Vol. 6: No. 3
August 29, 2018

NEW!
Printable excerpts of the Mercy Minute for distribution or display.

Muffins, Foam Boards, Hospitals, Homeless, and Harvey

Mark Sumpter and James Roberts

I was greatly encouraged by the fellowship of the brothers in Houston. I was all the more encouraged by the warm response of Houstonians to our outreach. -- Deacon James Roberts

by Rev. Mark Sumpter
Regional Home Missionary, Presbytery of the Southwest

“Coffee’s on!”

Breakfast, devotions, and prayer every morning for two weeks kept our mini boot camp going. I turned to James more than once and said, “this IS boot camp.” Not quite standing at attention with military cadence, but the apostle Paul’s exhortation rang clear enough, “Stand therefore…having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”

Deacon James Roberts (Westminster OPC, Corvallis, OR) soloed across the country from Oregon to Texas to spend time on the streets in Houston to help carry out the Great Commission. He had called me back in January and offered, “I want to come to Houston to help with church planting and outreach. And, are you also still doing ministry with the hurricane?”

A few more plans were outlined as we talked over the weeks; and then along with his arrival in mid-July, what blessing of blessings! His own beloved congregation sent with him encouragement, prayer, and financial assistance to help in our Houston ministry! 

With Bibles, literature, and church contact information, we ventured out to do ministry…the days were full: 

● Delivering muffins to 21 businesses—a simple greeting and an invitation to worship

● Visiting 11 hard-hit “Harvey” neighbors—greeting folks, listening to hurricane stories, reading Scripture, offering prayer, and leaving a ‘blessing bag’

● Standing outside a hospital, holding signs inviting prayer—some 29 people (someone in a wheelchair, and others with saddened faces and bodies weakened by sin’s ruin) walked up asking for prayer

● Greeting people at a literature table in a city park—maybe a word of encouragement and more invitations to worship

● Holding foam board signs at a concert venue—one sign read, “Why is the Bible Important?” another read, “Why did Jesus Come?” and dozens stopped by to write answers

● Door-step visits in a neighborhood—more greetings: “we’re out stopping by homes to leave an invitation to worship.”

● Sitting down to share lunch with a homeless man—hard, challenging conversation around Psalm 139

● Gathering around a dinner table listening to a family pour out grief—last year’s Hurricane Harvey still has its crushing weight; and we talk through a portion of the Book of Philippians

It was very hot and humid in Houston, but we pressed on—to the glory of God. 

As a deacon, James carried out his own ministry back home! Nearly every day, he’d call home to members of Westminster OPC in Oregon. I’d overhear him checking in and praying over the telephone with the saints! “Brother, I’m here in Houston and God is blessing us; but I want to check on you, too. Tell me about that doctor’s appointment.”

For two weeks, linking in with brothers and sisters from our Houston congregations,  helping to serve the church plant, and supporting the OPC hurricane relief ministry proved to be hard work, but a rewarding and fruitful ministry. What a privilege to present the gospel of peace to so many! 

I have never before seen anyone run to greet us, as happened when Mark and I visited a neighborhood that had been ministered to by the OPC Hurricane Relief Ministry. Rarely have I seen such a desire for prayer as I witnessed at a hospital outreach. Just about everywhere we evangelized the response was remarkable. The people I met are presently soft to the prompting of the gospel. It seems like a good idea to me to concentrate on building God's church in the city of Houston. -- Deacon James Roberts

"It's Raining Outside,
But Not in My House"

Local and Regional Diaconal Cooperation in Michigan

This story gives an idea of how the Presbytery Diaconal Committee can help the local churches when there is a need greater than they have funds for.  It is also the story of how three churches cooperated to help someone whose parents need the gospel. -- Deacon Lynne Hunter

Story based on reports received from:

• Deacon Lynne Hunter (Harvest OPC, Wyoming, MI)
• Deacon Tom Boorsma (New City Fellowship OPC, Grand Rapids, MI)
• Deacon Doug Vos (Oakland Hills OPC, Farmington Hills, MI)

Diaconal Aid Requested

Late last spring, Darryl Bradford, an elder at New City Fellowship OPC, decided to seek diaconal assistance in replacing his Mom's roof, which was in a shambles and leaking badly.

Darryl first reached out to Deacon Doug Vos at Oakland Hills OPC, because the Oakland Hills church is closest to where his Mom lives in Detroit.

Three Churches Commit Funds

Doug communicated with Deacon Tom Boorsma of New City Fellowship, and together they assessed  the estimates that Darryl and his mother had obtained, and selected one.  It was presented to the deacons at New City Fellowship, who voted quickly and unanimously to fund a certain portion of the project. Shortly after this, the diaconates of Oakland Hills OPC and Harvest OPC each matched New City's financial commitment to the project.

The Presbytery Commits Funds

Doug then took a request to the Presbytery Diaconal Committee of the Presbytery of Michigan and Ontario, which , in less than 24 hours, committed the remaining funds needed.

Roof Replacement

On the day work on his mother's roof began, Darryl travelled across the state to enjoy the day with her. Doug and his daughter came by to visit (see photo, below). As of this writing, the roof project is complete!

Darryl and Kelli Bradford and their 3 children were members of Oakland Hills OPC for several years, but moved to Grand Rapids in 2016 and joined New City Fellowship OPC when Darryl took a job as a video producer/editor at the Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary.  Darryl, along with Walter Marshall and Framed by Grace, is an Emmy Award winning film producer.  He is also under care of the Presbytery of Michigan and Ontario - a possible future candidate for gospel ministry in the OPC. So helping Darryl's mom was an easy decision when we heard about the need!  -- Deacon Doug Vos, Oakland Hills

Overall this project has been a big blessing for me, a relatively young and new deacon, to see how the broader church can come together to be a blessing to those who need it. It recharged my mercy ministry batteries, the likes of which are often sapped of energy and vulnerable to cynicism.  -- Deacon Tom Boorsma, New City Fellowship

One of the joys today, was my Mom telling me this morning that it was raining outside but not in her house! The job is still in the process of being completed but we are already so thankful to the Lord for his awesome provision!!!! Praise the Lord Jesus!  -- Darryl  Bradford on July 27

Important Takeaways for Deacons

From Deacon Tom Boorsma:

1. Presbytery aid.  Many thanks to Doug Vos for suggesting that we seek additional financial aid at the Presbytery level, which hadn't even crossed my mind! Lots of credit due to Doug for that!
2. Limited cooks in the kitchen.  From the early going, Doug and myself were the only two deacons working with Darryl on this, even though when all was said and done probably over 30 played some part. If everyone had had an input it probably would’ve slowed things a bit. 
3. Trusting fellow deacons. There are obvious drawbacks to having one or two deacons take the lead in a case like this, because there are many benefits from having a plurality of deacons. Yet, in this case, as far as I could tell, every deacon involved trusted that Doug and I had done our due diligence and we received little to no pushback. I’m deeply grateful for that.
4. Networking. This will be different in every specific case, but I found it very helpful to know who I was working with. I’m a fellow officer with Darryl, who knows Doug from his time at Oakland Hills. I know Doug from having met him while distributing bottled water in Flint, and I know Lynne and many of Harvest’s deacons from my time there, etc. Even brief interactions with some of these men previously brought a level of reassurance that each one was doing their due diligence and we were working as a team. I think more interaction between deacons within a presbytery could further mercy ministry projects like this. 

Deacon Doug Vos, Kimberly Bradford (Darryl's mother - the home owner), Promise Vos, Darryl Bradford, and Darryl's three children: Chloe, Haven, and Josiah

Refugee Relief
in Clarkston, Georgia

New Neighbors, New Friends

by Rev. Christopher B. Cashen, Evangelist
Redeemer OPC (Atlanta, GA)

Like any other community in the United States during August, families from Syria, Afghanistan, South Africa, Ethiopia, and beyond who are living in Clarkston, Georgia, are transitioning from what appeared to be a fairly relaxed summer to a structured school day.  With the beginning of a new school year, we have restarted our after-school program again for elementary school students at Brentwood Apartments: a local apartment complex next to Clarkston.  It is our hope that through homework help, songs, games and crafts, we will shine forth the brilliant love of Jesus Christ to these children, pointing them to trust in Him as we open up lessons from the Scriptures.

The first day of our after-school program was a bit hard.  The prior week some of the children (at the school bus stop) had witnessed a young boy being hit and killed by a car on the busy street that passes in front of Brentwood Apartments.  As a result, we had the opportunity to speak to the children about how they felt, and then about the knowledge of God, the presence of God, and the perfect plan of God.  This seemed to given them comfort, as they were clearly affected by what they had seen and heard.  The children then had the opportunity to pour out their hearts as they made sympathy cards for the family of the little one who died. 

We continue to seek out families with material needs.  In a separate apartment complex where we have been serving a Syrian family with after-school tutoring, we provided two newly arrived families with school supplies and are seeking to help them both with English speaking skills.  A couple of pregnant refugee women have been assisted with transportation to and from medical appointments.  And an Afghan family was simply helped with a ride to a nearby ethnic grocery store and pharmacy.  On another front, we continue to develop a relationship with the youth at a local Ethiopian church where I have been teaching "Sunday school."  A few of us recently took a Saturday morning to hike up nearby Stone Mountain with our friends from Africa.

Please pray that the Lord might bring more children to our after-school program, more adults to our English class, and more interested people to our Bible study.  We thank the Lord for the access He has given us to the exercise room at Brentwood, and to the homes of the families who have welcomed us.  Please pray that each of these separate but related efforts will lead to conversations about the spiritual well being of our new neighbors, and salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Hurricane Relief Ministry

Two Great Opportunities for Your Diaconate to Travel, Work, and Fellowship Together

Hurricane Relief Teams Needed in Houston
Starting October 1

A few of the many volunteers who have served in Houston

Individuals and teams – especially those skilled in construction – are needed in Houston starting October 1st when the Hurricane Relief Ministry concludes a brief hiatus. The majority of the work taking place will be reconstruction, and many of these tasks require specialized skills.

From Steve Larson, Regional Disaster Response Coordinator:

• There have been 284 volunteers to date.
• We give thanks to God for the work that he has allowed us to do so far in the Houston area to contribute to the Hurricane Harvey recovery effort.
• The impact of Hurricane Harvey on the lives of millions of people and thousands of businesses is still being profoundly felt and experienced, and has afforded the OPC an opportunity to step in and help people at a very basic level, both physically and spiritually.
• We have been so blessed and encouraged by the many volunteers who have sacrificially given of their time.
• It has been a true testament to the unity of the body and a single-minded purpose to share in the kingdom work of Jesus Christ together.

Click here to learn more about the Houston Hurricane Relief Ministry

Contact us now to express your interest/availability:

Hurricane Relief Teams Needed in Puerto Rico
Starting October 1

We have been limited in our ability to do hurricane relief work in Puerto Rico since last fall's Hurricane Maria, mostly due to the long-term loss of power, electricity, water, internet, etc., that complicated the lives of the people there following the hurricane. Ways in which we could come in and help were not readily apparent at that time, but now that power is restored, we are able to focus on damaged homes and other projects that we can work on.

• Individuals or teams are encouraged to serve
• A team of 4-8 is best for lodging purposes.
• If you have a smaller team, we could combine your team with one from another church.
• Team members must be 18 years of age or older.

• Service will include:
  • manual labor requiring varying degrees of skill
  • team members who can support and serve the skilled team
  • perhaps helping the OPC churches in Puerto Rico with community outreach
• OPC Disaster Response will be partially covering expenses
• We are planning to send teams in October, November, and December, and into the new year
• We would like to work with your availability, if possible. Let us know ASAP if there are dates that are particularly good for you or your team to go to Puerto Rico this fall.

Contact us now to express your interest/availability:

Other ways deacons can participate in hurricane relief work:

1. If your church has diaconal funds that could be used to sponsor the travel and meals for those in your congregation who wish to volunteer, make this known.
2. Organize a team of those within your church whom you know to have the time or talents to serve as volunteers. 

Help Wanted

Resources for Deacons

Do you want to hold a Diaconal Conference in your Presbytery?

The CDM is available to provide guidance and funding to presbyteries that wish to hold a regional diaconal conference.

Contact David Nakhla for further information.