Rob Hock was installed as senior pastor of Southport Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, IN on Sunday, September 30.  Midwest Presbytery Commission Chair Erik Ohman brought the welcome, call to worship and opening prayer.  Bob Hopper, who served as interim pastor for this church for 16 months, preached the sermon.  Drawing from Revelation 19, 20 and 21, Bob contrasted the passing and trivial nature of earthly pursuits with the eternal nature of God’s glory, God’s Word and God’s Church.  He concluded that the believer who loves Jesus Christ must love the Lord’s bride, and encouraged Southport’s congregation and new pastor to serve the bride well.  EPC Stated Clerk Jeff Jeremiah delivered words of encouragement to Rob, the congregation and the Session, and then read the vows of installation.  Brad Moger offered the prayer of installation.  Erik was joined by Pastoral Search Committee Chair Duane Gaither in presenting Rob with a special handcrafted cross to mark the special event.  Rob then made concluding remarks of thanks and delivered the benediction.  A reception followed.

Photo (left to right): Duane Gaither; Rob Hock

Members of the Midwest Commission tasked with the installation were TE Brad Moger (Hopewell-Indianapolis, IN), RE Carol Poe (Hopewell-Indianapolis, IN), RE Susan Stafford (Southport-Indianapolis, IN), RE David Lee (Southport-Indianapolis, IN), TE Erik Ohman (Warsaw EPC-Warsaw, IN) and RE John Testa (Southport-Indianapolis, IN).

Rob Hock was called to Southport from the Community Church of Ephrata-Ephrata, WA where he served as pastor for six years.  Previously he was a member of the Presbytery of the East where he served a church in Silver Spring, MD.