:
Mihyang Choi-Yoon
mihyangc@hotmail.com
 
 

Year-Round Need
for Short-Term Teachers in South Korea

English as a Second Language (ESL):

  • Some background in ESL helpful but not required
  • Curriculum, meals, and housing provided
  • Teach for one or more 10-week school terms

Specialty Teachers:

  • Stay for 2-3 weeks within one of four school terms
  • Meals and housing provided
  • Experts in the following topics sought: Theology, Missiology, Missionary member-care, Writing, Speech
Click for further information
 
 
 

Year-Round Opportunities for Service in Uganda

The Orthodox Presbyterian Uganda Missions (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, the Karamoja Education Outreach project (KEO), and village evangelism, not to mention the continual construction projects including well-drilling, there are many ways for a short-term visitor to serve on this field.
 
 

Visit OPUM's excellent website for an application form and an extensive and carefully detailed visitor’s handbook which is must-reading for anyone interested in serving in this remote region of the world. 

Contact:
Mrs. Sunshine Okken
Karamoja, Uganda
dsokken@gmail.com
Click for further information
 
 
 

​Quebec City is a beautiful place to visit in any season!

Contact:
Rev. Ben Westerveld
westerveld.2@opc.org

 

 

 
 
 

Year-Round Evangelism Opportunity in Quebec

OPC Missionary Rev. Ben Westerveld invites you to come join in a "Cafe Anglais" (English Cafe) in the parks and malls of Quebec City.  Since the mother tongue of most of the citizens of Quebec is French, they welcome any opportunity to practice English with real Anglophones (those whose mother tongue is English). This type of outreach can provide opportunities to share the gospel and the Reformed faith! 
Click for further information
 
 
 

Help Refurbish Church Building
in Utah

OPC Pastor Jason Wallace of Christ Presbyterian Church in Magna, Utah, outside Salt Lake City, has established quite a presence in witnessing to the local Mormon community, especially by way of his weekly, local call-in TV show that has drawn visitors to the church.  Here's an opportunity to participate in this important work - by helping the congregation complete renovations to their church building!
 
 

The church was very encouraged to receive a hard-working team from Faith OPC (Long Beach, CA) this past summer, but additional help is still needed!

Contact:
Rev. D. Jason Wallace
wallace.2@opc.org
Click for further information
 
 
 

Rev. Bill Welzien, Pastor of Keys Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Key West, Florida, who has presented the gospel three times a week for over 20 years in an engaging open-air style during the popular Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square, invites your group to come and receive classroom training and practical experience in evangelism.  

Grow in your ability to speak with boldness about the eternal hope that is in you!
 
 

Year-Round Evangelism Training in Key West, Florida 

A great idea for a winter activity for your youth group!

This opportunity is available year-round, and is made very affordable by Keys Evangelistic Ministries, which provides housing for up to 12 people in its four-bedroom dormitory, where teams are welcome to stay for a week at a time. 

Contact:
Rev. Bill Welzien
welzien.1@opc.org
Click for further information
 
 
 

Skilled Volunteers Still Needed


NEON, KENTUCKY
Help needed to install a laminated wood floor and build a master bathroom as work continues on the church/manse building of Neon Reformed Presbyterian Church in Neon, Kentucky. If you can help:

Contact:
Rev. M. Jay Bennett
jybnntt@gmail.com
 
 
Click for further information
 
 

BRICK, NEW JERSEY

Reconstruction following 2012's Hurricane Sandy continues along the Jersey shore!  If you can help:

Contact:
Mr. Charlie Farrell
farre954@regis.edu 

 
 
 
 

**************

Asia:
Individuals able to teach English at the university level (must have at least a Bachelor's degree) to start in February or August 2016. Minimum commitment of one year.  

Quebec:  
An individual (particularly a young man) able to speak French (or interested in learning to speak French) to assist in the outreach and discipleship ministries of St. Marc's Reformed Church.
 
 

Missionary Associate Openings

A missionary associate (MA) is an individual who is appointed by the Committee on Foreign Missions to labor on an OP foreign mission field without cost to the committee. There is an application process, and terms of service are generally 3 months to 2 years.

Contact:
Rev. Douglas Clawson
Associate
General Secretary,
Committee on
Foreign Missions
clawson.1@opc.org
 
 

**************

Uganda:  
Two individuals to assist our missionary families in Mbale with homeschooling and more.

Two individuals to participate in the Karamoja Education Outreach (KEO) program.

Skilled individuals to assist our missionary deacons.
 
 
 

STM Resources
 
 
 

Can Your Church Use a Team?

Is there a project that your church could undertake if it had the help of volunteers from another OP church or presbytery? For example:

  • Need help with Vacation Bible School?
  • Need help with community outreach?
  • ​Need help making improvements to your church building?

In making such a need known, your church actually provides an opportunity for those who seek to share their time, gifts, and skills with others in the OPC!
 
 

We can help you get the word out and look for a team!  Contact us at OPCShortTermMissions@opc.org for further information, or click below to complete a form to request a team to help your church!
Request a Team
 
 
 
 
 
 

PRINTABLE 

Bulletin Insert
or 8.5x11 Poster
of this
S.T.O.R.M. Report
 
 
 

David P. Nakhla
Short-Term Missions and Disaster Response Coordinator

Contact:
Office 215-935-1007
Cell 562-760-7606
david.nakhla@opc.org
 
 

Website:
www.OPCSTM.org

Facebook:
OPCShortTermMissions
OPCDisasterResponse

Questions and comments regarding the S.T.O.R.M. Report may also be directed to:

Janet L. Birkmann
Administrative Assistant
Short-Term Missions and Disaster Response
janet.birkmann@opc.org
 
 
 
The Orthodox Presbyterian Church
Administrative Offices
607 N. Easton Rd., Bldg. E
Willow Grove, PA 19090-2539
Phone 215-830-0900
This newsletter is being sent to the OPC community and others interested in learning more about the OPC's short-term outreach and relief activities.
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