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February 24, 2023
Devastation in Turkey and Syria
We continue to be gripped by the dreadful stream of news coming out of central Turkey and northern Syria following the devastating earthquakes that began on February 6. It’s encouraging to have already received more than $82,000 in the first two weeks since the OPC Turkey Earthquake Fund was opened. We anticipate many opportunities to use these funds to the glory of Christ and for the good of his church once the initial relief phase has been completed by first responders. May the Lord guide and direct those in the midst of this trial, bringing comfort and peace through the suffering and sorrow.
Crates for Ukraine Update
We've had a tremendous outpouring of love for the Crates for Ukraine effort from the OPC family! We may not make our goal of 400 crates by March 1, but we're very thankful for each church who worked hard to participate. The Lord provides and we are very grateful! As of today, the PCA effort in total is reporting nearly 900 crates registered to be sent to Ukraine. Praise the Lord and may those in need be blessed! There are still five days left to register, if your church is interested.
Debris continues to pile up along
the streets in Neon
Six Months after Kentucky's Thousand Year Flood
After six months, some may wonder why there’s still a need for help in Neon. Seth Long, an elder at Neon Reformed OPC, answers by describing the area’s current landscape: “The whole thing looks like a scene from The Hunger Games. It's dark; it's still muddy, there's still dirt on the streets, there are storefronts boarded up and down the streets.”
Opportunities and Updates
- Boardwalk Chapel
- Canada
- Czech Republic English Camp (Full!)
- Czech Republic (Team Praha)
- Japan
- Mexico
- South Korea
- Uganda
- Uruguay
More opportunities are being added often! Check our website to see the latest information.
- Crates for Ukraine
- Neon, Kentucky Flooding: Spring Volunteers Needed
- Turkey Earthquake Fund
- Ukraine Crisis Fund
- Register as a Disaster Response Volunteer (There are 490 registered volunteers to date.)
The Reformed Deacon
We’re excited to be releasing three episodes in the next week!
The first one, a special episode, “Church Life and Ministry During War” was released today. We couldn’t let the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine go by without refocusing on the amazing video report OPC missionary Heero Hacquebord gave us back in December. With that in mind, we’re using the audio from that video for the episode. And you’ll want to be sure to hear the brief update on our winter “Crates for Ukraine” OPC participation.
The second episode, entitled “ICRC Diaconal Committee," will drop on our usual schedule for the month, March 1. In this episode, David Nakhla takes the show on the road to Namibia, South Africa to interview the International Conference for Reformed Churches (ICRC) Diaconal Committee. This seven-member group from six continents meets quarterly by zoom and in person every two years to discuss matters of concern for the reformed church and how to continue to grow and bless one another. With the world events happening around us, there's no better time to understand how like-minded churches can encourage and enable one another in the many realms of international diaconal work.
And the third, “Neon Kentucky: Six Months After the Flood,” will be released on March 3. This episode is an interview our producer, Trish Duggan, had with Neon Reformed OPC elder Seth Long as he describes the current landscape of Neon and why, six months after the flash flood, this community continues to need the love of Christ shown by volunteers from OPC Disaster Response. You won’t want to miss it!
You can find The Reformed Deacon on your favorite podcast player. Please like, share and comment.
Contact us!
DAVID NAKHLA
Administrator, OPC Short-Term Missions and Disaster Response
David.Nakhla@opc.org
TRISH DUGGAN
Communications Coordinator,
OPC Short-Term Missions and Disaster Response
Trish.Duggan@opc.org
ALLISON GROOT
Administrative Assistant, OPC Short-Term Missions and Disaster Response
allison.groot@opc.org
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve,
and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45
