The Mercy Minute: Fat with Good Things
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Vol. 9: No. 4
October 4, 2021
Fat with Good Things
by Sarah Klazinga, Administrative Assistant
for the Committee on Diaconal Ministries
“When people are captured by the whole Word of God, it’s like a gentle rain that waters the earth; over time you see fruit.” That was Pastor Justin Rosser’s comment on how the faithful ministry of the preached Word has worked itself out into Word and deed opportunities in his congregation. As one man has put it, “Your theology always comes out your fingertips.”
Rosser is the associate pastor at Resurrection OPC, in Matthews, NC; part of the greater Charlotte area. Resurrection has had a faithful pulpit ministry since its founding in 1975, and has most recently been pastored by Nathan Trice since 1996. Trice also serves as the President of the Committee on Diaconal Ministries.
In the meantime, watch this clip from the 2017 National Diaconal Summit. Rev. Nathan Trice speaks here on James 1:27, highlighting the book's emphasis on the practice of Christian living and diaconal ministry. Watch the entire video and more on our Vimeo channel.
New CDM Member,
Tim Hopper
The deacon is called to enable the church to love the Lord with heart, soul, mind, and strength as we free the Session for their ministry of word and prayer; likewise, we are called to love our neighbor (and call the congregation to love their neighbor) as we minister to the poor, sick, and lonely. In this way, the calling of the deacon is a calling of obedience to the greatest commandments, and it is a privilege for me to serve in this calling.
Mark and Carla Van Essendelft
An Update from Missionary Deacon Mark Van Essendelft
The Van Essendelfts have been back in Uganda for more than three weeks, having spent two months in North Carolina over the summer. Mark reports that after a long dry spell, Karamoja is suddenly being inundated with rain. The crops have gone from suffering from not enough water to now too much water. With the loss of this crop, Mark anticipates a difficult season of hunger in the region come February. Pray that he has wisdom as he interacts with the local people, striving to encourage them toward ways to prepare for the difficult days that are ahead.
Coming November 2021!
Turns out, there isn't a podcast out there specifically for reformed deacons, until now—hence our name, "The Reformed Deacon." Scheduling and recording have begun with episodes on disaster response, refugee ministry, local deacon Tim Hopper, as well as an interview with Dr. Cornelius VanDam. Many of you may know him from his book, The Deacon: Biblical Foundations for Today's Ministry of Mercy, and so many more. Look for our podcast on your favorite podcast provider, Lord willing, beginning in November. We'll keep you posted!
Shiloh OPC deacons: Leo Barcley, Brandon Gresham, Art Allen,
Tim Hopper, McRay Simmons, Pete Tola
Deacons of Shiloh OPC in Raleigh, NC
Deacon Brandon Gresham has been serving Shiloh OPC for about a year, and says that as a new deacon, this time has been incredibly sanctifying. He has been blessed by the godly example of his fellow deacons who have been serving longer and are showing him a deep compassion for God's people.
Deacon Art Allen has been married to his wife for twenty-five years, and they have one grown son. Art has been serving as a deacon at Shiloh OPC for eleven months, seeing that the Lord has gifted him with many abilities that seem compatible with diaconal ministry and that he loves working with his fellow officers in the church.
Deacon McRay Simmons speaks warmly of the closeness of the brothers on the diaconate and of their unified desire to serve one another and the families they are called to minister to, sharing personally that, "As I have worked alongside my fellow deacons in serving others, the Lord has used those opportunities to show me my own sin and need for His grace and helped me focus on being an agent of His grace to others in more meaningful ways."
As the COVID-19 situation remains volatile around the world, the Committee on Diaconal Ministries keeps the CPR Fund open for donations to relieve the daily burdens of our brothers and sisters around the world. Thus far $104,440.19 has been raised thus far. Praise the Lord!
The CDM website (OPCCDM.org) is now on the go!
Here's how to get it:
1. Go to your app store
2. Search for "The Sharefaith App"
3. Install & Open
4. Find your church: (Caps needed) "OPC CDM"
5. Save
6. Choose "My Ministry" for the app icon
7. Start a discussion, find videos resources and much more!
Is this your first Mercy Minute newsletter?
Welcome! We are actively updating our database of deacons and we're glad we've reached you! If you know of another OPC deacon who is not receiving these important newsletter updates, please let us know.
We also have a private OPC Deacon's Facebook page if you'd like to join in the conversation there.
Stay up-to-date with what's going on in
OPC Short Term Missions and Disaster Response:
Editor: David P. Nakhla
Administrator, CDM
david.nakhla@opc.org
(215) 935-1007
Trish Duggan, Communications Coordinator, CDM
trish.duggan@opc.org
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.
