December STORM Report: Historic Tornadoes Hit the U.S.
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Volume 10 No. 15
December 15, 2021
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. —Isaiah 9:6
Historic Tornadoes Hit the U.S.
As you may have heard, historically powerful and widespread tornadoes touched down in the early morning hours of Saturday, December 11 across six states, from from the South to the Midwest. It is suspected that at least 30 tornadoes touched down within just a few hours, leaving devastating destruction and casualties. We thank the Lord that there is no known direct impact to the OPC from these tornadoes. MNA Disaster Response (of the PCA) will likely be mobilizing, pending confirmation of the impact on their churches. If you would like to donate or volunteer, we commend this like-minded sister organization to you.
For those who would prefer to donate through the OPC, gifts can be made to the Committee on Diaconal Ministries (CDM), designating it for "Tornado Response". The CDM may then consider passing those along, as one lump sum, to the MNA Disaster Response or another organization, as this unfolds.
Join with us in prayer for those many affected families and individuals.
OPC Short-Term Missions is Making a
Comeback in 2022
By Trish Duggan, Communications Coordinator, OPC Short-Term Missions
No doubt you’ve noticed the near-depleted list of short-term mission opportunities over the past two years due to COVID restrictions. But praise the Lord, things seem to be changing and we’re encouraged! According to the travel site, Kayak, as of November 24, 2021, the borders of five countries are now open, with no restrictions. 166 countries’ borders are open, with limited restrictions, and only 53 countries’ borders remain closed.
Maybe you have been waiting in the wings for restrictions to lift in order to serve in an international short-term missions’ capacity. This may be just the time for you to jump into—or back into—short-term missions service. Missionaries, serving near and far, have spent much of these past two years without the encouragement and blessing of regular visitors—vital for their health and the success of the mission.
Opportunities and Updates
Czech Republic —
Team Praha Three Weeks Summer 2022
"The main goal of Team Praha is sowing the seeds of the gospel. When Team Praha comes, the missionary family (Jerry and Marilyn Farnik) that the team serves can reach a much larger amount of people than if they were to do all these camps without help or if they did not do these camps at all. I remember going over and over the parable of the sower in my mind before leaving, thinking about how that should shape our ministry. And it did!" --Leah Baugh, Escondido OPC, Escondido, California
Summer Missionary Internship Program—Ukraine
Many young people feel they may be called to cross-cultural missions, but need a place to test their gifts and gain some valuable training and experience with personal oversight. Others know they are in need of more experience before launching into a longer-term commitment in cross-cultural missions abroad or at home.
Sound like you? This opportunity could be for you.
The Uganda Mission
Teachers continue to be needed to serve with the Karamoja Education Outreach as well as other areas in Uganda. Both short-term and missionary associate opportunities are available now!
The Boardwalk Chapel
The Boardwalk Chapel continues to look for volunteer staff for the music, evangelism, and drama team. The positions are filling up, but there are still a few openings for people to fill.
Junior Staff Positions Open: Junior Staff is for those ages 16-17. Come on staff from either June 25 - July 23 or July 30 - August 27. Junior staff will receive mentorship, daily evangelism training, and will participate in nightly programs and evening evangelism.
Churches Helping Churches
Need extra hands to get a Vacation Bible School off the ground for the summer of 2022, or maybe a maintenance or outreach project you've been putting off because of a shortage of help?
Or is an opportunity to serve a church just what you are looking for? OPC Short-Term Missions can pair you up with a church in need of help!
The Latest
Thank you for your continued support to the COVID-19 Pandemic Response Fund. To date, $104,659.19 has been received, and the CDM continues to keep this fund open for donations in the event of other dire requests. The CDM has disbursed $84,695.00 of that to brothers and sisters around the world. Thank you for your contributions and prayers!
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
Trish Duggan
Communications Coordinator,
Short-Term Missions and Disaster Response
trish.duggan@opc.org
Sarah Klazinga
Administrative Assistant
Short-Term Missions and Disaster Response
sarah.klazinga@opc.org
