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Volume 11 No. 4
March 25, 2022
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord,
and he will repay him for his deed."
—Proverbs 19:17
Ukraine Crisis Fund Update—
Working Together
by David Nakhla, Administrator for the Committee on Diaconal Ministries
The OPC Committee on Diaconal Ministries rejoices in the generous and rapid response to the Ukraine Crisis Fund, now at $288,000, giving evidence of the concern for OPC missionaries in Ukraine, and all those to whom and with whom they minister. As you may know, OPC missionaries, Heero and Anya Hacquebord, serve as part of a Mission To the World (the PCA’s foreign missions committee) team in Ukraine. The MTW team has had a long presence in Ukraine, dating back to the fall of the Iron Curtain in the early 90’s. The Hacquebords continue to be well and find great comfort in the prayers of God’s people.
Immediately following Russia’s recent invasion into Ukraine, the MTW team in Ukraine launched a plan to minister both to those staying in Ukraine and to those fleeing as refugees. MTW opened a fund with the goal of raising $2 million. After one week, that fund had grown to more than $1 million! Seeing both the rate of funds coming in and the growing needs due to the conflict, the team raised the fund’s goal to $4 million. That fund is now at almost $3 million. The Refugee Ministry Subcommittee of the OPC CDM met recently and determined to contribute $70,000 from the Ukraine Crisis Fund to support the MTW team’s efforts.
Opportunity to Serve
Mission To the World (PCA) is currently taking applications to gather basic information from people willing to serve MTW Ukraine’s crisis response efforts. This form is only step one. No short term trips are planned at this time but they will be in touch as teams and trips develop. Mission to the World (PCA) is building a list of people with special skill sets and a willingness to help with efforts both in Ukraine and in bordering countries. They are also using this interest form to build and develop their crisis response teams.
Opportunities and Updates
The Uganda Mission
IMMEDIATE NEED – Facilities Engineer in Karamoja, Uganda
With the Van Essendelfts scheduled to return to the States in April, there is an immediate need for a Facilities Engineer to serve in Uganda. While short-term help is welcome, there is a longer-term need for one to go serve alongside Mark Van Essendelft upon his return to the field next January. Support package negotiable.
If this would be something you would like to explore further, please don’t hesitate to contact Douglas Clawson directly.
The Boardwalk Chapel
End of April or Early May: Work groups are invited to come to the Chapel to help get it ready for the summer season.
May 26-30: We need more open air preachers in our country, and we are asking God to raise up young men to this wonderful and glorious end. Men, young and old, who have a desire or growing burden to engage in open air preaching are encouraged to join us in Wildwood. You will be encouraged. You will be taught. You will be challenged.
Churches Helping Churches
Is it overwhelming to think about gathering volunteers for projects, refugee ministry or vacation Bible school? Consider reaching out to short-term missions to ask for staffing help!
Youth Group Opportunities
Is your youth group looking for an opportunity to serve? Why not consider helping a sister OP Church? OPC Short-Term Missions can help connect you with a needy church.
OPC Committee on Diaconal Ministries Update
Are you drawn to mercy ministry or do you see yourself working to help those who serve the Lord by helping others? The Committee on Diaconal Ministries of the OPC is searching for an additional part-time (20-25 hours/week) team member! The Committee is looking for an outgoing and organized person who is eager to aid the work of those who serve in mercy ministry, through our work with the OPC deacons, short-term missions and disaster response. Get all the details!
Deacons, have you ever attended a conference and were so charged up by it that you felt like you could tackle almost anything? That's what participants of previous National Diaconal Summits tell us.
This three-day event for deacons and deacons-in-training proves to be a rich time of instruction, encouragement and fellowship. Nearly 1,000 deacons serve in the OPC and the summit allows these men to connect as brothers, sharing their burdens and joys. The summit only comes along once every four to five years, and every summit is different, so you don’t want to miss this one. The earlier registrants will have their first choice of workshops, so don’t delay! All registration fees will be waived if you register by April 1, 2022--that's only 7 days away!
The Reformed Deacon Podcast Latest Episode: Why You Should Attend the National Diaconal Summit in June
In the March episode of "The Reformed Deacon" Pastor Nathan Trice and deacons Chris Sudlow, Geno Altiery and Mark Palmer sit down to reminisce about past Summits and what they meant to them. Chris tells us about the what we can expect for this summer's Summit. You won't want to miss the episode, and we think it may leave you not wanting to miss the Summit this June. Find it on your favorite podcast player. Take a listen and follow The Reformed Deacon podcast!
Distribute to your church!
Get the PDF summary of this STORM Report as a poster or bulletin insert.
Short-Term Missions
OPC Disaster Response
Committee on Diaconal Ministries
David P. Nakhla
Short-Term Missions and
Disaster Response Coordinator
215-935-1007
david.nakhla@opc.org
Sarah Klazinga
Administrative Assistant
Short-Term Missions and Disaster Response
sarah.klazinga@opc.org
Trish Duggan
Communications Coordinator,
Short-Term Missions and Disaster Response
trish.duggan@opc.org
