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Vol. 5: No. 1
January 18, 2017
Focus On: Key West Evangelism Training
". . . proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance."
Acts 28:31 (ESV)
The Sunset Celebration is like a street fair with attitude. Thousands of tourists who visit Key West will gather at the western edge of Key West on Mallory Square each evening to watch the sunset....These tourists are able to purchase arts and crafts .... enjoy unique foods such as conch fritters....There are numerous street performers, juggling acts, sword swallowing, and high wire stunts....there are local musicians on guitars, banjo, and bagpipes and maybe even a tuba.There amongst all the carnival atmosphere, Bill Welzien makes a sobering presentation of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.... Excerpt from www.keys-christians.org
OPC Pastor Bill Welzien, who has been presenting the gospel in an engaging open-air fashion three times each week for over 25 years at the famous Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square in Key West, Florida, says:
“Over the years I have come to know the privilege and the joy of sharing the only message God ordained to reconcile fallen men and women to Himself. Because of this I want other believers to taste this freedom and joy as well. My faith is always strengthened as I exit my Christian 'bubble' and engage the world around me with God’s truth!! I learn how accurate God’s Word truly is as I listen to the sad, silly and shallow arguments of unbelievers. When we know God’s Word we find that we can dialogue with those who oppose God’s truth from a position of strength. This experience can only come by working with the Word! I have a desire to assist my brothers and sisters in Christ to experience the exhilaration of working on the front lines of Gospel ministry. This is why I eagerly encourage God’s people to come down here for training. There is nothing to be gained by playing it safe! We need to take the 'Gospel risks.' We need to jump into kingdom work with both feet!” - Bill Welzien
Take a Team to Key West!
One of the most unique short-term missions opportunities offered in the OPC is the invitation to bring your church group to Key West and receive classroom training and practical experience in evangelism from Pastor Bill Welzien! We urge you to explore this opportunity and consider taking your group to Key West!
News
Cedar OPC Youth Group Heads to Key West for Evangelism Training!
by Rev. Steve Igo
Ten students and three adults from Cedar OPC in Hudsonville, Michigan, will travel to Key West, Florida, on Spring Break from March 31 to April 8, 2017. It is hard to believe that it has been over 10 years since Cedar OPC sent a team to visit Pastor Bill Welzien and the saints at Keys Chapel OPC. While there, Cedar youth hope to both learn and serve in “Bible Bill’s” ministry of evangelism at the Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square in Key West.
Why are we going on this trip this spring? Well, this past year, the Cedar Church Youth Group studied the topic of “Christian Apologetics” in our Sunday evening youth group meetings, utilizing such great video-based resources as: The Ask Curriculum by Ravi Zacharias Ministries, Reasons for God by Tim Keller, and Faith Path by
Mark Mittelberg. Now, Cedar youth hope to learn even more from one of the OPC’s best apologists and active evangelists, Bill Welzien.
Please pray for our participants to grow in our understanding of the Christian faith, learn better how to explain our faith to our increasingly hostile culture, and warmly share the good news with those around us.
Bill Welzien presenting the gospel at Mallory Square in Key West
Current Opportunities
Printable PDF: Overview of STM Opportunities
February 2017: Spanish-Speakers Needed to Help with VBS in Uruguay
It's now summer in Uruguay! February 18-27, fluent Spanish-speakers are needed to help our OP missionaries in Montevideo present a VBS!
Contact:
Rev. Mark Richline
markrichline@gmail.com
May-July 2017:
ESL Teachers Needed in South Korea
May 15 - July 21, two volunteers are urgently needed to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) at the Missionary Training Institute in South Korea!
Contact:
Ms. Mihyang Choi-Yoon
mihyangc@hotmail.com
July 2017: Team Leaders Needed for Team Praha!
Team Leaders are needed for Team Praha, traveling to the Czech Republic, July 24 - August 14, 2017! Those interested in serving in a leadership capacity, please contact:
Rev. David Crum
crum.1@opc.org
July 2017: Join the 2017 English Camp Team!
You are needed on the team traveling to the Czech Republic, July 12-24, to present the gospel in the form of an English Family Camp!
Contact:
Sherry Wagner
sherrylwagner@me.com.
Summer 2017: Join Team Haiti or Team Praha!
Teams are traveling to Haiti and the Czech Republic to help our OP missionaries with local outreach programs this summer!
Dates:
- Team Haiti: June 28-July 8, 2017
- Team Praha: July 24-Aug.14, 2017
Brochures and application forms for 2017 are forthcoming, but anyone interested may contact team organizers now:
Team Haiti Contact:
David Thibault
davidthibault@sbcglobal.net
Team Praha Contact:
David Crum
crum.1@opc.org
Summer 2017: Boardwalk Chapel
There are openings for Summer Leaders, Summer Volunteer Staff, Guest Musicians, Spring Work Teams, and Fall Youth Groups at the OPC's Boardwalk Chapel on the Jersey Shore in Wildwood, NJ!
Contact:
Jim Zozzaro
Elizabeth Horst
boardwalkchapel@gmail.com
Skilled Volunteers Needed in Neon, KY
Neon Reformed Presbyterian Church, an OP church plant in Neon, Kentucky, would be blessed to receive the help of skilled volunteers to help them complete the refurbishment of the building that houses their church and manse. Laminated flooring needs to be installed, and a master bathroom rebuilt.
Contact:
Rev. Jay Bennett
neonopc@gmail.com
Missionary Associates Needed in Uruguay
The OP Mission in Montevideo, Uruguay, is currently seeking individuals to serve as Missionary Associates in the following capacities:
To assist with outreach, evangelism, and music in the worship services (must possess at least a Limited Working Proficiency in Spanish)
To assist with missionary childcare, cooking, and cleaning (must possess at least Elementary Proficiency in Spanish).
What is a Missionary Associate?
- Click here to learn more about Missionary Associate service in the OPC
For full details on the opportunities in Uruguay, please contact:
Rev. Douglas Clawson
Associate General Secretary, Committee on Foreign Missions
douglas.clawson@opc.org
Missionary Associate Needed in Quebec
OP missionary Rev. Ben Westerveld is currently seeking a young man or woman who desires to assist in the outreach and discipleship ministries of St-Marc's Reformed Church in Quebec City, where Rev. Westerveld serves as Pastor.
Please consider applying if you:
- are a professing believer of Reformed conviction
- can speak French or desire to learn the language
- can make a commitment of at least one year
- are available to start in 2017 (or any year!)
What is a Missionary Associate?
- Click here to learn more about Missionary Associate service in the OPC
For full details on the opportunity in Quebec, please contact:
Rev. Douglas Clawson
Associate General Secretary, Committee on Foreign Missions
douglas.clawson@opc.org
Year-Round Opportunities for Service
Key West
Bring your church group for a week of classroom training and practical experience in evangelism in beautiful Key West, Florida!
Contact:
Rev. Bill Welzien
welzien.1@opc.org
Keys Evangelistic Ministries
Quebec
Join in a "Cafe Anglais" (English Cafe), reaching out to French-speaking citizens in the parks and malls of Quebec City!
Contact:
Rev. Ben Westerveld
westerveld.2@opc.org
South Korea
The Missionary Training Institute (MTI) in Yeosu, South Korea, is a residential community seeking teachers for its ESL Program.
Contact:
Mrs. Mihyang Choi-Yoon
mihyangc@hotmail.com
www.mtikorea.org
Uganda
There are many different ways to serve on a short-term basis with the OP Uganda Mission year-round!
Contact:
Mrs. Sunshine Okken
okken.1@opc.org
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? Need help with:
- Vacation Bible School?
- Community outreach?
- 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. Click below to complete a request form:
Photo: Members of Team Utah traveled from California and Michigan to Utah to help refurbish our OP church building in Magna, UT (Summer 2016)
Download a
PRINTABLE
Bulletin Insert
or 8.5 x 11 Poster
of this
S.T.O.R.M. Report
David P. Nakhla
Short-Term Missions and
Disaster Response Coordinator
Contact:
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