No images? Click here
Vol. 8: No. 1
February 20, 2020
This thank-you letter was sent to Len Richards almost ten years after participating in disaster response work following Hurricane Katrina.
Disaster Response:
Where Does My Help Come From?
by Len Richards, Deacon, New Life OPC, Williamsport, PA
Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Disasters can be like alarm clocks, shouting, “Wake up! Love each other! Pray!” The OPC Disaster Response coordinator recently introduced a video to local OPC churches chronicling its efforts after Hurricane Harvey deposited over four feet of rain on the Houston area. After seeing the impact the local church made, with help from OP Churches all over the country, I am struck by opportunity–opportunity to listen to the cries of those suffering. But most of us aren’t ready to respond immediately are we? It is never too late, though, to begin to prepare. How does one go about that?
Before jumping into action, it’s wise to ask yourself, “why go?” We are called to reach out with mercy and compassion. We are witnesses to suffering as well as the changes that occur through hands-on involvement. Matthew 5:16 instructs us to, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” The work of our hands helps to break down barriers and gives the opportunity to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ – with or without words.
Some initial steps as you consider may look like this:
- Pray, asking the Lord for wisdom. Psalm 34:4 promises, “I sought the Lord and He delivered me from all my fears.” Every circumstance is an opportunity to pray together.
- Share your desire to serve with others who know you well.
- Talk with your pastor, elders or deacons about the possibility of your church providing a team.
- Consider obtaining leave from work, how you could finance any effort: leadership, lodging, food preparation, travel, etc.
- Visit the OPC Disaster Response website: www.opcdisasterreponse.org to find out more about the efforts the denomination is making to ease the suffering of those affected by a disaster.
- Sign up on the OPC Disaster Response Registry (see button below) where you can be among the first to hear about the opportunities that become available. There is no obligation to serve.
We are all called to carry the message of Christ to all nations and this is one way to do just that.
Hear the sons of Korah call from Psalm 46:1-2, “God is our refuge and our strength an ever-present help in times of trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
About Deacon Len Richards:
I'm Len Richards, a deacon at New Life OPC in Williamsport, PA. I wandered in a wilderness of deception for 38 years. The Lord rescued me from despair and broke the chains of bondage to sin. I soon arrived at Church of the Covenant in Hackettstown, NJ and found that I was home.
After being trained for leadership by Pastor Ron Pearce, God revealed that He had prepared and equipped me for diaconal service to His church. For 23 years at two OP churches, I have served the kingdom in whatever circumstances He has uncovered along the way. The joy of existence is made abundantly manifest in service to the King and His people. Jim Elliot once noted, "The man who won't act until he knows it all, will never act at all." I heard His whisper, "Whom shall I send?" and I responded, "Send me!" May that be the exclamation of us all.
Do you have an experience or encouragement you'd like to share?
Disaster Response Video: The Houston Story
Have you shown the disaster response video at your church? If you are not yet familiar with it, this inspirational video portrays the impact of those blessed by the effort of the OPC Disaster Response volunteers.
Additional resources are available, designed to assist you in presenting the video to your congregation.
Deacon Challenge!
Invite ten people in your church to sign up for the disaster response registry. It only takes a few minutes to enroll and it will help ensure we are ready for the next disaster! If they have questions, please direct them to our newly published, "Frequently Asked Questions" or contact us: opcdisasterresponse@opc.org.
We currently have 170 registrants with a goal of 300 by hurricane season!
Those who register receive our disaster response newsletter which has special updates and information about the opportunities for service.
An Unexpected Opportunity
by David Nakhla,
Administrator for the Committee on Diaconal Ministries
On my way back from a recent trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan where I led a diaconal conference, I was unexpectedly thrust into an opportunity to bear someone else's burden. Because the encounter was so rare and timely, I recalled it in an email to the group with whom I had just met. May this remind you, as it did to me, to pray for opportunities like this, despite our worry that we are not fully prepared. The Holy Spirit who ordains such occasions will also give the right words to speak.
Brothers,
As you will recall, I had encouraged you to pray that the Lord might give you opportunities to minister mercy. Well, I had not prayed that for myself (maybe one of you did for me) but for some reason, the Lord saw fit to bless me with a divine appointment on my trip home.
Sitting at the airport awaiting my flight from Grand Rapids to Chicago, a young man (23) sits next to me. He breaks the ice, introducing himself as Tanner, asking if I’m in Grand Rapids on business. “Not really business…I work for the church and was here to do some training.” “Oh, you’re with the church? Do you mind if I share something with you?” I hesitantly respond, “Sure”. He then goes on to share with me that he is heading to Wisconsin because both his father and brother (16) were killed in an auto accident the previous night! I was speechless! I really didn’t know what to say other than “I’m so sorry!”. He really just wanted a listening ear. After a bit of talking, and as boarding neared, I asked him if I could pray for him. He responded that it was exactly what he hoped I would do. I placed my hand on his shoulder and prayed for him, as best I knew how. It’s so difficult to even know how to pray under such circumstances, but the Lord gives the words even in our weakness. After praying, he gave me a huge hug.
We boarded the flight. Being a nearly empty flight, he urged me to sit next to him. Throughout the flight, he continued to share with me his conflicting emotions. Before getting off the plane, we swapped phone numbers, giving me the opportunity to continue to encourage him. We have since texted back and forth.
Brothers, I couldn’t help but think that we have no idea what the person sitting right next to us is going through, do we? This was a divine appointment, planned out by God. This type of interaction doesn’t occur every day for me…so I couldn’t help but correlate it to the content of our meeting together. Praise the Lord, and may He use the training and time thinking about these things to open up such doors for you as you go about as servants of Christ!
Please pass these opportunities on to your congregation!
Urgent Needs:
- Nanny to help with the VanEssendelft's nine children.
- A Leader for Team Uganda 2020
OPC Diaconal Training
is Available for Your Area!
Hold a diaconal training conference in your area! We have prepared materials and resources to share with you to help you with your diaconal efforts. A training conference is a great opportunity to network with other deacons and learn what they are doing and lift each other up in prayer. Contact David Nakhla to learn more about the benefits.
CDM Brochure
It's in the mail!
Bet you've heard that phrase before, but it's true! The CDM's new brochure has been mailed to all OP Churches. Please look for it soon! It's not only a handy resource for deacons, but also provides others with an overview of the denominational work of the Committee on Diaconal Ministries, and includes contact information, how to donate, and more.
If you don't receive them or if you'd like more, feel free to contact us: diaconalministries@opc.org.
Resources for Deacons
Have you missed issues of
"The Mercy Minute"?
We want to hear from you!
Share what your deacons are doing locally!
Did you know there's an OPC Deacons Facebook private group?
Know OP Deacons who are not receiving this newsletter?
Videos for Training and Encouragement:
Editor: David P. Nakhla
Administrator, CDM
david.nakhla@opc.org
(562) 760-7606
The Mercy Minute, a quarterly newsletter of the Committee on Diaconal Ministries, is intended to keep OPC deacons informed and encouraged in their labors. It may include opportunities for networking or training, describe the work that a local diaconate or presbytery diaconal committee is engaged in, or bring attention to a need in the OPC.
The Mercy Minute is sent to all OPC officers with whom the CDM has had contact, in hopes that it will be forwarded on to more deacons.
Trish Duggan, Administrative Assistant, CDM
trish.duggan@opc.org
