Category Archives: Pastors

Church Planters Retreat offers refresh and recharge

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Attendees of the EPC Church Planters Retreat enjoyed breakout sessions on a variety of topics, including fundraising, self-care, worship, and more.

As one of the EPC’s four strategic initiatives, church planting is a priority in the EPC. A significant aspect of supporting church planting is supporting and ministering to church planters. A key strategy in supporting EPC church planters is the annual Church Planters Retreat.

This year’s retreat was held October 25-27 at Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs, Colo. Nearly 50 EPC church planters, their spouses, and members of the Church Planting Team (CPT) joined presbytery leaders and others for three days of training and renewal that included peer networking, breakout and mentoring sessions, fellowship, prayer, and more.

Tom Ricks, CPT chair, explained that “church planting nuts-and-bolts” training sessions focused on topics such as fundraising, worship, self-care, and preaching in a start-up situation.

“Church planting is one of the hardest and loneliest endeavors of which I have ever been a part,” said James Daniels, pastor of Chelsea Presbyterian Church in suburban Birmingham, Ala. The church plant is not yet holding formal worship services, but is in the formation stage of hosting social events such as prayer breakfasts to build a local core group.

“The retreat came at a critical time in the process, and offered a beautiful balance of information and transformation,” Daniels added. “I’m entering back into my local community renewed and inspired for the days ahead.”

“This retreat was absolutely necessary,” said Brian Roskin, pastor of River City Church in St. Charles, Mo. “The topics were thoughtful and relevant for my current situation. I was able to connect with others doing the same thing, creating a network for me.”

Breakout sessions for spouses were led by Patty Robinson, wife of Shawn Robinson, founding pastor of Clayton Community Church in Clayton, Calif., and a CPT member. Her topic, “Engaging, Equipping, and Encouraging,” addressed how to navigate the call to be a church planter’s wife—including managing expectations and boundaries.

“Taking care of your relationship with God, knowing how and when to invest in the (church) plant, and protecting your marriage and family is what make the journey unique,” she said.

Another component of support for EPC church planters is a Church Planters’ Cohort, now in the planning phase with a launch goal of January 2018.

“The cohort will meet bi-monthly via FaceTime,” Ricks noted, “and cover topics essential to the first two years of church planting.” He added that “covenant triads” will provide opportunity for church planters to check in, support, and pray for each other.

Cohort leader Bart Garrett, pastor of Christ Church East Bay in Berkeley, Calif., reported that eleven church planters expressed interest during the retreat in this continuing training/support effort.

Jeff Jeremiah, EPC Stated Clerk, noted that the retreat could not happen without local church giving to Per Member Asking, since food and lodging are funded in the EPC budget.

“Commissioners to the 2017 General Assembly in Sacramento approved funding church planting—as well as the other strategic initiatives of church revitalization, effective biblical leadership, and global movement—in the EPC budget, so every church that participates in Per Member Asking is investing in EPC church planting.”

Ricks noted that many EPC presbyteries pay travel expenses for church planters and their spouses, “so they can attend virtually cost-free.”

“The Church Planting Team and I are grateful for the opportunity to help invest in and grow the next generation of EPC church planters,” Ricks said. “We’ve seen many churches come along side us as ‘Parents, Partners, and Patrons’ of church planting. Thank you to everyone who supports church planting. If you’re not yet involved but interested in learning more, let me know!”

Ricks can be contacted at tom@greentreechurch.com or 314-909-9197, ext. 1007.

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EPC church planters and their spouses at the 2017 Church Planters Retreat in Colorado Springs, Colo.

 

Imprisoned Andrew Brunson pens modern hymn, “Worthy of My All”

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Andrew Brunson holds a small cross given to him as a gift in a photo taken October 10 in the Turkish prison where he is being held.

On November 3, Norine Brunson posted a recording of “Worthy of My All” to the Andrew and Norine Brunson Facebook page. The song was written this fall by EPC teaching elder Andrew Brunson while in prison in Turkey.

On the post, Norine commented, “This is a simple recording of Andrew’s song and his melody. Sung by a precious sister who has been here with us for over ten years. She is not a native English speaker as you can tell, but she is very special to us.”

Click here to listen. (April 2023 update: The downloadable mp3 audio file is now posted on the Brunson’s ministry website, www.wavestarters.org.)

Click here to download printable sheet music in pdf format.

“What a blessing it would be for each of our EPC churches to incorporate this modern hymn into their worship services,” said Jeff Jeremiah, EPC Stated Clerk. “Norine calls it a ‘simple recording,’ but it’s clear that the depth of Andrew’s commitment to Christ flows through these incredibly moving lyrics.”

Brunson has been held since October 2016. At the time of his arrest, he was serving as pastor of Izmir Resurrection Church in the coastal city of Izmir. He faces charges of espionage, acquiring secret political and military information, attempting to destroy constitutional order and overthrowing the Turkish parliament, and membership in an armed terrorist organization.

 

Hope Church Memphis featured in The Gospel Coalition

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HopeChurchTGCThe Gospel Coalition’s lead story on November 2, “How the Country’s Largest White Presbyterian Church Became Multiethnic,” tells the story of Hope Church in Cordova, Tenn. Planted in 1988 in a predominately white suburban area, within 20 years the congregation was the largest in Memphis—but with less than 1 percent of its 7,000 attendees African American.

The EPC’s largest congregation is now more than 20 percent African American, including the senior pastor, Rufus Smith.

Hope Church will host the 38th EPC General Assembly in June 2018.

Click here for the full story.

The Gospel Coalition is a network of evangelical churches in the Reformed tradition, and was founded by Tim Keller, founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, and D.A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Ill.

EPC removes “pause button” from Hurricane Maria relief

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Juan Rivera (left), Pastor of the EPC’s Iglesia Presbiteriana Westminster in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, and Abraham Montes (second from right), Pastor of Iglesia Presbiteriana Evangélica Mayagüez in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, receive a check from Assistant Stated Clerk Jerry Iamurri from the Hurricane Maria emergency relief fund. Also pictured is Lizzette Gonzalez, Clerk of Session for Iglesia Presbiteriana Evangélica Mayagüez.

Following two weeks in a “wait and pray” stance toward relief efforts in Puerto Rico, the EPC has restarted its Hurricane Maria emergency relief fund. While the fund had not closed to contributions, active promotion of the fund was put on hold until leaders of the EPC’s churches on the island reported that they were able to receive donations and effectively use them.

Juan Rivera, pastor of Iglesia Presbiteriana Westminster in Bayamón, reported October 18 that banks on the island have reopened, and efforts to rebuild the island’s infrastructure are slowly getting underway.

“We are still without power, and two of our three congregations there cannot hold worship services in their normal locations due to the damage,” Rivera said. “Everyone has lost something, and we have probably 10-15 families in our three EPC churches in Puerto Rico who have lost everything.”

Jeff Jeremiah, EPC Stated Clerk, noted that the situation on the island, while still very challenging, has improved to the point that relief funds collected can now be dispersed.

“They have a long road ahead—including untold opportunities for ministry—and by the EPC being ‘much better together’ we all can play a part in their recovery,” he said.

On October 19, Assistant Stated Clerk Jerry Iamurri presented checks to Rivera and Abraham Montes, Pastor of Iglesia Presbiteriana Evangélica Mayagüez, who were in Orlando for the fall meeting of the Presbytery of Florida and the Caribbean.

Lizzette Gonzalez, Clerk of Session for the Mayagüez congregation, said four families from the church suffered a total loss of furniture, appliances, and personal belongings; three familes experienced partial loss of their house roof, furniture, and personal belongings; and the church administrative office has structural damage.

“We are so thankful for our EPC family and everything they are doing for us,” she said.

As of October 19, almost $52,000 has been contributed to the Hurricane Maria emergency relief fund.

“Thank you for your generosity in response to all three recent hurricanes,,” Jeremiah said. “To date more than $550,000 has been donated to our Harvey, Irma, and Maria funds.”

Click here to donate online (Choose “Emergency Relief” from the first pulldown menu and “Hurricane Maria Relief (508)” from the second pulldown menu,) or make check payable to Evangelical Presbyterian Church with “Hurricane Maria Relief” on the memo line, and send to:

Evangelical Presbyterian Church
5850 T.G. Lee Blvd., Suite 510
Orlando, FL 32822

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Damage to their regular facility from Hurricane Maria has forced Iglesia Presbiteriana Westminster in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, to hold worship services in an outdoor parking garage since the storm hit the island on September 20.

Hurricane Maria fund receives $3250; EPC relief efforts on temporary hold

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Members of Iglesia Presbiteriana Westminster (Westminster Presbyterian Church) in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, gathered for worship on September 24 in an open-air parking garage.

As of September 28, $3,255 has been contributed to the EPC’s Hurricane Maria emergency relief fund. However, Stated Clerk Jeff Jeremiah said further efforts to assist the three EPC congregations in Puerto Rico are in a “wait and pray” mode.

“The recovery and reconstruction of the infrastructure on Puerto Rico has gone painfully slow since Maria swept through,” Jeremiah said. “Because electrical power and cell phone service has not yet been restored, our text and phone contacts with leadership of Westminster-Bayamon have been infrequent—though we have learned that Anasco and Mayaguez are doing OK. But the loss of infrastructure has made life difficult.”

On Sunday, September 24, Pastor Juan Rivera led the Westminster congregation in worship at a local multi-level parking garage. Ruling Elder Alfredo Aponte said “Prayers were offered, the Word was read and preached and God was given His rightful place—first place and above all.”

Don Mason, retired pastor of GracePoint Church in Plant City, Fla., and a key leader in the effort to bring the Puerto Rican churches into the EPC, said recovery efforts are limited by the extensive damage on the island.

“Until the infrastructure is restored, all we can do is wait and pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ and their neighbors,” Mason said.

As an example of the challenges facing the recovery effort, many of the relief supplies that have reached the island are sitting in port in San Juan due to a shortage of truck drivers, gasoline, and diesel—as well as a large number of roads that still are blocked by storm debris.

Jeremiah noted that the Office of the General Assembly has received many inquiries about how the EPC can help.

“For now, it falls to the U.S. military, FEMA, and other government agencies to rebuild the island infrastructure before our relief efforts can begin,” he said.

“As soon as we are confident we can successfully get relief support to our churches in Puerto Rico, we will promote the Maria emergency relief fund again, as well as opportunities for our churches to send relief work teams to the island.”

Hurricane Harvey and Irma relief funds raise more than $343,000

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As of September 28, a total of $343,072.19 has been contributed to the EPC’s Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma emergency relief funds.

“The ‘above and beyond’ giving of our churches and members has been amazing,” said Jeff Jeremiah, EPC Stated Clerk. “I’m so thankful for the generosity they’ve demonstrated. We’re also overwhelmed with other offers to help, especially churches who want to send work teams to these affected areas.”

Hurricane Harvey

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In Texas, $262,000 of the $303,030.94 contributed to the Hurricane Harvey fund as of September 28 has already been distributed to six EPC churches in the area affected by Harvey:

On September 26, these six pastors met with Jeremiah via conference call to allocate up to $196,000.

“Our pastors expressed gratitude for this outpouring of support from the EPC,” Jeremiah noted. “As they discussed relief needs in their church and community, they acknowledged that while the need is overwhelming, they are still in a ‘cleanup and dry out phase’ and don’t yet know what actual costs will be for those affected by Harvey.”

Jeremiah said the group decided that those with damaged homes who do not have flood insurance would be “first in line” to receive aid.

“Those with flood insurance can receive up to $250,000,” he said. “But those without flood insurance are only eligible for up to $33,000—and only if FEMA determines the damaged home is inhabitable.

The following allocations were made:

  • EPC Chaplain Aaron Laenger, whose single-level home was flooded with more than seven feet of water for a week, received $10,000.
  • Vietnamese Christian Fellowship pastor Daniel Nguyen, whose home also suffered significant damage, received $10,000.
  • Edna pastor Michel Yonts reported that his congregation and community were recovering well and needed just $10,000.
  • The remaining $166,000 was equally divided among the remaining four churches—each of which committed to reporting how these funds were used in relief work.

Jeremiah said the pastors described the unusual and immense burden of responsibility to their congregation and community each was carrying.

“Many are getting by on as little as three hours of sleep a night as they minister to the victims of Harvey,” Jeremiah said. “Please pray that they would get the rest they need and are protected from illness in this extraordinary time.”

In a previous conference call on September 5, these church leaders discussed with Jeremiah how to distribute the $66,000 that had been received in the Harvey fund up to then.

“It was decide to allocate $10,000 to each church to help with the immediate costs of members whose homes were no longer habitable,” Jermiah said. In addition, Laenger received $6,000 to help cover immediate living costs.

“In most cases, these homes had sustained flooding for seven days or more,” Jeremiah added.

“An example of a family that was helped is a retired couple who will have to replace their roof,” he said. “Being on a fixed income, covering the insurance deductible as well as their short-term living expenses was going to be a major challenge.”

Hurricane Irma

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In Florida, $36,000 of the $40,041.25 contributed to the Hurricane Irma fund as of September 28 has been distributed to the three EPC churches in the disaster area:

On September 26, Jeremiah and these pastors met via conference call to discuss ways the contributions could help meet needs in their congregations and communities.

Jeremiah noted that the pastors in Florida echoed the appreciation offered by the pastors in Texas, and also expressed concern for our churches in Puerto Rico—where Hurricane Maria made landfall with widespread impact 10 days after Irma lashed Florida.

“While each pastor reported they were still learning about the needs in their congregations, with some exceptions it appeared as if they escaped with relatively minor damage,” Jeremiah said.

He reported that the group decided to focus aid effort on church members whose homes had been damaged by the storm. New Hope received $8,000; First Orlando received $5,000; and Faith received $23,000—of the three congregations, Brooksville had the greatest number of homes that were damaged. Each church committed to report how these relief funds were used.

During the storm, New Hope and Faith served as shelters for their communities. Spencer said New Hope had “a memorable worship service on September 10 with about 100 people, 16 dogs, 4 cats and a rabbit.” First Orlando had offered their facility as a storm shelter, but it was not needed.

In addition, New Hope is raising funds locally to help the relief work in Immokalee, an under-resourced, largely agricultural community about 30 miles southeast of Fort Myers with a large migrant worker population and many trailer homes.

Call to Prayer and Fasting to mark one year of Andrew Brunson imprisonment

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AndrewBrunsonPrayerGuideOn October 7, EPC teaching elder Andrew Brunson will have been imprisoned in Turkey for one year. To mark the date, the denomination is issuing a Call to Prayer and Fasting for the weekend of October 7-8.

“We are asking everyone in the EPC to consider fasting and praying for Andrew on Saturday, October 7,” said Jeff Jeremiah, EPC Stated Clerk. “Also, we ask that our churches pray for Andrew and Norine during their worship services on Sunday, October 8.”

To help facilitate a corporate prayer, a bulletin insert is available in printable pdf format on the EPC website that includes Scripture prayers, as well as a specific prayer for the Brunson family. The bulletin insert—which is available in two sizes—was developed by Christ Community Church in Montreat, N.C. (the Brunsons’ home church) and the EPC Communications Department.

Brunson and his wife, Norine, have lived in Turkey since 1993. At the time of his arrest, he was serving as pastor of Izmir Resurrection Church in the coastal city of Izmir. He faces charges of espionage, acquiring secret political and military information, attempting to destroy constitutional order and overthrowing the Turkish parliament, and membership in an armed terroristic organization.

EPC churches help with Texas, Florida hurricane recovery efforts

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Hurricane Irma caused a large tree to fall on the home of Andy Black, an elder for Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Brooksville, Fla. (photo courtesy of Matthew Everhard)

EPC churches in Texas and Florida continue to both recover and minister in their communities following hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

Eddie Spencer, pastor of New Hope Presbyterian Church in Fort Myers, Fla., said Irma brought heavy winds and flooding rains to southwest Florida.

“A number of our folks have been hurt by flooding,” he said. “We will help them.”

Spencer also said the focus of their outreach efforts “will probably be Immokalee,” a largely agricultural community about 35 miles southeast of Fort Myers with a significant migrant worker population—many of whom live in trailer homes damaged or destroyed by the storm. “I am very proud of our church family. We have been very engaged in the community and caring for each other.”

He also noted that as of September 18, the church was without electricity. “We had church yesterday with generators and fans and people seemed delighted that I preached a shorter sermon.”

Matthew Everhard, pastor of Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Brooksville, Fla., said the homes of two of their elders were damaged—one severely—but he was not aware of any injuries or major casualties.

“Most else is debris-related,” he said, “but we are contacting all 400 members and our 100 shelter guests.”

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Hurricane Irma caused significant damage to the home of Jim Phinney, an elder for Faith EPC in Brooksville, Fla. (photo courtesy of Matthew Everhard)

The church used its Family Life Center as a shelter, where approximately 100 local residents rode out the storm. Everhard said everyone at the shelter “survived happy and well-fed,” but reported several leaks to the church building and damage to the facade.

Ikki Soma, pastor of City of Refuge Church in Houston, reported via email that one of their ruling elders’ homes “looked like a war zone,” following Hurricane Harvey, noting that the all the drywall in their home had been removed from floor to ceiling.

“It’s the most devastated home I’ve seen,” Soma said. “Most people only have three to five feet of drywall removed. Pray for him and his family. His wife lost her mother last Saturday too, and many mementos from her mom were lost in the flooding.”

Michael Herrin, Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of the Gulf South, requested prayer for Michel Yonts, pastor of Edna Presbyterian Church in Edna, Texas. Edna was in the path of Hurricane Harvey, and Herrin said the home Yonts still owns in Florida was hit by Hurricane Irma.

“Please pray for Michel and Pauline as they deal with this double dose of difficulty,” Herrin said.

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Following Hurricane Harvey, piles of rubble from flooded homes are a common sight in southeast Texas.

Herrin also reported that Daniel Situka, EPC teaching elder and a hospice chaplain in Houston, needs significant repairs to his home. “His house was flooded and his roof needs some repair, but he said it is hard to find a contractor,” Herrin said. “FEMA has inspected the house, and has recommended that some more wet material be removed.”

Herrin also said Situka ‘s car was totaled. “He has a rental car and is back to work, but will have to buy a new car. Daniel has been very impressed with how helpful everyone has been.”

Daniel Nguyen, an EPC evangelist working with the Bellaire Vietnamese Fellowship, expressed gratitude for the EPC’s Hurricane Harvey emergency relief fund.

“Thank you for showing your love of Christ through your prayers and financial support,” he said. “We have several members as well as non-Christian friends in our Vietnamese community who sorely need this kind of help to get back to their normal lives. As we earnestly share the gospel of Jesus Christ with our Vietnamese people, please pray for God to soften their hearts so they would soon receive Him as the Savior and Lord of their life.”

Alan Trafford, pastor of Covenant Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Lake Jackson, Texas, reported that flood waters from Hurricane Harvey have receded in southern Brazoria County, south of Houston.

“It hasn’t rained since the storm, thankfully, but the millions of gallons that fell on the Greater Houston area had to pass through the coastal counties to reach the Gulf,” Jackson said via email. “This is what caused our flooding, approximately ten days after the storm hit.”

He said volunteers from Covenant have worked closely with a local ministerial alliance in coordinating volunteer efforts and serving the area in a variety of ways.

“We have had a hand in many tasks, from feeding evacuees at one of the local shelters to collecting diapers for the Pregnancy Help Center, from unloading huge amounts of supplies for the local food pantries, to filling hundreds of sandbags,” he said. “It has been gratifying to see so many groups coming together to help, and we hope to work with groups from other churches in the coming months.”

Jackson noted that the need is “immense,” with more than 120,000 homes in Southeast Texas completely flooded, and thousands more damaged.

“Some of the poorest neighborhoods, in rural or unincorporated areas, have suffered the worst flooding,” he said. “We are sending teams out to rip out carpets and flooring, remove debris, and cut out drywall. About a dozen families in the church had water in their homes. The worst was one of our elders who got four feet of water in his newly remodeled house—his second flood in just over a year.”

He said the church’s new youth facility has been converted into accommodations for work groups. “We trust that the Lord will continue to use us to demonstrate the compassion of Christ.”

Jeff Jeremiah, EPC Stated Clerk, said contributions to the EPC’s emergency relief funds have helped local churches immensely.

“In the wake of Harvey, Irma, and now Maria in Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean, I am so grateful for the generosity of individuals and churches across the EPC who have helped our churches minister to their members and communities. I hope we can continue to bless them in this way.”

As of September 20, the Hurricane Harvey emergency relief fund has received $235,182 while the Hurricane Irma relief fund had received $14,976.

A Hurricane Maria relief fund has been approved by the National Leadership Team and will be announced by September 22. Maria caused significant damage in Puerto Rico—home to three EPC churches in the Presbytery of Florida and the Caribbean—including loss of power across the entire island.

Closer to God Church (Kearny, N.J.) receives 2017 Bart Hess Award

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Valdir Reis (right), pastor of Closer to God Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Kearny, N.J., received the Bart Hess Award on behalf of the congregation from Jeff Jeremiah during the church’s worship service on September 10.

Closer to God Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Kearny, N.J., is the recipient of the 2017 Bartlett L. Hess Award for church revitalization. The award was announced at the 37th General Assembly in June at Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church in Sacramento, Calif.

“This award is tremendous to our church,” pastor Valdir Reis told commissioners to the Assembly. “Thank you to the EPC, this faithful church that received us with much love.”

Jeff Jeremiah, EPC Stated Clerk, presented the award to the congregation during their September 10 worship service.

Jeremiah said Closer to God Church received the 2017 award “because of its outstanding outreach efforts into their local community, which includes those of Brazilian, Mexican, Portuguese, and Dominican background—as well as many immigrants.” He also noted that the church provides professional courses, medical care, legal assistance, and counseling to immigrant families.

“They also serve the underprivileged in the Newark area through a food bank and used clothing store that deeply discounts its prices,” Jeremiah said. “I’m excited for the great things the Lord is doing through their ministry.”

The church was launched on July 3, 2011, and came into the EPC’s Presbytery of the East on April 5, 2012.

The Hess Award is given annually to the EPC church that has demonstrated the most innovative approach to church growth or revitalization. Church growth—in both its spiritual and numerical aspects—is an essential part of the mission of the church. The award provides a vehicle by which positive, reproducible innovation is encouraged and shared with others in the EPC. It is named for Bartlett L. “Bart” Hess, founding pastor of Ward Church in suburban Detroit, who was instrumental in the establishment of the EPC in 1981.

Turkish court levels more charges against Andrew Brunson

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A Turkish court added three new charges against imprisoned EPC Teaching Elder Andrew Brunson on August 24. The charges include gathering state secrets for espionage, attempting to overthrow the Turkish parliament and government, and to change the constitutional order.

According to a report from the World News Group, Brunson could face up to four consecutive life sentences if convicted. The article quoted Brunson as saying during court proceedings, “I am a defender of Jesus Christ. I am a religious man who builds a church and does it in the knowledge of the state. I will never support any Islamic movement.”

“We are told in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to ‘pray without ceasing,’” said Jeff Jeremiah, EPC Stated Clerk. “Please do not stop praying for Andrew. He and his family need it more than ever.”

Brunson has been held since October 2016, and has been charged in a separate Turkish court with membership in the Fethullahist Terror Organization (FETÖ), the network of U.S.-based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gülen whom Turkish authorities blame for masterminding the July 2016 failed coup attempt.

Iconic golden hand back atop Port Gibson (Miss.) EPC church

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Written by Brandon O’Connor/The Vicksburg Post
Photos by Courtland Wells/The Vicksburg Post
Reprinted by permission

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Michael Herrin, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Port Gibson and Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of the Gulf South, reads a poem as The Hand Pointing to Heaven is hoisted atop the church’s steeple on Aug. 16.

The Hand Pointing to Heaven is once again in its rightful place atop the steeple of First Presbyterian Church in Port Gibson, Miss.

The 10-feet 4-inch, 250 pound golden fist with its index finger pointing skyward was returned to the top of the steeple at First Presbyterian on Aug. 16 following a two-month restoration process.

The golden hand was taken down from the steeple on June 26 and sent to Virginia where it was restored and then recovered in gold plate.

“We sent it to American Stripping Company in Manassas Park, Virginia.” Rev. Michael Herrin said. “They stripped off the previous coatings, repaired the metal, it had rust mainly on the cuff around the bottom. They then prepared the surface for gilding. The gilder’s studio from Maryland put the gold plate on it. It is real gold plate, just real thin.”

The hand was then shipped back to Port Gibson where it was originally scheduled to be reinstalled Aug. 9. Inclement weather caused a slight delay in the process, but Wednesday it was raised back to the top of the steeple where it sits 147 feet above the ground.

“It is a symbol of Port Gibson,” Herrin said. “It is a symbol of what we are all supposed to be about. It reminds us that this life isn’t about us. It is about God. It does what steeples are supposed to do. They are supposed to point us to God.”

There was some question Wednesday of whether they would raise the hand to the top of the steeple or not after a few cracks were found in the back when it was unwrapped. They decided to go ahead after sealing the cracks to keep water out.

“I carried it up there with a mattress and it worked fine,” Jimmy Cassell, the chairman of the Deacon’s Board, said. “They built some cradle they wanted me to bring it back in. That cradle is too hard evidentially, and when we hit bumps it bent it a little bit. We calked it and hopefully it is going to be alright.”

After the repairs were made and members of the congregation had the chance to have their pictures taken with it, the hand was raised to the top of the steeple using a crane. There it had to be bolted back onto the steeple and the lightning rod had to be attached.

A hand has been atop the steeple of First Presbyterian since 1860, when the current building was finished. The original hand was made of wood and this hand, which is made of metal, was purchased and placed atop the steeple in 1903.

“The original minister, Dr. Zebulon Butler, during his sermons would make the hand gesture,” Cassell said. “They took that hand gesture and made it.”

It has been a fixture of Port Gibson ever since. The hand was last taken down from the steeple in 1989 to be refurbished.

“It is always scary when it comes down because there are so many things that could happen,” Azalea Knight, who has been a member of the church since 1972, said. “It is such a landmark for the state of Mississippi and Port Gibson. It is beautiful and I am so excited to see it back up. It is such a void while it was gone.”

Norma Bearden made the drive from Natchez to see the golden hand returned to the steeple. The hand and the church hold a special place in her heart and she wanted to be there for its return.

“I was married in this church in 1979. It really was a good feeling that we are trying to keep the town up. It brought back a lot of good feelings about my wedding,” Bearden said. “I grew up in the area and I saw the hand nearly everyday of my life. I thought it was monumental that we have been able to keep it restored and in such good condition. It shows the pride of everybody in the Presbyterian Church.”

The two month long project cost the church $43,000 Herrin said.

“I am so thankful for all the people that contributed to this and did it. It is so great to have deacons who will take a project and just run with it,” he said. “It looks wonderful. Beautiful, golden, shiny. I think it does its job. It points people to Christ and that is all we can ask.”

Goodwill EPC (N.Y.) mourns two members lost in Mississippi military plane crash

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Gunnery Sgt. Mark Hopkins (left) and Staff Sgt. Joshua Snowden (right).

Two of the 16 U.S. service members killed when a U.S. military plane crashed in Mississippi in July were members of Goodwill Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Montgomery, N.Y. Gunnery Sgt. Mark Hopkins, 34, and Staff Sgt. Joshua Snowden, 31, were serving in the U.S. Marine Corps when the KC-130 refueling tanker crashed July 10 near Itta Bena, Miss., about 85 miles north of Jackson.

John Torres, Pastor of Goodwill EPC, said the two Marines were well-respected members of the congregation.

“Josh was faithful in his attendance, and Mark was also very active in the church,” he said, noting that Hopkins was “very well known in his unit as a strong Christian. Mark fostered a sense of community wherever he went, and my prayer is that as a church we will honor him by modeling that as we minister to his family.”

He said Snowden, a Texas native, “always had a bit of home in him, whether it was his hat or his truck. Words can’t express how much these men will be missed—not only by their families of course, but by our church.”

Torres said Brian Hill, EPC Chaplain and Pastor of the nearby Circleville (N.Y.) Evangelical Presbyterian Church, also has been ministering to the community following the accident.

“I am so thankful for Brian, who has been helping the families and community here,” Torres said.  “I think this tragedy has reminded us that our soldiers don’t have to be deployed to be in harm’s way, so I pray that all of our military chaplains would be in the best possible position to minister on their respective bases.”

Snowden is survived by his parents, one sister, and four brothers. Click here for a full obituary notice.

Hopkins is survived by his wife, Patricia, and three children: Wyatt, 2, Abby, 1, and Lewis, 5 months. Click here for a full obituary notice.

The aircraft was part of the Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 452 based at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, N.Y. The squadron is a reserve unit of the U.S. Marine Corps. At the time of the accident, the flight from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina was transporting personnel and equipment to Naval Air Field El Centro, Calif.

Transitional Pastor call approved by 37th General Assembly

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Creation of a new called position of Transitional Pastor was adopted by the EPC 37th General Assembly on June 22 at Fair Oaks Church in Sacramento, Calif. The action not only created and defined the Transitional Pastor position, but also clarified the role of Stated Supply Pastor in Section 10-7 of the Book of Government regarding temporary pastoral relationships.

Jerry Iamurri, EPC Assistant Stated Clerk and former member of the Ministerial Vocation Committee, noted that the committee worked to more accurately reflect the role of an interim pastor in the life of both a local church and the EPC.

“The committee recommended changing the title of Interim Pastor to Transitional Pastor because it more accurately defines the task, and further establishes the role as a ‘call’ from the Session of a church,” Iamurri said.

The provisions of the call state that a Transitional Pastor:

  • Is called by the Session to serve a congregation while it is seeking a pastor.
  • Intentionally leads the congregation toward greater health and readiness for their next pastor.
  • Will ordinarily be appointed by the presbytery to moderate the Session during his or her time of service.
  • Would retain membership in his or her home presbytery, if different from that in which the call is located.
  • Are introduced to the receiving presbytery and enrolled as a corresponding member (voice but no vote) upon approval of the Ministerial Committee.

In addition, those called from outside the EPC would be examined by the presbytery and transferred according to applicable provisions of the Book of Government.

The Ministerial Vocation Committee will oversee the training, certification, and ongoing support of Transitional Pastors.

In clarifying the Stated Supply position, the action allows churches that do not want a transitional pastor to still invite a minister to serve as Stated Supply, and for ministers from outside the EPC to serve as Stated Supply pastors without transferring their ordination to the EPC.

In related actions, the Assembly approved four amendments to the Book of Government:

  • Adjusted the wording in two sections related to the term of service for an out-of-bounds call to reflect that such term is renewable for up to three years. The amendment brings the two passages into alignment, limits the length of an out-of-bounds term to three years (with permission to continue renewable), and gives presbyteries discretion to set a shorter term.
  • A presbytery may authorize its Ministerial Committee to serve as a judicial or administrative commission, or be appointed as an ongoing administrative commission. The action allows the committee to dissolve pastoral relationships and dismiss Teaching Elders (according to the EPC Book of Order) when both the congregation and the Pastor concur; approve temporary pastoral relationships; review terms of call or invitations for all pastoral relationships (excluding out-of-bounds) to ensure that the terms meet the minimum established standards; ordain and/or install Teaching Elders in accordance with provisions in the Book of Government; and appoint advisors for Candidates Under Care and mentors for Commissioned Pastors.
  • Added the Transitional Pastor as a recognized pastoral relationship for Teaching Elders in a congregational setting.
  • Clarified that a Session may call a Teaching Elder as Assistant Pastor or Transitional Pastor, and is authorized to invite a Teaching Elder as Stated Supply Pastor or Occasional Supply Pastor—all of which must be approved by the presbytery since they involve a Teaching Elder.

#epc2017ga

Longtime EPC pastor Bob Hopper dies at 65

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BobHopperRobert D. “Bob” Hopper passed away suddenly on Monday, June 12, in Elyria, Ohio. He was 65. At the time of his death he was serving as Transitional Pastor for Bay Presbyterian Church in Bay Village, Ohio.

A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Hopper graduated from Grove City College in Grove City, Pa., in 1973, where he met his future wife, Tacey (Keller), in the freshman orientation line. They were married in the Grove City College Chapel in January 1974. The Hoppers both later graduated from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Hamilton, Mass.

Bob began full-time vocational ministry in 1977 as a pastor in the United Presbyterian Church, where he served for four years, and then spent fourteen years as a pastor and church planter in the Presbyterian Church in America. In the EPC, he served 11 years as pastor of North Park Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Wexford, Pa., and later served interim roles as Transitional Pastor for First Presbyterian Church in Fresno, Calif.; Southport Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, Ind.; Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Wichita, Kan.; and Central Presbyterian Church in St Louis, Mo.

The Hoppers’ ministry extended to the Byerzhitsa Church in Bryansk, Russia, where they have participated in short-term projects for more than 20 years—including orphanage ministry and helping with the construction of several of church plants of the Byerzhitsa congregation. Bob also was involved in numerous mentoring and discipleship activities, including serving as an EPC Transitional Pastor coach/mentor, an NRA Firearms Training Counselor, and a certified SIG SAUER Master Firearms Instructor.

His favorite pastimes were spending time with his family, and shooting with family and friends. He also was an avid Pittsburgh Pirates fan.

He is survived by his wife, Tacey; daughter and son-in-law Jessie and Aaron Zacek of Prospect, N.Y.; son and daughter-in-law Seth and Lacy Hopper of Indianapolis, Ind.; son Luke Hopper of Fort Campbell, Ky.; and eight grandchildren: Abigail, Joshua, Madeline, Samantha, and Nathaniel Zacek, and Mikayla, Angela, and Tyler Hopper.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 18, at North Park Evangelical Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Bob’s memory to further the ministry of the Byerzhitsa Church—all donations should be made out to North Park Church with “Bryansk” on the memo line.

Click here for a full obituary notice.

Turkey levels charges against Andrew Brunson

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Andrew Brunson

Andrew Brunson

Turkish media is reporting May 19 that EPC teaching elder Andrew Brunson is being accused of being a “Kurdish sympathizer” and a “Gülenist.” The timing of the media reports potentially reveals Turkey’s response to President Trump and Vice President Pence’s pleas to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on May 16 to release Brunson from prison and allow him to return to the United States. Brunson has been held since October 2016.

“I cannot stress enough how significant these accusations are,” said Jeff Jeremiah, EPC Stated Clerk. “In fact, the Turkish government views them as nothing less than treason.”

Hurriyet, the leading English-language news outlet in Turkey, reported that prosecutors are citing Brunson for “delivering sermons to the Kurds with a ‘special purpose’”—wording that implies support for an ethnic group that Turkey is waging a military campaign against. The Kurds are a minority group in Turkey (primarily located in the eastern and southeastern parts of the country, as well in Iran, Iraq, and Syria) and for many years have unsuccessfully pressed for more autonomy.

Yeni Şafak, a pro-Erdoğan news outlet, published an article yesterday under the headline “FETO Chaplain” that condemned Brunson for supporting Islamic cleric Fethulah Gülen, who has lived in the United States since 1999. Gülen leads a loose organization involved largely in education but also in other areas. Gülen and Erdoğan are former allies, but in 2015 the Turkish government labeled his movement the Fethullahist Terror Organization—or FETO—and classified it as terrorist. Erdoğan blames Gülen and FETO for leading a coup attempt against him last summer that ultimately failed. Gülen has repeatedly denied the charge.

“It is time to redouble our prayer efforts,” Jeremiah said in a statement to the EPC. “Please take time in your worship services this weekend to plead to the Lord on Andrew’s behalf.”

Trump, Pence press Andrew Brunson’s release to Turkish President Erdoğan in White House meetings

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FreePastorAndrew

In meetings held on May 16, U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence appealed to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for Andrew Brunson’s release. Brunson, an EPC teaching elder, has been imprisoned in Izmir, Turkey, since October 2016.

The EPC received reports from two different sources that both Trump and Pence advocated for Andrew’s freedom.

Jeff Jeremiah, EPC Stated Clerk, said that one of these individuals “told us that Mr. Pence asked him to reach out to the EPC directly. I know I speak for the Brunson family in expressing our most sincere appreciation to the President and Vice President for their efforts today.”

Jeremiah noted four items that occurred in the meetings:

  1. Pence met with the Turkish leader first, and pleaded that Andrew’s case be expedited and resolved as quickly as possible.
  2. At the lunch that followed, Trump raised Andrew’s case at both the beginning and end of lunch. His plea was very similar in language with the Vice President’s.
  3. After the lunch, Pence raised it a final time.
  4. Pence was personally engaged in this with Erdoğan, and Trump spoke knowledgeably about Andrew’s situation.

“We are all very grateful for the prayers of so many people in the days leading up to today’s events,” Jeremiah added. “Please keep praying in the aftermath of this meeting.”

Brunson’s situation has garnered attention from news organizations across the theological and political spectrum, including ABC News, CBS News, The Christian Post, Fox News, International Christian Concern, Jewish News Service, National Catholic Register, National Review, Presbyterian Lay Committee, Slate, Time Magazine, USA Today, World Watch Monitor, and others. Links to many of these reports are available on the EPC’s Andrew Brunson resource page at www.epc.org/forgottenamericaninturkey.

EPC leaders highlight spring commencement exercises

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Three EPC leaders will deliver commencement speeches for institutions of higher learning in May 2017.

JeffJeremiah

Jeff Jeremiah

Jeff Jeremiah, EPC Stated Clerk, will speak at Knox Theological Seminary. Mike Moses, Pastor of Lake Forest Church in Huntersville, N.C. and Moderator of the 35th General Assembly, will address Montreat College. Sandy Willson, Pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tenn., will speak at the Memphis Center for Urban Theological Studies (MCUTS).

The graduation ceremony for Knox Theological Seminary will be May 19 at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The seminary was founded in 1989 by Dr. D. James Kennedy and leaders of the Coral Ridge congregation, whose desire was to establish a seminary with a theological perspective of historic Reformed theology as expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms. More than 300 students are currently enrolled in Knox’s residential and online learning programs.

MikeMoses

Mike Moses

The commencement service for Montreat College will be held May 13 at 2:00 p.m. in the school’s Anderson Auditorium in Montreat, N.C. An independent, Christ-centered, liberal arts institution in North Carolina, Montreat College has undergraduate campuses in Montreat and Black Mountain, and adult and graduate studies locations in Asheville, Charlotte, Morganton, Montreat, and online.

SandyWillson

Sandy Willson

The MCUTS commencement ceremony will be held May 1 at 6:00 p.m. at Life Church in Memphis. The non-denominational educational institution provides affordable, accessible, and accredited theological education and training for people serving in the urban context. Affiliated with Lancaster Bible College and Capitol Seminary and Graduate School, it was formed in 2000 through the collaborative effort of the Memphis Leadership Foundation, Neighborhood Christian Centers, Hope Christian Community Foundation, Second Presbyterian Church, and Hope Presbyterian Church.

Andrew Brunson’s imprisonment featured in April 13 NPR segment

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National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered” afternoon news program broadcast a segment April 13 on Andrew Brunson’s imprisonment in Turkey. Interviewed for the story were Andrew’s sister, Beth Herman, U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner, and Cece Heil, a lawyer with the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), which is representing the Brunsons in legal efforts to secure Andrew’s release.

Click here to listen to the 3-minute, 37-second story. “All Things Considered” is the most listened-to radio program of its kind in the country.

NPR

First Orlando’s Case Thorp pens Wall Street Journal op-ed on Keller/Princeton flap

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Case Thorp, Senior Associate Pastor of the EPC’s First Presbyterian Church of Orlando and an alumnus of Princeton Theological Seminary, has written an op-ed article published in the Wall Street Journal on March 23. Thorp’s piece addresses the recent controversy surrounding the seminary’s retraction of its annual Kuyper Prize for Excellence in Reformed Theology and Public Witness. Earlier this year, the mainline seminary announced that it would present the award to Keller, but rescinded the honor on March 22 in response to protests by individuals who do not support the PCA (of which Keller is a member)’s stance on female and LGBTQ clergy.

The article on the Wall Street Journal is behind a paywall, but you can click here to read it on Thorp’s blog at www.casethorp.com.

ThorpWSJ

Andrew Brunson subject of U.N. oral intervention; Turkey may accelerate trial

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Andrew Brunson

Andrew Brunson

The International Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) delivered an oral intervention March 10 to the 34th session of United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, on behalf of EPC teaching elder Andrew Brunson. Brunson has been imprisoned in Turkey since October 7, 2016. The ACLJ is representing the Brunson family in legal efforts to secure Andrew’s release and return to the United States.

Also on March 9, USA Today reported that Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim will consider speeding up Brunson’s trial on charges of “membership in an armed terrorist organization.” The Brunson family, the EPC, and the ACLJ strongly refute the allegation, and the charging documents state that no evidence has been gathered against him.

“Please pray for Andrew and his wife regarding these new developments,” said Jeff Jeremiah, EPC Stated Clerk. “She especially needs our prayers as she not only remains in Turkey to minister to Andrew in her weekly visits, but also deals with the emotional roller coaster of emotions when new developments occur.”

The EPC has set up an Andrew Brunson Resources web page that provides information about the ongoing situation, ways to keep Andrew’s plight in the public eye, and links to news article about his imprisonment.

EPC Pastor Jerry Iamurri named Assistant Stated Clerk

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jerryiamurri

Jerry Iamurri

Jerry Iamurri, Pastor of Bethany Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Havertown, Pa., has been named Assistant Stated Clerk for the EPC Office of the General Assembly. He fills the role being vacated by Ed McCallum, who has served in this capacity since 1998.

“I am excited to serve the EPC as Assistant Stated Clerk,” Iamurri said. “I’m looking forward to serving pastors and church leaders in areas of polity and supporting the four strategic initiatives. The EPC has been a great home for me, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude to the Lord for this opportunity.”

He has served as Pastor of Bethany EPC since 2008. Under his leadership, the congregation transitioned to the EPC in 2012. He previously served Presbyterian congregations in Forest Grove, Philadelphia, and Ardmore, Pa.; El Paso, Texas; and Toms River, N.J. In addition to his ministry experience, Iamurri was an Assistant District Attorney for the Philadelphia (Pa.) District Attorney’s Office from 1999 to 2003. As a trial and appellate attorney, he litigated more than 5,000 preliminary hearings and tried more than 500 felony cases.

He also is a previous chairman of the EPC Ministerial Vocation Committee.

Iamurri earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 2014; a juris doctorate from the Widener University School of Law in Wilmington, Del., in 1998; a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1993, and a bachelor’s degree in political science and English from Allegheny College in 1989.

The Assistant Stated Clerk Search Team consisted of EPC Stated Clerk Jeff Jeremiah and National Leadership Team members Scott Griffin (Moderator) and Leigh Swanson (Personnel Committee chair).

“It was clear to all three of us,” Jeremiah noted, “that God has been preparing Jerry ‘for such a time as this’ in the life of the EPC. He is uniquely gifted to carry on the level of excellence and care that Ed McCallum brought to the role for almost 20 years. I couldn’t be more pleased that Jerry has chosen to join the team in Orlando at the Office of the General Assembly.”

“I am thankful to Ed McCallum for his years of faithful service,” Griffin added, “and delighted that God has provided the perfect replacement. God has been preparing Jerry his whole life to step into the role, and I am delighted for the opportunity to serve beside him.”

Swanson said that Iamurri has “unique experience, exceptional gifting, a warm personality, and a deep love for Christ and His church. I am thrilled that Jerry has agreed to become the Assistant Stated Clerk of the EPC.”

Iamurri and his wife, Sandi, have two children: Matthew, 12, and Kimberly, 10. Jerry begins his responsibilities in Orlando on April 24.

McCallum is retiring from the Assistant Stated Clerk role after 19 years. He and his wife, Nan, were commissioned as World Outreach global workers through the International Theological Education Network (ITEN) at the 2016 General Assembly. They start their new ministry in July 2017.

Congressional leaders release letter requesting Andrew Brunson’s freedom

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senateletterrelease

The Foreign Affairs committees of the United States House and Senate issued a press release on February 16 calling for the immediate release of EPC teaching Elder Andrew Brunson. The press release urging Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to grant Brunson’s freedom was signed by 78 members of Congress and includes both Republicans and Democrats.

https://foreignaffairs.house.gov/press-release/congressional-leaders-seek-release-american-pastor-unjustly-detained-turkey/

Brunson was detained in October 2016 and falsely charged with “membership in an armed terrorist organization” in December. He has been held for more than four months despite the charging documents presenting no evidence against him.

U.S. Senate letter to Turkey garners 78 congressional signatures to release Andrew Brunson

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sfrc_andrewbrunsonletterAn open letter from the U.S. Senate to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Turkey, has garnered 78 signatures from members of the Unites States Congress. The letter requests that EPC teaching elder Andrew Brunson, “an American citizen who has been unjustly detained in Turkey, be immediately released and deported.”

Signatories to the letter remind Erdoğan that Brunson’s imprisonment “has been raised repeatedly by U.S. Government officials with officials of the Government of Turkey. Unfortunately, high-level efforts to secure Mr. Brunson’s release have been unsuccessful. We have closely followed developments with this case, and are deeply disappointed.”

The letter was led by Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Representatives Ed Royce (R-Calif.) and Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), the chairman and ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

“I continue to be very grateful for our friends on Capitol Hill,” said Jeff Jeremiah, EPC Stated Clerk. “The letter they have drafted sends a very clear message that we want nothing less than Andrew safely back in the United States soon.”

Click here to read the full text of the letter, which is expected to be released by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to national media outlets on February 16.

Other Senators who have signed are Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Shelly Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Christopher Coons (D-Del.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Ron Paul (R-Ky.), David Perdue (R-Ga.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), James E. Risch (R-Idaho), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), Roger F. Wicker (R-Miss.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.);

Representatives who have signed are Robert B. Aderholt (R-Ala.), Brian Babin (R-Texas), Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Mike Bost (R-Ill.), Brendan F. Boyle (D-Pa.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), David N. Cicilline (D-R.I.), Gerry E. Connolly (D-Va.), Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.), Garret Graves (R-La.), Bill Flores (R-Texas), Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), Thomas A. Garrett Jr. (R-Va.), George Holding (R-N.C.), Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.), Walter B. Jones (R-N.C.), David P. Joyce (R-Ohio), Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill), Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.), Tom Marino (R-Pa.), James P. McGovern (D-Mass.), Patrick T. McHenry (R-N.C.), Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), Robert Pittenger (R-N.C.), Ted Poe (R-Texas), David E. Price (D-N.C.), Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.), Peter J. Roskam (R-Ill.), Steve Russell (R-Okla.), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), Christopher H. Smith (R-N.J.), and David G. Valadao (R-Calif.).

Signature counter on Andrew Brunson petition now registering

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brunsonpetitionb

For the first time since it launched on February 6, the White House petition to free Andrew Brunson is now indicating more than one signature. On February 14, the counter moved from 1 to 208 in the late afternoon (EST), then slowly grew in number to approximately 1200 by 10:00 p.m. As of Wednesday morning, the petition was registering more than 3,800 signatures. The petition needs 100,000 signatures by March 8 to receive a response from the White House.

The petition is available at https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/forgotten-american-turkey.

Andrew Brunson

Andrew Brunson

Jeff Jeremiah, EPC Stated Clerk, is requesting that all EPC churches inform the members of their congregations about Brunson’s situation.

“If your church has an email newsletter, would you consider using it to make your congregation aware of Andrew’s situation and this action they can take on his behalf?” he said. “A quick way to bring your people up to speed is to share our EPConnection articles and our Facebook page.”

These are available at www.epconnection.org/?s=brunson  and www.facebook/EPChurch.

Individuals are encouraged to share these articles among their social media networks, and include the hashtag #ForgottenAmericanInTurkey and the Twitter handles @WhiteHouse and @realDonaldTrump as they share these links.

Andrew Brunson petition signatures being counted, no report on Trump-Erdoğan talks

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brunsonpetition

The EPC has received information from a reliable source that every signature on the EPC’s #ForgottenAmericanInTurkey petition is reaching a “central register” in the White House. There have been concerns that signatures were not being tallied since the counter on the petition website has remained at “1 Signed” since it launched on February 6. The same individual reported that the White House petition system is receiving higher traffic than it has experienced in the past, which is “overwhelming the register.”

Andrew Brunson

Andrew Brunson

The petition is an effort to bring EPC teaching elder Andrew Brunson’s plight in Turkey to the attention of the White House and President Donald Trump.

Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan talked for a reported 45 minutes by telephone on February 7. As of February 10, there has been no confirmation that the two leaders discussed anything related to Brunson’s imprisonment.

The petition is available at https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/forgotten-american-turkey. In addition, citizens can contact the White House at www.whitehouse.gov/contact – page and are encouraged to share the link to the petition among their social media networks.

Brunson was arrested in October 2016 and falsely charged with “membership in an armed terrorist organization” in December. He has been held for more than four months despite the charging documents presenting no evidence against him.