Cherry Hills Community Church pastor Curt Taylor the guest for “In All Things” podcast episode 79

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Curt Taylor

Curt Taylor, Pastor of Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, Colo., is the guest for episode 79 of the EPC’s podcast, “In All Things.” Cherry Hills is the host church for the EPC’s 43rd General Assembly / Gospel Priorities Summit, June 20-22, and this episode begins a four-week series featuring the Assembly’s worship service speakers.

Host Dean Weaver and Taylor discuss Cherry Hills’ excitement in hosting this year’s General Assembly / Gospel Priorities Summit. Taylor also describes his path to Colorado and the EPC from Texas, including some of the challenges and opportunities in sharing the gospel in those two culturally different parts of the country. He also relates some ways the church can address division in culture.

Episodes are available on a variety of podcast platforms, including Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, and others. Search “In All Things” on any of these services.

The audio recordings also are available on the EPC website at www.epc.org/inallthings.

Effective Biblical Leadership insights a key component of 43rd General Assembly / Gospel Priorities Summit

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The EPC’s 43rd General Assembly/Gospel Priorities Summit features training and equipping sessions based on the denomination’s four Gospel Priorities of Church Planting, Church Health, Global Movement, and Effective Biblical Leadership. This year’s Assembly takes place June 20-22 at Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, Colo.

Addressing the priority of Effective Biblical Leadership, several EPC pastors and other leaders will provide guidance in becoming a more effective leader, pastoral transitions, Reformed theology, pastoral health, and more.

Tuesday, June 20  

  • Networking Lunch: “Disability Ministry and Support.” Hosted by Michelle Munger, author of Margins of Grace: Becoming Champions of Faith and Family in the Midst of Disability.
  • Networking Lunch: “How to Revitalize your Leadership Pipeline.” Hosted by Scott Manor, President of Knox Theological Seminary in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
  • Networking Lunch: “Navigating the Letters (LGBTQ+) with a Family Member.” Hosted by Scott Kingry, Program Director for Where Grace Abounds.
  • Networking Lunch: “Revival and Revivalism in American Presbyterianism.” Hosted by Don Fortson, Professor of Church History and Pastoral Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary’s Charlotte, N.C., campus.

Wednesday, June 21

  • Plenary Session: “What Is an Effective Biblical Leader?” Led by Michael Davis, EPC Assistant Stated Clerk.
  • Networking Lunch: “Executive Pastors and Church Administrators.” Hosted by Patrick Coelho, EPC Chief Financial Officer.
  • Networking Lunch: “Revelation 7:9: How to be a Community-Conscious Congregation.” Hosted by Rufus Smith, Senior Pastor of Hope Church in Cordova, Tenn., and Co-Chairman of the EPC Revelation 7:9 Task Force.
  • Networking Lunch: “Sharpening Parent Skills Amidst Today’s Adolescent Crisis.” Hosted by Bill Senyard, President of Gospel App Ministries.
  • Networking Lunch: “Small Church Leadership: Developing the Body In Its Call to Hope.” Hosted by Bill Crawford, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Thibodaux, La., and First Presbyterian Church in Houma, La.; and Suzanne Zampella, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Dexter, N.M., and First Presbyterian Church of Hagerman, N.M.
  • Networking Lunch: “The Contemporary Significance of Westminster Divine Edward Reynolds (1599-1676).” Hosted by Jeff Jeremiah, EPC Stated Clerk Emeritus.

Thursday, June 22

  • Equipping Session 1: “A Fond Farewell: Navigating a Healthy Pastoral Transition.” Led by Kent Mathews, President of Heartland Theological Seminary in Kansas City and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for the Presbytery of the Great Plains; and Annie Rose, EPC Director of Ministerial Support and Development and Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of the Rivers and Lakes.
  • Equipping Session 2: “A Most Vital Expression: Using the Westminster Standards in the 21st Century and Beyond.” Led by Zach Hopkins, Pastor of Edgington Presbyterian Church in Taylor Ridge, Ill.; and Marcos Ortega, Lead Pastor of the Beacon, N.Y., campus of Goodwill Church.
  • Equipping Session 3: “Pastoral Health and Effectiveness.” Led by Kent Mathews, Doug Resler, and Rachel White. Mathews serves as President of Heartland Theological Seminary in Kansas City and is the Coordinator of the EPC’s Mentored Apprenticeship Program (MAP). Resler serves as Senior Pastor of Parker Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Parker, Colo. White serves as Pastor for Lifegroups and Alpha at Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church in Gig Harbor, Wash.
  • Networking Lunch: “Healthy Leadership Development in Church Planting.” Hosted by Cron Gibson, Founder and Executive Director of Hopewell Equipping and Counseling Center in Virginia Beach, Va.
  • Networking Lunch: “Liturgical Worship, the Regulative Principle, and Presbyterianism.” Hosted by Zac Hicks, Pastor of Church of the Cross in Birmingham, Ala.
  • Networking Lunch: “Reaching a Generation Like None Other.” Hosted by Jen Burkholder, Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO).
  • Networking Lunch: “The Awakening Power of a Great Question.” Hosted by Dave Meserve, Affiliate Coach for PastorServe.
  • Networking Lunch: “The Power of Rest: Embracing Sabbaticals for Ministry Health.” Hosted by Roy Yanke, Executive Director of PIR Ministries.

Online registration with a cost of $345 per person runs until June 15. The registration fee includes lunch each day, while on-campus dinners Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are optional at a cost of $30 per person. Late registration begins June 15 with a fee of $395 per person.

For more information about the 43rd General Assembly / Gospel Priorities Summit and to register, see www.epc.org/ga2023. For full details about all the equipping opportunities on the EPC’s four Gospel Priorities, go to www.epc.org/ga2023gospelprioritiessummit.

43rd General Assembly / Gospel Priorities Summit offers numerous helps and insights on EPC Global Movement efforts

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The EPC’s 43rd General Assembly/Gospel Priorities Summit features training and equipping sessions based on the denomination’s four Gospel Priorities of Church Planting, Church Health, Global Movement, and Effective Biblical Leadership. This year’s Assembly takes place June 20-22 at Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, Colo.

Addressing the priority of Global Movement, a variety of gatherings and equipping sessions will focus on how EPC World Outreach serves EPC congregations to reach the 3 billion people in the world with least access to the gospel.

 Tuesday, June 20

  •  Plenary Session: “Sharpening our Focus on the 3 Billion.” Led by Matthew Ellison, Mary Ho, and John Love. Ellison is the President of Sixteen:Fifteen, a ministry that provides mission coaching for churches. Ho is the International Executive Leader of All Nations International, a global Christian missions agency. Love is an EPC Teaching Elder serving with EPC World Outreach and Pioneers.
  • Networking Lunch: “World Outreach: Home from the Field.” Hosted by Shawn Stewart, Coordinator of Field Development and Co-op Support for EPC World Outreach.

Wednesday, June 21

  • Networking Lunch: “Meet Our Newly Commissioned Global Workers.” Hosted by Saul and Jesse Huber, Coordinators of Mobilization for EPC World Outreach.

Thursday, June 22

  • Equipping Session 1: “A Touch of Kairos: Simply Mobilizing & EPC World Outreach.” Led by Nancy Cimprich, Colleen Di Raddo, and Randy H. Cimprich and H. serve with EPC World Outreach; Di Raddo serves as National Coordinator for Simply Mobilizing-USA.
  • Equipping Session 2: “Practically, What Does it Take to Reach the 3 Billion?” Led by Mary Ho, International Executive Leader of All Nations International.
  • Equipping Session 3: “The Mobilized Church: Keys to Unlock Missions Potential in Your Church.” Led by Matthew Ellison, President of Sixteen:Fifteen.
  • Networking Lunch: “ITEN Partnership and Training Ministries.” Hosted by Mike Kuhn, Director of the International Theological Education Network (ITEN) of EPC World Outreach.
  • Networking Lunch: “Next Generation Missions.” Hosted by Saul and Jesse Huber, Coordinators of Mobilization for EPC World Outreach.

In addition to the equipping and networking opportunities, the annual World Outreach banquet—now known as the Gospel Priorities Dinner—will be held on Tuesday, June 20. World Outreach global workers will share stories of how they have witnessed God working among some of the least-reached peoples in the world. An additional World Outreach dinner on Wednesday, June 21, will provide opportunity to hear how God is at work in the five strategic priorities of EPC World Outreach: prayer, least-access peoples, partnership and sending, word and deed, and church engagement.

In the evening worship service on Tuesday, World Outreach will commission its newest global workers. The speaker for the service is Mike Kuhn, Director of the International Theological Education Network (ITEN) of EPC World Outreach.

Online registration with a cost of $345 per person runs until June 15. The registration fee includes lunch each day, while on-campus dinners Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are optional at a cost of $30 per person. Late registration begins June 15 with a fee of $395 per person.

For more information about these and other World Outreach activities, see www.epc.org/ga2023worldoutreachevents. For more information about the 43rd General Assembly / Gospel Priorities Summit and to register, see www.epc.org/ga2023. For full details about all the equipping opportunities on the EPC’s four Gospel Priorities, go to www.epc.org/ga2023gospelprioritiessummit.

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Church Health equipping opportunities abound at the 43rd General Assembly / Gospel Priorities Summit

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The EPC’s 43rd General Assembly / Gospel Priorities Summit features training and equipping sessions based on the denomination’s four Gospel Priorities of Church Planting, Church Health, Global Movement, and Effective Biblical Leadership. This year’s Assembly takes place June 20-22 at Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, Colo.

Numerous opportunities are planned to help attendees learn more about the EPC Church Health Team’s strategies for personal and corporate evangelism, as well as the critical role a Transitional Pastor can play in church health while shepherding a congregation that is between installed pastors.

Wednesday, June 21

  • Plenary Session: “Celebrating Evangelism in the EPC” led by Thomas D., Jeff Moore, Bob Stauffer, and Mark V.; and “Love Thy Neighborhood” led by Keon Abner and Marc de Jeu. Abner is the Founding Pastor of Bridge City Church in Cleveland, Ohio; de Jeu serves as Church Health Coordinator and Mission Mobilizer for the Presbytery of the Alleghenies; D. and V. serve with EPC World Outreach; Moore is the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Aurora, Ill.; and Stauffer serves as the EPC’s National Director of Church Health.
  • Networking Lunch: “Come and Ask Your Church Health Questions.” Hosted by Bob Stauffer and members of the EPC National Church Health Team.

 Thursday, June 22

  • Equipping Session 1: “Building an Evangelistic Culture Utilizing 3 Circles.” Led by Mark Farrell, Pastor of Tampa Covenant Church in Tampa, Fla.
  • Equipping Session 2: “Do Less Better: The Power of Focus in your Church’s Health.” Led by Stefan Bomberger, Pastor of Manoa Community Church in Manoa, Pa.
  • Equipping Session 3: “Help, Our Pastor Left … What’s Next?” Led by Bill Rasch, Director of Transitional Pastor Ministries in West Lafayette, Ind., and member of the Church Health Team.
  • Networking Lunch: “Discerning and Engaging the Culture Through Film.” Hosted by Ritchey Cable, Pastor of Gashland Presbyterian Church in Kansas City and screenwriter of the feature-length film, “The Author.”

Online registration with a cost of $345 per person runs until June 15. The registration fee includes lunch each day, while on-campus dinners Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are optional at a cost of $30 per person. Late registration begins June 15 with a fee of $395 per person.

For more information about the 43rd General Assembly / Gospel Priorities Summit and to register, see www.epc.org/ga2023. For full details about all the equipping opportunities on the EPC’s four Gospel Priorities, go to www.epc.org/ga2023gospelprioritiessummit.

“In All Things” podcast episode 78 features Rosemary Lukens reflecting on year as EPC Moderator

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Rosemary Lukens, Moderator of the 42nd General Assembly and Ruling Elder for Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church in Gig Harbor, Wash., is the guest for episode 78 of the EPC’s podcast, “In All Things.”

Host Dean Weaver and Lukens discuss how serving as Moderator has strengthened her faith, as well as served as an encouragement for women across the EPC to be involved in the life of the church.

Lukens also reflects on her enthusiasm for accessible theological education in an ever-changing vocational ministry pipeline landscape, funding for the mission of the larger church, and the importance of building relationships in ministry leadership.

Episodes are available on a variety of podcast platforms, including Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, and others. Search “In All Things” on any of these services.

The audio recordings also are available on the EPC website at www.epc.org/inallthings.

Variety of fall 2023 gatherings planned for EPC pastors, spouses, church leaders

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Retreats and gatherings designed to support and encourage EPC pastors, their spouses, church planters, and other leaders are scheduled for October and November 2023.

“We want our pastors and their spouses to thrive in both life and ministry,” said Annie Rose, EPC Director of Ministerial Support and Development. “The events we have planned for this fall are designed to not only bless those who attend, but also have a lasting impact on their families, congregations, and communities.”

Church Planter Retreat

  • Date and Location: October 16-19, Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs, Colo.
  • Theme: “Sustain”
  • Designed for: All active EPC Church Planters and spouses, as well as local church, Presbytery, and Church Planting Network leaders.
  • Synopsis: We will explore ongoing spiritual health and well-being for church plants and church planters. Teaching and discussion groups will cover topics related to active church planters, as well as specific helps for church leaders wanting to begin or grow church planting in their local church, Presbytery, or region.

XP/Administrators Gathering

  • Dates and Locations: October 19-20, DoubleTree Phoenix-Tempe, Phoenix, Ariz.; and November 9-10, EPC Office of the General Assembly in Orlando, Fla.
  • Designed for: Executive Pastors, Executive Directors, Business Adminstrators, and others in local church operational leadership.
  • Guest speaker: David Fletcher, founder of XPastor.org.
  • Synopsis: Fletcher will conduct the Thursday morning session. The Thursday afternoon and Friday morning sessions will be roundtable discussions among peers to exchange ideas and offer solutions to current issues.

Pastor-Spouse Retreat

  • Date and Location: October 23-27, Glen Eyrie Castle & Colorado Conference Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
  • Designed for: EPC pastors and their spouses.
  • Synopsis: Many pastors are feeling the wear and tear of what leadership has required over the past few years. The goal of this retreat is to provide time and space for participants to rest, connect with others, and receive encouragement from the Lord. We will be led by the excellent Colorado-based staff from PastorServe, who will facilitate our morning large-group sessions and provide care and coaching in the afternoons. Attendees will be together in the mornings but have free time each afternoon. Come be refreshed by the Lord in a beautiful place!

ECO/EPC Small Church Summit

  • Date and Location: November 7-9, First Presbyterian Church of San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas.
  • Theme: “Lead in Community”
  • Synopsis: Those who pastor smaller flocks can feel isolated from other leaders, but we know that the Lord has placed each of us in His body as one of many members. Let’s come together for a time of encouragement and equipping, learning how we can raise up leaders in our churches, and experiencing the grace of doing ministry in community. The summit is free to participants. Cover your transportation and hotel, and we will take care of the rest!

“Registration for these events will open later this summer and be communicated through our normal channels,” Rose said. “Please save the dates for the event that best fits you and your ministry!”

General Assembly / Gospel Priorities Summit early registration ends May 15

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If you have not yet registered for the 43rd General Assembly / Gospel Priorities Summit, June 20-22 at Cherry Hills Community Church in suburban Denver, Colo., don’t delay—the $50 early registration discount ends on May 15.

Consider five reasons why you should register now:

  1. Equipping: The theme this year is “Sharpen” and as iron sharpens iron, we want to sharpen each other together. Each day will have equipping sessions based on one of our Gospel Priorities (Church Planting, Church Health, Global Movement, and Effective Biblical Leadership). In the past, these concluded by noon on Wednesday. That’s the “Gospel Priorities Summit” this year: equipping and business are integrated in each day’s schedule.
  2. Business: We convene on Tuesday and adjourn on Thursday. Yes, GA is three days this year instead of four. We want to be good stewards of your time and resources. In addition, the business we will address deserves having as many Commissioners involved as possible. In previous years, much of our important business fell on Friday when many Commissioners had already left.
  3. Worship and Fellowship: We begin and end each day with a dynamic worship service featuring the Cherry Hills worship team and one of our own EPC pastors bringing a message from God’s Word. As far as fellowship, you will renew friendships with people you may have not seen in a year (or more), plus make new friends who share your commitment to Christ and His church.
  4. Denver in June: Long, sunny days. Warm—but not too warm—temperatures. Cool evenings. No humidity. Need more? Come early or stay after and enjoy some outdoor activities in the mountains.
  5. Registration: Early registration ends on Monday, May 15, with a fee of $295 per person. New this year is that the registration fee includes lunch each day, while on-campus dinners Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are optional at a cost of $30 per person. On May 16 the fee increases to $345 per person. Late registration begins June 15 with a fee of $395 per person. Register early—only those Commissioners who register by May 15 will be placed on a Standing Committee.

For Ruling Elders planning to attend, don’t forget to complete the two-part registration process. Step one is to ensure that your Clerk of Session has completed and submitted the Commissioner Certification Form. To vote at the Assembly, Ruling Elders need certification that their Session has elected them as a Commissioner. Also, be sure they are registered (before May 15).

For more information, including Gospel Priorities Summit speakers, worship service preachers, daily schedules, and to register, click here or go to www.epc.org/ga2023.

Church Planting as an evangelism strategy for established churches the topic of “In All Things” podcast episode 77 with Dave Strunk

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Dave Strunk, planting pastor of Church of the Redeemer in suburban Knoxville, Tenn., is the guest for episode 77 of the EPC’s podcast, “In All Things.” Strunk is a Teaching Elder in the Presbytery of the Southeast and served on the EPC’s National Leadership Team (NLT) from 2019-2023.

Host Dean Weaver and Strunk conclude a 5-episode series on Church Planting by discussing Strunk’s journey to the EPC from a Baptist background, including how he started Church of the Redeemer and how church planting is a viable evangelism strategy for established churches. In addition, Strunk reflects on his service on the NLT and how trust serves as a form of leadership currency.

Episodes are available on a variety of podcast platforms, including Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, and others. Search “In All Things” on any of these services.

The audio recordings also are available on the EPC website at www.epc.org/inallthings.

April 2023 EPC financial report: POI support ahead of 2023 budget

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Contributions to Percentage of Income (POI) and Per Member Asking (PMA) received by the Office of the General Assembly in fiscal year 2023 (FY23) through April 30 total $2,068,194. April POI/PMA support was $237,495.

The year-to-date total is $6,992 (0.3 percent) more than the $2,061,202 FY23 support projection to fund the EPC’s overall mission, vision, and Gospel Priorities of church planting, church health, effective biblical leadership, and global movement. FY23 contributions are $122,042 (6.3 percent) more than the amount received in the same period in FY22.

“I praise God for His undeserved goodness to us,” said Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk. “In addition to POI exceeding the budget, our expenses are more than $23,000 under budget and most of the line items are at or below the projected spending level.”

Of the $2,068,194 received, $413,639 (20 percent) was contributed to EPC World Outreach.

In addition to PMA/POI contributions, $5,265,272 in designated gifts were received through April 30. This total is $159,222 (2.8 percent) lower than the $5,708,990 in designated gifts received in the same period in FY22. Nearly all ($141,707) of the difference is attributed to donations to the Domestic Emergency Relief Fund in response to Hurricane Ida.

Designated gifts include support for World Outreach global workers and projects, and contributions to EPC Special Projects such as Emergency Relief, church planting and revitalization initiatives, and the EPC’s Thanksgiving and Christmas offerings.

Of the total, $4,982,594 was designated for World Outreach workers and projects, and $282,677 was designated for EPC projects. These amounts only reflect gifts received and distributed by the Office of the General Assembly, and do not reflect donations given directly to WO global workers or other projects.

Commissioners to the denomination’s 42nd General Assembly in June 2022 approved a transition from the Per Member Asking (PMA) funding formula to a Percentage of Income (POI) model. Under PMA, churches were asked to contribute $23 per member to the Office of the General Assembly. The POI model is a request for churches to support the national level of the EPC with 1 percent of income to the church’s general operating fund. The shift will phase in over the next three years, with full POI implementation expected at the start of FY26 in July 2025.

How inFaith serves the church the topic of “In All Things” podcast episode 76 with Jerry Iamurri

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Jerry Iamurri, Executive Director and CEO of inFaith, is the guest for episode 76 of the EPC’s podcast, “In All Things.” Iamurri is a Teaching Elder in the Presbytery of the East and served as EPC Assistant Stated Clerk from 2017-2022.

Host Dean Weaver and Iamurri discuss how inFaith ministers among the most underserved and underreached communities in the U.S., as well as how the organization serves church planters with a variety of administrative support functions. In addition, Iamurri describes how governance serves mission and vision, and how his experience as Assistant Stated Clerk informs his leadership at inFaith.

Episodes are available on a variety of podcast platforms, including Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, and others. Search “In All Things” on any of these services.

The audio recordings also are available on the EPC website at www.epc.org/inallthings.

Worship services integral to 43rd General Assembly / Gospel Priorities Summit

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Worship has held a central role in the EPC General Assembly since the first gathering in 1981. The 43rd Assembly is no exception. Worship services will open and close each day of the meeting, June 20-22 at Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, Colo.

Shelley Kral, Associate Pastor for Longview EPC in Longview, Texas, will preach in the Assembly’s opening worship service on Tuesday, June 20. Her message, “Love on the Go,” is based on John 17:24-26. The service begins at 9:00 a.m. (Mountain).

Mike Kuhn, Director of the International Theological Education Network of EPC World Outreach, will preach on Tuesday evening, June 20. His message, “To the Nations: A Pursuit of Passion,” is based on Isaiah 49:6, Acts 8:1-8, and Acts 8:26-38. The service will feature the commissioning of the newest World Outreach global workers, and an offering will be received for the EPC’s Global Worker Health Fund. Proceeds will fund projects designed to help restore the emotional and spiritual health of World Outreach global workers. The service begins at 7:00 p.m. (Mountain).

Aaron White, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in South Charleston, Ohio, will deliver the message at the Morning Worship Service on Wednesday, June 21. His message, “Eagerly Desiring Unity,” is based on 1 Corinthians 12. The service begins at 9:00 a.m. (Mountain).

Mark Farrell, Pastor of Tampa Covenant Church in Tampa, Fla., will preach from Psalm 67 on Wednesday evening, June 21. His message is entitled “Blessed to be a Blessing” and the service will feature the annual memorial for EPC Ruling Elders and Teaching Elders who have passed away since the previous Assembly. An offering will be received for the EPC’s Care of Pastors and Spouses Fund. Proceeds will fund projects designed to help restore the emotional and spiritual health of EPC pastors. The service begins at 7:00 p.m. (Mountain).

Rosemary Lukens, Moderator of the 42nd General Assembly, will lead the Moderator’s Communion Service at 9:00 a.m. (Mountain) on Thursday, June 22. Her message, “Our Eyes Are Upon You” focuses on 2 Chronicles 20:12. Lukens is a Ruling Elder for Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church in Gig Harbor, Wash.

Curt Taylor, Senior Pastor of host church Cherry Hills Community Church will conclude the annual meeting by preaching on the Assembly theme of “Sharpen” from Ephesians 4:12. An offering will be received for the EPC’s Moderator’s Scholarship Fund. Donations provide financial assistance to offset travel costs for ministers and Ruling Elders from smaller EPC churches who otherwise may not be able to attend General Assembly. The service begins at 7:00 p.m. (Mountain).

All worship services will be live streamed on the EPC website and in the GA app. For more information or to register, go to www.epc.org/ga2023.

43rd General Assembly / Gospel Priorities Summit FAQs

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You have questions … we have answers about the EPC’s 43rd General Assembly/Gospel Priorities Summit. This year’s Assembly takes place June 20-22 at Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, Colo.

“I get lots of questions about GA,” said Marti Ratcliff, General Assembly Team Lead in the EPC Office of the General Assembly. “I am happy to answer those calls and emails, but we thought it would be helpful to communicate the answers to those that I get most often.”

Q: I submitted the Ruling Elder Commissioner Certification Form for our church. Do these REs still need to register for GA?

A: Yes, all Commissioners (TE and RE) need to register for the Assembly. This is separate from being certified by their church.

Q. I only want to attend one session during the Assembly. Do I still need to register?

A. Yes, but if you are only attending one session on one day you can purchase a Day Pass at a reduced rate. This is available through the online registration form.

Q. Is there a discount for Commissioner spouses to attend GA?

A. Unfortunately, we are not able to provide a spouse discount this year. We do everything we can to keep costs down but everything, especially in Colorado, has gone up since last year. The cost to put on GA is approximately $300,000. Our average in-person attendance—except for the virtual and hybrid Assemblies in 2020 and 2021—has been about 1,000. This is how we calculate the registration fee each year. Also, we check with other denominations and organizations that hold similar events. We have been the outlier related to spouse fees. Even with a flat rate this year, our registration fee is less than similar meetings.

Q: I saw a category on the registration form for WO Child. Can I being my kids and register them as a WO child?

A: No. We only provide childcare for our World Outreach global workers. This is not solely an EPC decision, but also involves the host church and state regulations regarding vetted childcare workers.

Q: What hotels have a discounted EPC General Assembly rate?

A: None. The cost and administrative load involved with hotel contracts for GA has become prohibitive. We now recommend online hotel booking sites like expedia, kayak, hotels.com, etc., to find a room that fits your budget. In addition, vacation rental homes such as Airbnb and vrbo are an increasingly popular option for people who are open to sharing accommodations.

“I am very excited about our time together at Cherry Hills in June and look forward with anticipation for what God is going to do in our midst,” said Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk.

Online registration with a cost of $295 per person runs until May 15. The registration fee includes lunch each day, while on-campus dinners Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are optional at a cost of $30 per person. The $50 early registration discount ends on May 15, when the fee increases to $345 per person. Late registration begins June 15 with a fee of $395 per person.

For more information and to register, see www.epc.org/ga2023.

God’s glory, generosity, and joy in church planting the topic of “In All Things” podcast episode 75 with Abe Radmanesh

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Abe Radmanesh, member of the EPC’s Church Planting Team, is the guest for episode 75 of the EPC’s podcast, “In All Things.”

Host Dean Weaver and Radmanesh continue a series on church planting by discussing how an established church can begin a church planting movement, based on Radmanesh’s experience at Colonial Presbyterian Church in Kansas City. Radmanesh also describes how his experience in the business world provides fresh perspective in church planting, the value of entrepreneurial skills in church planting; and the benefits that established churches receive by starting new churches.

Episodes are available on a variety of podcast platforms, including Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, and others. Search “In All Things” on any of these services.

The audio recordings also are available on the EPC website at www.epc.org/inallthings.

43rd General Assembly / Gospel Priorities Summit provides church planting helps, information

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The EPC’s 43rd General Assembly / Gospel Priorities Summit features training and equipping sessions based on the denomination’s four Gospel Priorities of Church Planting, Church Health, Global Movement, and Effective Biblical Leadership. The Assembly takes place June 20-22 at Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, Colo.

Opportunities occur each day to learn more about how every EPC church can become a parent, patron, or partner of church planting.

 Tuesday, June 20

  • Plenary Session 1: “A Gospel- and Mission-Centric Movement” followed by “A Compelling Narrative and Hermeneutic for Evangelism.” Led by Michael Carrion, Vice President for Church Planting and Leadership Development for Redeemer City to City in New York City.
  • Networking Lunch: “Apologetic Principles for Church Planting.” Hosted by Tommy Allen, Planting Pastor of EPC Spokane in Spokane, Wash., and Shane Sunn, Executive Director of the Aspen Grove Church Planting Network in Denver, Colo.
  • Networking Lunch: “Choosing to Plant a Multi-Ethnic Church.” Hosted by Sean Boone, Planting Pastor of Woke Bridge Community Church in Ferguson, Mo., and Marcos Ortega, Lead Pastor of Goodwill Church Beacon in Beacon, N.Y.

 Wednesday, June 21

  •  Networking Lunch: “An Introduction to Multi-Ethnic Church Planting.” Hosted by Michael Carrion.

 Thursday, June 22

  •  Networking Lunch: “Healthy Leadership Development in Church Planting.” Hosted by Cron Gibson, Executive Director of Hopewell Equipping and Counseling Ministry in Virginia Beach, Va.
  • Equipping Session 1: “Incarnational Church Planting.” Led by Michael Carrion.
  • Equipping Session 2: “The Many Faces of Church Planting.” Led by Shawn Robinson, Founding Pastor of Clayton Community Church in Clayton, Calif., and Shane Sunn, Executive Director of the Aspen Grove Church Planting Network.
  • Equipping Session 3: “Why Church Planting Is Good for Every Church.” Led by Hunter Bailey, Regional Director of the EPC Church Planting Network’s South and Heartland regions, and Richard Rieves, Lead Pastor of Downtown Church in Memphis, Tenn.

Online registration with a cost of $295 per person runs until May 15. The registration fee includes lunch each day, while on-campus dinners Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are optional at a cost of $30 per person. The $50 early registration discount ends on May 15, when the fee increases to $345 per person. Late registration begins June 15 with a fee of $395 per person.

For more information and to register, see www.epc.org/ga2023.

March 2023 EPC financial report: POI/PMA support continues strong, above FY22

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As of March 31, Percentage of Income (POI) contributions received by the Office of the General Assembly since the July 1 start of the EPC’s fiscal year total $1,830,699. The amount is $68,389 (3.9 percent) more than PMA at the same point last year, yet $21,443 (1.2 percent) less than the $1,852,142 budgeted support projection to fund the EPC’s overall mission, vision, and Gospel Priorities of church planting, church health, effective biblical leadership, and global movement.

March PMA contributions were $228,084.

“As we enter the last quarter of our fiscal year, I am thankful that the financial support from our churches remains strong,” said Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk. “To be nearly four percent above last year is testimony to God’s gracious provision. Our OGA staff also continues their excellent stewardship—we are almost $80,000 under budget in our spending.”

Of the $1,830,699 received, $366,140 (20 percent) was contributed to EPC World Outreach.

In addition to PMA contributions, $4,761,586 in designated gifts were received through March 31. This total is $150,661 (3 percent) less than the $5,029,142 in designated gifts received in FY22. Designated gifts include support for World Outreach global workers and projects, and contributions to EPC Special Projects such as the Domestic Emergency Relief Fund, church health and church planting initiatives, and the EPC’s holiday offerings.

Of the total, $4,487,631 was designated for World Outreach workers and projects, and $273,954 was designated for EPC projects. These amounts only reflect gifts received and distributed by the Office of the General Assembly, and do not reflect donations given directly to WO global workers or other projects.

Commissioners to the denomination’s 42nd General Assembly in June 2022 approved a transition from the Per Member Asking (PMA) funding formula to a Percentage of Income (POI) model. Under PMA, churches were asked to contribute $23 per member to the Office of the General Assembly. The POI model is a request for churches to support the national level of the EPC with 1 percent of income to the church’s general operating fund. The shift will phase in over the next three years, with full POI implementation expected at the start of FY26 in July 2025.

“In All Things” podcast episode 74 offers explanation of church planting ‘parent, patron, partner’ with Shawn Robinson

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Shawn Robinson, Pastor of Clayton Community Church in Clayton, Calif., is the guest for episode 74 of the EPC’s podcast, “In All Things.”

Host Dean Weaver and Robinson continue a series on church planting with Robinson telling the story of how he planted Clayton Community Church in 1996 as part of the EPC’s Key Cities Initiative. He also describes the EPC’s strategy of “every EPC church a parent, patron, or partner of church planting” and how people loving their neighbors is foundational to a church maintaining an outward focus.

Episodes are available on a variety of podcast platforms, including Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, and others. Search “In All Things” on any of these services.

The audio recordings also are available on the EPC website at www.epc.org/inallthings.

National Leadership Team prays for outgoing members

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Members of the National Leadership Team pray for outgoing Chairman Brad Strait (third from right) and outgoing member Patrick King (fourth from right). Not pictured is a third member rotating off the committee, Dave Strunk.

At their final in-person meeting of 2022-2023 on April 19, members of the EPC’s National Leadership Team concluded the gathering by praying for outgoing members Brad Strait, Patrick King, and Dave Strunk. Strait serves as Lead Pastor of Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church in Englewood, Colo. King serves as Pastor of Covenant Church in San Diego, Calif. Strunk is the Planting Pastor of Church of the Redeemer in Maryville, Tenn.

General Assembly / Gospel Priorities Summit offers Networking Lunches for connection, equipping

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Networking Lunches at the EPC’s 43rd General Assembly / Gospel Priorities Summit provide opportunity for attendees to connect with others with similar ministry interests. Networking Lunches are held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, June 20-22, from 12:00-12:50 p.m. at Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, Colo. For more information about each lunch, see www.epc.org/ga2023networkinglunches.

Tuesday, June 20

  • Apologetic Principles for Church Planting, hosted by Tommy Allen, Planting Pastor of EPC Spokane in Spokane, Wash., and Shane Sunn, Executive Director of the Aspen Grove Church Planting Network.
  • Building Retirement Savings and Tax-Exempt Housing Expense Withdrawal, hosted by Bart Francescone, Executive Director of EPC Benefit Resources, Inc.
  • Choosing to Plant a Multi-Ethnic Church, hosted by Sean Boone, Planting Pastor of Woke Bridge Community Church in Ferguson, Mo., and Marcos Ortega, Lead Pastor of Goodwill Church Beacon in Beacon, N.Y.
  • Disability Ministry Story & Support, hosted by Michelle Munger, author of Margins of Grace: Becoming Champions of Faith and Family in the Midst of Disability.
  • How to Revitalize Your Leadership Pipeline, hosted by Scott Manor, President of Knox Theological Seminary in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
  • Liturgical Worship, the Regulative Principle, and Presbyterianism, hosted by Zac Hicks, Pastor of Church of the Cross in Birmingham, Ala.
  • Navigating the Letters (LGBTQ+) with a Family Member, hosted by Scott Kingry, Program Director of Where Grace Abounds.
  • World Outreach: Home from the Field, hosted by Shawn Stewart, Coordinator of Field Development and Co-op Support for EPC World Outreach.

Wednesday, June 21

  • An Introduction to Multi-Ethnic Church Planting, hosted by Michael Carrion, Vice President of Church Planting and Leadership Development for Redeemer City to City in New York, N.Y.
  • Come and Ask Your Church Health Questions, hosted by Bob Stauffer, EPC National Director of Church Health.
  • Executive Pastors and Church Administrators, hosted by Patrick Coelho, EPC Chief Financial Officer.
  • Female Pastors, Chaplains, and TE Candidates, hosted by Carolyn Poteet, Lead Pastor of Mt. Lebanon Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, Pa.
  • Meet Our Newly Commissioned Global Workers, hosted by Saul and Jesse Huber, Coordinators of Mobilization for EPC World Outreach.
  • Revelation 7:9: How to be a Community-Conscious Congregation, hosted by Rufus Smith, Senior Pastor of Hope Church in Cordova, Tenn.
  • Sharpening Parent Skills Amidst Today’s Adolescent Crisis, hosted by Bill Senyard, President of Gospel App Ministries.
  • Small Church Leadership: Developing the Body in its Call to Hope, hosted by Bill Crawford, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Thibodaux, La., and Suzanne Zampella, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Dexter, N.M., and First Presbyterian Church in Hagerman, N.M.
  • The Contemporary Significance of Westminster Divine Edward Reynolds (1599-1676), hosted by Jeff Jeremiah, EPC Stated Clerk Emeritus.
  • What Does Your Personal Well-Being Look Like?, hosted by Bart Francescone, Executive Director of EPC Benefit Resources, Inc.

Thursday, June 22

  • Building Retirement Savings and Tax-Exempt Housing Expense Withdrawal, hosted by Bart Francescone, Executive Director of EPC Benefit Resources, Inc.
  • Discerning and Engaging the Culture Through Film, hosted by Ritchey Cable, Pastor of Gashland Presbyterian Church in Kansas City.
  • Healthy Leadership Development in Church Planting, hosted by Cron Gibson, Executive Director of Hopewell Equipping & Counseling Ministry Center in Virginia Beach, Va.
  • ITEN Partnership and Training Ministries, hosted by Mike Kuhn, Director of the International Theological Education Network (ITEN) of EPC World Outreach.
  • Next Generation Missions, hosted by Saul and Jesse Huber, Coordinators of Mobilization for EPC World Outreach.
  • Pastoral Letter of Racial Lament and Hope, hosted by Gerrit Dawson, Co-chairman of the Interim Committee on Pastoral Letter of Racial Lament and Hope.
  • Pastors’ Wives Lunch, hosted by Ramona Spilman, Adult Ministries & Missions Pastor for Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, Colo.
  • Reaching a Generation Like None Other, hosted by Jen Burkholder, Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Coalition for Christian Outreach.
  • Revival and Revivalism in American Presbyterianism, hosted by Don Fortson, Professor of Church History and Pastoral Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, N.C.
  • The Awakening Power of a Great Question, hosted by Dave Meserve, Affiliate Coach in the Rocky Mountain Region for PastorServe.
  • The Power of Rest: Embracing Sabbaticals for Ministry Health, hosted by Roy Yanke, Executive Director for PIR Ministries.

For more information about the 43rd General Assembly / Gospel Priorities Summit, including online registration, schedule, and more, see www.epc.org/ga2023.

Col. Russ Ragon, USAF Chaplain and member of Chaplains Work and Care Committee, dies at 58

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Chaplain Col. Ronald “Russ” Ragon

Chaplain Col. Ronald “Russ” Ragon, 58, went home to his Savior on April 8, 2023. He served 21 years in the United States Air Force and was the former pastor of Lookout Valley Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, Tenn. A Teaching Elder in the Presbytery of the West, he was a current member of the EPC Chaplains Work and Care Committee.

Chaplain Ragon was sworn into the United States Air Force as Chaplain in July 2001. Assignments included Chaplain, Beale Air Force Base, Calif.; Staff Chaplain, United States Air Force Academy, Colo.; Senior Protestant Chaplain and Branch Chief, Ramstein Air Base, Germany; Deputy Wing Chaplain, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas; AFIT Student, Army Family Life Chaplain Training Center, Fort Hood, Texas; Deputy Wing Chaplain, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Wing Chaplain, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey; Wing Chaplain, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England; Deputy Division Chief, Chaplain Career Management, Air Force Personnel Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas; and Deputy Command Chaplain, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.

Over the course of his 21-year career, Ragon deployed to multiple locations in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Inherent Resolve, Freedom’s Sentinel, and Spartan Shield. While deployed to Sather Air Base, Iraq, he made a direct and lasting impact on thousands of coalition personnel by forging spiritual resiliency and reintegration for military families and honoring the lives of 34 fatally wounded warriors. During his most recent deployment to Qatar, Ragon led a 23-member team in the execution of more than 250 faith group services and 900 individual counseling sessions. In addition, his team delivered critical spiritual support to 9,000 personnel during the Operation Allies Refuge evacuation of 57,000 United States and Afghan citizens over a three-week period.

Ragon earned the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters; Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters; Air Force Meritorious Unit Award; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster; Iraq Campaign Medal with bronze star; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals; Armed Forces Service Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; Air and Space Campaign Medal; Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster; Air Force Overseas Service Short and Long Tour Ribbons; Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border; Air Force Longevity Service Award with four oak leaf clusters; and Air Force Training Ribbon.

He is survived by his mother Judy Ragon; sister and brother-in-law Regina and Gustavo Varela; wife Margaret Fletcher Ragon; daughter Samantha Ragon; daughter and son-in-law Madeline and Brandon Atha; son and daughter-in-law Timmy and Morgan Ragon; and four grandchildren.

Click here for a full memorial notice.

Trajectory of church planting in the EPC the topic of “In All Things” episode 73 with Jack Cathey and Tom Ricks

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Jack Cathey and Tom Ricks are the guests for episode 73 of the EPC’s podcast, “In All Things.” The two are founding members of the EPC’s National Church Planting Team. Cathey is a Ruling Elder for the Lake Forest family of churches in Charlotte, N.C.; Ricks serves as the EPC’s National Director of Church Planting.

Host Dean Weaver, Cathey, and Ricks kick off a series on church planting by recounting how church planting in the EPC has gone from being aspirational to operational. They also discuss steps churches can take to get involved in starting new churches, and how relationships are the key to successful church planting.

Episodes are available on a variety of podcast platforms, including Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, and others. Search “In All Things” on any of these services.

The audio recordings also are available on the EPC website at www.epc.org/inallthings.

“In All Things” podcast episode 72 offers Easter devotional from Dean Weaver

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In a special Easter weekend episode of the EPC’s weekly podcast, “In All Things,” EPC Stated Clerk Dean Weaver shares a brief message about the raising of Lazarus as recorded in John 11:38-44.

Episodes are available on a variety of podcast platforms, including Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, and others. Search “In All Things” on any of these services.

The audio recordings also are available on the EPC website at www.epc.org/inallthings.

El Libro de Orden 2022-23 ahora disponible en Español

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El Libro de Orden de EPC 2022-23 en español ya está disponible en formato PDF descargable en www.epc.org/recursosenespanol.

“Esta edición actualizada de nuestro Libro de Orden incluye todas las decisiones ratificadas por la 42.ª Asamblea General en Ward Church en junio pasado”, dijo Dean Weaver, Secretario Delegado de EPC. “Esa Asamblea aprobó tres enmiendas al Libro de Gobierno y dos revisiones al Libro de Culto, así como una serie de artículos señalados como Actas de la Asamblea. Además, verificamos cuidadosamente cada referencia de página, nota al pie e índice para verificar su precisión. Esta es la primera actualización de nuestro Libro de Orden en dos años, por lo que debería estar en el estante de cada Anciano Docente y Secretario de Sesión”.

El libro de 253 páginas es el Volumen 1 de la Constitución de EPC y está compuesto por el Libro de Gobierno, el Libro de Disciplina (que incluye Formularios de Disciplina), el Libro de Culto, las Reglas para la Asamblea, las Actas de Asamblea y un índice completo. La edición de este año incluye enmiendas al Libro de Orden y Reglas para la Asamblea ratificadas a través de la 42.ª Asamblea General (2022), así como las Actas de la 42.ª Asamblea General.

La Constitución de la EPC consiste en el Libro de Orden, la Confesión de Fe de Westminster (incluidos los Catecismos Mayor y Menor) y el documento “Fundamentos de nuestra fe”. Todos estos están subordinados a la Escritura, que es “la autoridad suprema y final en todos los asuntos sobre los que habla”.

Los recursos adicionales descargables en español incluyen la Guía de Capacitación de Liderazgo de EPC, el Manual de Procedimientos para los Comités Ministeriales y de Candidatos, y Caminando con Jesús: Un Devocional Familiar escrito por Héctor Reynoso, Pastor de la Iglesia Presbiteriana Génesis en Mercedes, Texas.

__________________________

2022-23 Book of Order now available in Spanish

The Spanish-language 2022-23 EPC Book of Order is now available in downloadable PDF format at www.epc.org/recursosenespanol.

“This updated edition of our Book of Order includes all the decisions ratified by the 42nd General Assembly at Ward Church last June,” said Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk. “That Assembly approved three amendments to the Book of Government and two revisions to the Book of Worship, as well as a number of items noted as Acts of the Assembly. In addition, we carefully checked every page reference, footnote, and index for accuracy. This is the first update to our Book of Order in two years, so it should be on every Teaching Elder and Clerk of Session’s shelf.”

The 253-page book is Volume 1 of the EPC Constitution and is comprised of the Book of Government, Book of Discipline (including Forms for Discipline), Book of Worship, Rules for Assembly, Acts of Assembly, and a full index. This year’s edition includes amendments to the Book of Order and Rules for Assembly ratified through the 42nd General Assembly (2022), as well as Acts of the 42nd General Assembly.

The Constitution of the EPC consists of the Book of Order, the Westminster Confession of Faith (including the Larger and Shorter Catechisms), and the document “Essentials of Our Faith.” All these are subordinate to Scripture, which is “the supreme and final authority on all matters on which it speaks.”

Additional downloadable Spanish resources include the EPC Leadership Training Guide, the Procedure Manual for Ministerial and Candidates Committees, and Walking with Jesus: A Family Devotional written by Hector Reynoso, Pastor of Genesis Presbyterian Church in Mercedes, Texas.

General Assembly/Gospel Priorities Summit registration open

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Online registration for the 43rd General Assembly/Gospel Priorities Summit is now open. The Assembly meets June 20-22 at Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, Colo. The theme of this year’s annual meeting is “Sharpen,” based on Ephesians 4:12, “… to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ …”

The three-day gathering features plenary speakers each day and breakout sessions on Thursday, all focused on the EPC’s four Gospel Priorities of Church Health, Church Planting, Effective Biblical Leadership, and Global Movement.

“The EPC exists to carry out the Great Commission, and those four priorities are the way we do that,” said Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk. “In the past, our Leadership Institute concluded on Wednesday. This year our equipping is interspersed with business across each day—that’s the ’Gospel Priorities Summit.’ Based on feedback from last year’s attendees, we will have more of a conference feel as opposed to primarily a business meeting with some equipping at the front.”

Plenary session topics include:

  • Church Planting on Tuesday morning, featuring Michael Carrion, Vice President of Church Planting and Leadership Development for Redeemer City to City in New York, N.Y. He will speak on “A Gospel- and Mission-Centric Movement” and “A Compelling Narrative and Hermeneutic for Evangelism.”
  • Global Movement on Tuesday afternoon with “Sharpening Our Focus on the 3 Billion” featuring John Love, Mary Ho, and Matthew Ellison. Love is an EPC Teaching Elder serving with EPC World Outreach and Pioneers; Ho is the International Executive Leader of All Nations International; and Ellison is the President of Sixteen:Fifteen.
  • Church Health on Wednesday morning, with sessions on “Celebrating Evangelism in EPC” with Jeff Moore, Bob Stauffer, Thomas D, and Mark V.; and “Love Thy Neighborhood” with Keon Abner, Founding Pastor of Bridge City Church in Cleveland, Ohio, and Marc de Jeu, Church Health Coordinator and Mission Mobilizer for the Presbytery of the Alleghenies. Moore serves as Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Aurora, Ill.; Stauffer is the EPC’s National Director of Church Health; and D and V serve with EPC World Outreach.
  • Effective Biblical Leadership on Wednesday afternoon with EPC Assistant Stated Clerk Michael Davis discussing “What Is an Effective Biblical Leader?”

For complete information about the speakers and topics—as well as details on the Thursday breakout sessions—see www.epc.org/ga2023gospelprioritiessummit.

The first of five business sessions convenes on Tuesday afternoon, June 20, at 3:00 p.m. (Mountain).

Worship service speakers include:

Other gatherings include a wide variety of Networking Lunches each day, as well as meetings specific to World Outreach, women’s ministry, ministry wives, and more.

Early registration runs until May 15, with a registration fee of $295 per person. New this year is that the registration fee includes lunch each day, while on-campus dinners Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are optional at a cost of $30 per person. The $50 early registration discount ends on May 15, when the fee increases to $345 per person. Late registration begins June 15 with a fee of $395 per person.

For complete information and to register, see www.epc.org/ga2023.

“In All Things” podcast episode 71 offers Holy Week devotional from Michael Davis

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Michael Davis, EPC Assistant Stated Clerk, is the guest host for episode 71 of the EPC’s weekly podcast, “In All Things.” This week, Davis shares a Palm Sunday/Holy Week devotional from John 12:12-18.

Episodes are available on a variety of podcast platforms, including Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, and others. Search “In All Things” on any of these services.

The audio recordings also are available on the EPC website at www.epc.org/inallthings.

February 2023 EPC financial report: PMA/POI support continues ahead of 2022 pace, behind 2023 budget

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Contributions to Per Member Asking (PMA) and Percentage of Income (POI) received by the Office of the General Assembly in fiscal year 2023 (FY23) through February 28 total $1,602,615. February PMA/POI support was $158,198.

The year-to-date total is $45,269 (2.9 percent) more than the amount received in the same period in FY22 but $29,647 (1.8 percent) under the $1,632,262 FY23 PMA/POI support projection to fund the EPC’s overall mission, vision, and Gospel Priorities of church planting, church health, effective biblical leadership, and global movement.

“I continue to be thankful for the faithfulness of our churches in financially supporting the larger work of the EPC,” said Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk. “I also want to thank our staff at the Office of the General Assembly. They serve our churches and presbyteries in so many ways, but especially in their stewardship of resources. We are under budget in spending and that is a direct result of their careful stewardship.”

Of the $1,602,615 received, $320,523 (20 percent) was contributed to EPC World Outreach.

In addition to PMA/POI contributions, $4,201,558 in designated gifts were received through February 28. This total is $178,299 (4.2 percent) lower than the $4,265,978 in designated gifts received in the same period in FY22. More than $136,000 of the difference is attributed to donations to the Domestic Emergency Relief Fund in response to Hurricane Ida.

Designated gifts include support for World Outreach global workers and projects, and contributions to EPC Special Projects such as Emergency Relief, church planting and revitalization initiatives, and the EPC’s Thanksgiving and Christmas offerings.

Of the total, $3,973,833 was designated for World Outreach workers and projects, and $227,674 was designated for EPC projects. These amounts only reflect gifts received and distributed by the Office of the General Assembly, and do not reflect donations given directly to WO global workers or other projects.

Commissioners to the denomination’s 42nd General Assembly in June 2022 approved a transition from the Per Member Asking (PMA) funding formula to a Percentage of Income (POI) model. Under PMA, churches were asked to contribute $23 per member to the Office of the General Assembly. The POI model is a request for churches to support the national level of the EPC with 1 percent of income to the church’s general operating fund. The shift will phase in over the next three years, with full POI implementation expected at the start of FY26 in July 2025.