Category Archives: Uncategorized

Memphis church planter closes Friday morning with brief report

GA2018LI-TimJohnsonTheAvenue Tim Johnson, Commissioned Pastor for The Avenue, an EPC church plant in the Summer Avenue area of Memphis, brought a brief report at the close of the Friday morning business session of the 38th General Assembly at Hope Church in Cordova, Tenn.

He noted that the church plant, which hopes to launch later in 2018, is “not trying to do anything unique or special, but is seeking to plant the flag of Jesus” in an under-resourced part of Memphis.

“What we want to see is that in 20 years, people would come to Summer Avenue and ask ‘what happened here?'” Johnson said. “And we want to hear someone else answer, ’20 years ago, some people who loved Jesus came here.’”

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38th General Assembly celebrates EPC chaplains

GA2018LI-ChaplainLineup Mark Ingles, EPC Chaplain Endorser and Teaching Elder in the Presbytery of the West, introduced 25 of the denomination’s chaplains to attendees of the 38th General Assembly at Hope Church in Cordova, Tenn., on June 21. He reported that the number of EPC chaplains has increased from 36 in 2012 to 65 in 2018.

“These dedicated men and women are called by God to serve outside the local church,” Ingles said, noting that chaplains can many times feel isolated in their ministries.

“They often work for a secular institution that doesn’t always appreciate the work that they are doing. So we need to pray for them, care for them, love them, and support them.”

Chaplains in attendance at the 38th Assembly were (left to right):

Jason Riggs
Clinical Chaplain, W.G. (Bill) Hefner Veterans Administration Medical Center
Salisbury, N.C.

Lt. Cmdr. Tim Foster, USNR
Command Chaplain, USS Fitzgerald
Pascagoula, Miss.
(Also serves as Senior Pastor of Highland Heights EPC in Memphis, Tenn.)

Ron Pierce
Chaplain, Mobile County Sheriff’s Office and FBI Mobile Field Office
Mobile, Ala.

Jennifer Prechter
Chaplain, Pediatric Palliative Care Team, Arnold Palmer Medical Center
Orlando, Florida

Bob Claus
Acute Care Chaplain, Dignity Health Care
Phoenix, Ariz.

Lt. Col. John Torres
Deputy Wing Chaplain, 105th Airlift Wing, Stewart Air National Guard Base
Newburgh, N.Y.
Also serves as Pastor of Goodwill Church, Montgomery, N.Y.

Lt. Col. Marty Fields
Wing Chaplain, 172nd Airlift Wing
Jackson, Miss.
(Also serves as Senior Pastor of Grace Chapel Madison in Madison, Miss.)

Scott Rash
Chaplain, Liberty Hospital Hospice
Liberty, Mo.

Kate Huddelson
Chaplain, University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, Kan.

Lt. Josh Schatzle
Chaplain, U.S. Navy Reserve
St. Louis, Mo.
(Also serves as Pastor of Hope Church, Carbondale, Ill.)

Maj. David Horton
Branch Chief, 86th Air Wing Chaplain, Ramstein Air Force Base
Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany

Capt. B.J. Newman
Chaplain, Ohio Air National Guard
Dayton, Ohio
(Also serves as Adult Discipleship and Care Pastor for Kirkmont Presbyterian Church in Beavercreek, Ohio)

Sam Adamson
Chief Chaplain, Veterans Administration Greater Los Angeles Health Care System
Los Angeles, Calif.

Capt. Bryan Knedgen
Battalion Chaplain, 406th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, U.S. Army Reserves
Ann Arbor, Mich.

Capt. Patrick Cobb
Medical Professional Brigade Chaplain, Army Medical Defense Department Center and School, Joint Base San Antonio
Ft. Sam Houston, Texas

James Harris
Chaplain Candidate, USAF Reserves
(Also serves as Director of Community Groups and College Ministries for Reynolda EPC Village Campus, Winston-Salem, N.C.)

Ted Tromble
Staff Chaplain, Aurora BayCare Medical Center
Green Bay, Wisc.

Lt. Col. John Rhodes
Chaplain, Mississippi Wing Civil Air Patrol, DeSoto Composite Squadron
Olive Branch, Miss.

Maj. John Richards
Chaplain, U.S. Army Reserve
Belle Chase, La.

Maj. Jason Kim
Deputy Wing Chaplain, Nellis Air Force Base
Las Vegas, Nev.

Capt. Graham Baily
USAF Chaplain, Whiteman Air Force Base
Knob Noster, Mo.

Helen Franssell
Chaplain, Capital Caring Hospice, Northern Virginia Region
Falls Church, Va.

Nick Tyler
Battalion Chaplain, 1030th Transportation Battalion, Virginia National Guard
Gate City, Va.

Ross O’Dell
Chaplain, Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources, Northeast Indiana Region
Columbia City, Ind.
(Also serves as Pastor of Trinity EPC in Columbia City, Ind.)

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‘How does Jesus see your city?’ asks 38th GA host pastor Rufus Smith

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Rufus Smith, Senior Pastor of Hope Church in Cordova, Tenn.

In the Thursday morning worship service of the 38th General Assembly, host pastor Rufus Smith of Hope Church in Cordova, Tenn., asked the attendees of the 38th General Assembly, “How does Jesus see your city?”

Speaking on Matthew 9:35-38, Smith related his personal story of coming to faith in Christ as a teenager by describing five actions of Jesus described in the passage.

First, the Hope Church Senior Pastor noted that Jesus “went.”

“He was out among the people,” Smith said. “Before we ever get to this text, Jesus had already had seven encounters with people. I’m in the kingdom today because someone did that in my city.”

Second, Smith said that Jesus “saw” as He went among the people.

“He saw their physical needs, and he saw their spiritual needs,” he said. “You can’t know if you don’t go.”

Third, Smith emphasized that Jesus “acted.”

“Jesus had compassion for those He saw,” Smith said. “An equation for this is sympathy plus action equals compassion. On the other hand, sympathy plus inaction equals ‘nice’—which is a kind way to do nothing.”

Fourth, he noted that Jesus “said.”

“He said to His disciples, ‘the harvest is plenteous.’ What do you say about people?” Smith asked. “Do you say they are hellions or are they a harvest? Are you cursing the dark or lighting a candle? How does Jesus see your city? How do you see your city?”

He reminded the GA attendees, “Someone in your city is waiting for the harvester to come.”

Finally Smith said Jesus “sent.”

“He is the Lord of the harvest,” Smith said, “and He has been harvesting a long time. He says to me and you to go and be a harvester.”

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Tom Werner elected Moderator of 38th GA

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Tom Ricks (right), Pastor of Greentree Community Church in Kirkwood, Mo., leads the prayer for Tom Werner as former General Assembly Moderators in attendance lay hands on the newly elected Moderator of the 38th General Assembly.

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Tom Werner

Tom Werner, Ruling Elder from Greentree Community Church in Kirkwood, Mo., was elected Moderator of the EPC’s 38^th General Assembly on June 20 at Hope Church in Cordova, Tenn. The vote was unanimous.

“You have granted me a great honor,” Werner said. “I look forward to serving the Evangelical Presbyterian Church with great pleasure.”

Until his retirement in 2015, Werner worked as an attorney for a St. Louis-based technology company, where he was General Counsel and served in various business capacities. He previously practiced law for several firms in St. Louis.

He has served on the EPC’s Theology Committee, including one year as Chair, and contributed to the EPC Leadership Training Guide. He also has served as Moderator of the Presbytery of Mid-America, and on the presbytery’s Ministerial Committee. He has participated on missions teams to Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Honduras, and Albania.

Werner has degrees from DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind.; St. Louis University Law School; a Masters in Taxation from Washington University Law School; and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis.

He and his wife, Susan, have been married for 40 years and have two adult children and three grandchildren. They have attended Greentree Community Church for nearly 20 years, and previously attended Central Presbyterian Church in St. Louis.

Eli Morris challenges 38th General Assembly to live Philippians 2

GA2018LI-EliMorrisMessage Eli Morris, Senior Associate Pastor of Hope Church in Cordova, Tenn., challenged the EPC’s 38th General Assembly immediately prior to the opening business session at Hope Church on Wednesday, June 20.

“How can we as churches live Philippians 2?” Morris asked the attendees. “Not that we have the strength, or the numbers, or the theology. Do we have the humility to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our communities?”

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Live webcast available for 38th General Assembly worship, business sessions

GA2018Banner The 38^th General Assembly worship services, business sessions, and Leadership Institute plenary sessions are available via live stream online at www.epc.org/ga2018livestream and in the GA mobile app beginning on Wednesday, June 20.

The Assembly is at Hope Church in suburban Memphis, Tenn.

“I know many people are not able to attend the Assembly in person, but want to follow the proceedings and hear our worship speakers,” said Jeff Jeremiah, EPC Stated Clerk. “I am thankful that so many people are able to stay connected through our webcast.”

Note that due to copyright restrictions, Immaculée Ilibagiza’s Leadership Institute session on Wednesday morning and comedian Michael Jr.’s concert on Wednesday evening cannot be streamed. In addition, the global worker commissioning portion of the Thursday evening worship service will not be broadcast due to security concerns.

For more information about the 38th General Assembly, including full schedule, speaker bios, and more, see www.epc.org/ga2018.

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2018 Leadership Institute: Being a Public, Media-Friendly Evangelical in the Trump Era

GA2018LI-MediaFriendlyEvangelical In the 2018 Leadership Institute seminar Being a Public, Media-Friendly Evangelical in the Trump Era, Carmen LaBerge described how she got involved with national media as a resource they could call on to provide Christian perspective.

“I went to the meetings of the press associations and introduced myself as someone they could contact if they ever needed background information on topics of faith,” she said. “How else was I going to cultivate a relationship with the writers of the NY Times and the Washington Post? The notion that the Bible might say something about government was totally foreign to them.”

She encouraged the attendees to build relationships with members of the media in their locales.

“Many times, they are the Ethiopian eunuch on the road and we need to be the Phillip,” she said.

LaBerge is a writer, speaker, and Christian talk radio host. She has hosted the daily Christian radio talk show The Reconnect with Carmen LaBerge since 2016.

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2018 Leadership Institute: Discipleship in Student Ministry

GA2018LI-StudentMinistry In the 2018 Leadership Institute seminar Discipleship in Student Ministry, Meg DeHaven discussed ways to invest in student ministry volunteer leaders.

“Be creative in how you invest in your leaders. It’s not always spiritual discipleship, but it can be as simple as giving them a week off from leading youth activities each season, or a Smoothie King gift certificate so they don’t have to eat pizza all the time.”

DeHaven serves as Director of Children and Youth for Bethany EPC in Havertown, Pa.

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2018 Leadership Institute: Discerning the Spirits

GA2018LI-DiscerningSpirits In the 2018 Leadership Institute seminar Discerning the Spirits, Sharon Beekmann described several methods that Satan employs.

“One of the ways Satan works is as a tempter,” she said. “Satan does not always tempt us to do things that are inherently evil, but he does try to get us to do things that are outside the will of God.”

Beekmann is author of Rescued and Redeemed: How to Discern Demons from the Divine and Silencing Satan: Handbook of Biblical Demonology. She serves as Associate Professor at Denver Theological Seminary.

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2018 Leadership Institute: Putting Baptism to Use

GA2018LI-Baptism In the 2018 Leadership Institute seminar Putting Baptism to Use, Mike Glodo reminded the gathering that baptism’s principle symbolism is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

“Baptism symbolizes that we died with him,” he said. “It doesn’t just speak of the start of the Christian life, it speaks to the whole Christian life. So our baptisms are a visible word to illustrate ethical implications. And this word says I’ve died to sin and self, and was raised to new life.”

Glodo is Associate Professor of Practical Theology and Dean of the Chapel at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida.

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2018 Leadership Institute: The Reformation of Preaching

GA2018LI-ReformationPreaching In the 2018 Leadership Institute seminar The Reformation of Preaching, David Swanson reminded attendees that they all have been impacted at some point by the public proclamation of God’s Word.

“To understand that at some point we will be the preacher that someone else describes in a setting similar to this is both daunting and a responsibility that I don’t want,” he said. “But God is Word and when we speak His Word in the context of its truth and our diligent study, His Spirit flows through us. Therefore, I should have an expectation that God is going to work in the lives of those who hear His Word.”

Swanson is Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Orlando, Florida.

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2018 Leadership Institute: The Gospel in Dark Places: Ministry to Exploited and Trafficked Women

GA2018LI-ExploitedTrafficked In the 2018 Leadership Institute seminar The Gospel in Dark Places: Ministry to Exploited and Trafficked Women, Bonnie Gatchell offered some practical ways to minister to women involved in human trafficking.

“There are silent victims all around us who need to see what it is to have heathier marriages than what they may have known, to demonstrate healthier ways of conflict resolution, and to have healthier relationships with our employees and employers.”

She also encouraged pastors to preach sermons about biblical women.

“We can preach countless women in the Bible,” she said. “If I’m a female but only hear about Moses, Joseph, David, and Paul but never hear about Deborah, Esther, Ruth, or Rahab, it tells me I’m a lesser gender and makes me a vulnerable person.”

Trafficking survivor Tricia Grant shared her story with the session attendees, noting that “the people who trafficked me are still advertising for exotic dancers.”

Gatchell is an ordained Teaching Elder and the Founder and Director of Route One Ministry, a Boston-based program that reaches women exploited by entering strip clubs. Grant is a survivor of sex trafficking who now educates youth and adults in large group and one-on-one settings.

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2018 Leadership Institute: Building Blocks of a Missional Church

In the 2018 Leadership Institute seminar Building Blocks of a Missional Church, Randy H described the value telling stories as a method of mentoring.

“In the Bible, mentoring is throughout the narrative, but it’s a bunch of stories like spaghetti on the wall. It’s all over the place” he said. “So there’s not necessarily a formula, it can be messy, and it’s not about me telling my story. It’s a door to building relationships.”

He added that he often tells Muslim that he works with that he’s been married for 26 years, “and I ask them to ask me how I’ve done it. When they do, it lets me tell them of God’s commands regarding marriage.”

He followed the example with five key questions that can be asked to help pull listeners into a spiritual story:

What was interesting to you in this story?
This is God’s great story; He is the main actor. So what did you learn about Him?
What so we learn about humans? How do we respond or not respond to God?
What is our response to God?
Who might we tell this to?

Randy H is a global worker serving through EPC World Outreach and serves in a location that is undisclosed for security reasons.

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2018 Leadership Institute: The Beauty of Reformed Worship

GA2018LI-ReformedWorship In the 2018 Leadership Institute seminar The Beauty of Reformed Worship, Speaker Zach Hopkins explained the biblical basis of worship as our response to God’s covenant with mankind.

“Christian worship is covenental worship,” Hopkins said. “We are gathered together because of God’s gracious condescension toward us. We would have no knowledge of God—and no participation with Him in any way—apart from his willing condescension toward us. That’s ‘covenant.’”

Hopkins serves as Pastor of Edgington Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Taylor Ridge, Ill.

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Updated mobile app, Commissioner’s Handbook, committee reports available for 38th General Assembly

GA2018App The 38^th General Assembly Commissioner’s Handbook and reports from the EPC’s permanent and interim committees to the Assembly are available for download in pdf format at www.epc.org/ga2018documents. The Assembly is at Hope Church in suburban Memphis, Tenn., June 19-22. The Handbook is available in its entirety as well by individual sections.

The GA mobile app has been updated with information and content for the 38^th General Assembly and is available for Apple iOS and Android operating systems.

The app includes a wide variety of information, including area maps, daily schedules, exhibitors, GA-related documents including daily dockets, committee reports, standing committee information, and more. The app offers one-touch access to EPConnection (the EPC’s news and information service) and the denomination’s Facebook and Twitter feeds. Users also can view live streams of Assembly business sessions and worship services, and send prayer requests to the Hope Church prayer team.

Previous users of the iOS version will need to update the app on their mobile device for the most current content. New users can click here to download the GA app for iOS, click here to download for Android, or search for “EPC GA” in the iPhone App Store or Google Play.

The app was produced by AppsforMinistry.com and the EPC Communications Department.

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38th GA World Outreach activities celebrate God’s work in the world

GA2018Banner More than 50 EPC World Outreach global workers and staff are registered to attend the 38th General Assembly, June 19-22 at Hope Church in suburban Memphis, Tenn. Don’t miss the opportunity to get to know the ministries of World Outreach and its global workers! World Outreach activities and meetings include, but are not limited to:

Tuesday Leadership Institute: Building Blocks of a Missional Church
This seminar is geared to ignite your church to missional living and also help build a missional DNA within your congregation. God’s heart is for the nations, and we are all given the opportunity to participate in this work using our many different talents.

Tuesday Evening World Outreach Banquet
This year’s World Outreach banquet will honor Greg and Sally Livingstone, who helped start Operation Mobilization in the 1960s, directed the U.S. office of North Africa Mission in the 1970s, founded Frontiers in the 1980s, and now serve as EPC World Outreach Senior Advisors. The guest speaker is Bob Blincoe, President of Frontiers USA. Also featured will be “stories from the mission field” presented by World Outreach global workers serving overseas.

Wednesday Networking Lunch: Where in the World are You Going?
Need ideas for short-term mission projects for your church? Join us to discover what other EPC churches are doing, exchange information and ideas, and create an opportunity for new partnerships to begin. If you have a short-term opportunity to share, contact Shawn Stewart at shawn.s@epcwo.org.

Wednesday Dinner: Global Worker Presentations
For those who purchased tickets for Wednesday dinner, come hear World Outreach global workers describe how God is using and blessing their work among people groups who have little or no access to the gospel.

Thursday Dinner: Global Worker Meet-and-Greet
Join us for dinner and meet your World Outreach global workers, including our newest appointees who will be presented to the Assembly in the worship service following dinner.

Thursday Evening Worship with Global Worker Commissioning
The featured speaker for the Thursday evening worship service is Ligon Duncan, Chancellor and CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary. In addition, new World Outreach global workers will be commissioned. Please note that due to potential security concerns, the commissioning portion of this service will not be live streamed.

World Outreach exhibits
Many of our global workers will have displays about their ministries at the World Outreach exhibit area in the Main Lobby at Hope Church. Stop by any time between Tuesday and Friday afternoon and get acquainted!

For additional World Outreach events at this year’s General Assembly, including more Networking Lunches on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, see www.epc.org/ ga2018worldoutreachevents. If you have questions about any of these activities, contact Cassie Shultz at cassie.s@epcwo.org or 407-930-4313.

For details about the 38th General Assembly, including daily schedules, Assembly documents, and more, see www.epc.org/ga2018.

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#epc2018ga the official General Assembly hashtag

GA2018Banner Add your voice to the proceedings of the 38^th General Assembly by including the hashtag #epc2018ga on your social media posts. Connect your message with others on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media platforms.

If you are not attending the Assembly, you can search for #epc2018ga on your favorite social media platform and keep up with what everyone is saying.

Let’s start talking!

#epc2018ga

General Assembly exhibitors provide wealth of ministry resources

GA2018Banner A wide variety of ministries and organizations will host exhibit booths at the EPC’s 38^th General Assembly, June 19-22 at Hope Church in suburban Memphis, Tenn.

“Our exhibitors provide opportunity for our commissioners and guests to connect with an assortment of like-minded ministries,” said Jerry Iamurri, Assistant Stated Clerk. “Many of these are official EPC partners, and we are pleased to provide this avenue of contact for our churches and ministry partners.”

Exhibitors scheduled to appear are:

Coalition for Christian Outreach, ccojubiliee.org
Covenant Theological Seminary, covenantseminary.edu
EduNations, edunations.org
EPC Benefit Resources, Inc., epc.org/benefits
EPC Foundation, epc.org/epcfoundation
EPC Women’s Resource Council, epc.org/thewell
EPC World Outreach, epcwo.org
Erskine Theological Seminary, seminary.erskine.edu
Frontier Fellowship, frontierfellowship.com
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, gcts.edu
Great Commission Publications, gcp.org
Lay Renewal Ministries, layrenewal.com
Literacy and Evangelism International, literacyevangelism.org
Medical Benevolence Foundation, mbfoundation.org
Pastor-In-Residence Ministries, pirministries.org
PastorServe, pastorserve.net
Pray for Me Campaign, prayformecampaign.com
Presbyterian Protecting Life, www.facebook.com/PPL.Page
Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, rpts.edu
Reformed Theological Seminary, rts.edu
San Pablo Community Church, www.sanpablochurch.org
Serge, serge.org
Sterling College, sterling.edu
The Reconnect with Carmen LaBerge, www.reconnectwithcarmen.com
Third Millennium Ministries, www.thirdmill.org
Trail Life USA, www.traillifeusa.com
World Reformed Fellowship, www.wrfnet.org

For more information about these organizations, see www.epc.org/ga2018exhibitors. For details about the 38th General Assembly, including online registration, daily schedules, and more, see www.epc.org/ga2018.

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38th General Assembly final preparations underway

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GA2018Prep In an annual tradition for the EPC staff, it’s “all hands on deck” assembling registration packets for the General Assembly. From left, Marti Brenner, Samantha Arcara, Joan Smith, Cassie Shultz, Sandi Iamurri, Becky VanValkenburg, Rebeca Santana, Catherine Rutter, and Kristi Jeffcoat ensure that each Commissioner’s lanyard receives the proper credentials, meal tickets, and more.

The 38^th General Assembly will be held June 19-22 at Hope Church in suburban Memphis, Tenn.

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GA Networking Lunches offer learning, connecting opportunities

Networking Lunches at the EPC 38^th General Assembly provide opportunity for connecting with others with similar ministry interests on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, June 20-22, from 12:00-1:30 p.m. at Hope Church in Cordova, Tenn. For more information, see www.epc.org/ga2018networkinglunches.

Wednesday, June 20

Connecting for God for Life (hosted by the EPC Women’s Resource Council)
Creating Pathways for Church Planting (hosted by the EPC Church Planting Team)
Equip your Congregation to be Champions of Human Life (hosted by Presbyterians Protecting Life)
Freed by the Truth: Owning and Healing our Racial History (hosted by Clayborn Reborn)
Haiti, MBF, and WPC: A Partnership Success Story (hosted by the Medical Benevolence Foundation)
How Your Church Can Reach College Students (hosted by CCO)
LGBTQ: Caring for the People Behind the Letters (hosted by OneByOne)
Pastoral Letter on Human Sexuality Question-and-Answer (hosted by the EPC Interim Committee on Pastoral Letter on Human Sexuality Issues)
Westminster Society: The Lord’s Supper (hosted by the Westminster Society)
What Your PNC Should Know Before Starting a Pastor Search (hosted by the Vanderbloemen Search Group)
Where in the World Are You Going? Missions in the EPC (hosted by EPC World Outreach)

Thursday, June 21

Advice for Clerks of Session (hosted by the Presbytery of the Pacific Northwest)
Creating or Continuing a Disability Ministry (hosted by the Presbytery of the Mid-Atlantic)
Engage 2025 Presbytery Home Teams (hosted by EPC World Outreach)
EPC Benefits and Retirement Plan (hosted by EPC Benefit Resources, Inc.)
Generosity and the New Tax Law (hosted by the EPC Foundation)
God is Using Business Professionals (hosted by EPC World Outreach)
How to Build a Contagious Church Staff Culture (hosted by the Vanderbloemen Search Group)
Medical and Dental Mission (hosted by EPC World Outreach)
Millennials in Ministry (hosted by Hope Church, Cordova, Tenn.)
Ministry Spouses: Opportunities and Challenges (hosted by the EPC Women’s Resource Council)
Westminster Society: Jonathan Edwards (hosted by the Westminster Society)
Women Teaching Elders and Candidates (hosted by the EPC Women’s Resource Council)

Friday, June 22

Bringing Salt and Light to Our Public Schools (hosted by Hope Church, Cordova, Tenn.)
EPC Benefits and Retirement Plan (hosted by EPC Benefit Resources, Inc.)
EPC Sierra Leone Update (hosted by EduNations)
EPC’ers Loving Muslims (hosted by EPC World Outreach)
Every Pastor Needs a Mentor (hosted by PastorServe)
Fundamental Elements of a Vital Church (hosted by the EPC GO Center)
How Can My Church Re-Engage Millennials? (hosted by the EPC GO Center)
International Theological Education Network (hosted by EPC World Outreach)
Navigating the Risks of Ministry Life (hosted by Pastor-In-Residence Ministries)
Starting a Special Needs Ministry (hosted by Hope Church, Cordova, Tenn.)
Westminster Society: The First Sermon Series (hosted by the Westminster Society)
Who Will Lead After You? A Guide to Effective Succession Planning (hosted by the Vanderbloemen Search Group)

For more information about the 38th General Assembly, including online registration, daily schedules, and more, see www.epc.org/ga2018.

General Assembly registration deadline May 31

If you have not yet registered for the 38^th General Assembly, June 19-22 at Hope Church in suburban Memphis, Tenn., don’t delay—registration fees double on June 1. Click here to register now.

Why the increase in fees? Think of it as our encouragement to “live considerately with one another.” In the past, too many attendees registered after June 1—which caused unnecessary uncertainty for the host church planning team. Raising registration fees in June has helped our local planning teams tremendously, and in recent years less than 10 percent registered after June 1. Thank you for registering before the deadline!

In other GA-related news, we are in the process of final editing of the Committee Reports and Commissioner’s Handbook. These and other Assembly documents will be posted at www.epc.org/ga2018documents when they are available.

If you are a Ruling Elder planning to attend, be sure 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. For you to vote at the Assembly, we need certification that your Session has elected you as a Commissioner. Also, be sure you are registered. You can start the online registration process at www.epc.org/ga2018.

Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you in Memphis!

In MSNBC interview, Senators Lankford, Shaheen discuss imprisonment of Andrew Brunson

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In an interview on MCNBC’s “Morning Joe” program on May 24, Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) continued their call for punitive action against Turkey due to Andrew Brunson’s prolonged imprisonment. The EPC Teaching Elder has been held since October 2016 on charges of espionage and terrorism.

“He is basically being held hostage by (Turkish) President Erdoğan,” Shaheen said, “and this is a blatant attempt to blackmail the United States and we are not going to stand for it.”

Lankford and Shaheen are pursuing targeted sanctions against Turkish officials, and are working with Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) on a bill to prevent the transfer of American fighter aircraft and technology to Turkey until the relationship between the two countries improves. In the 10-minute interview, they also discussed the future of U.S.-Turkey relations and Erdoğan’s oppressive tendencies.

Click here to watch the full interview.

GA Women’s Resources activities feature discipleship, connection opportunities

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Speakers for the Women’s Resource Council gatherings include (from left), Sharon Beekmann, Mary Brown, Lana Roberts, Jacqueline Smith, Brent Stenberg, Leila Todd, and Karen Walls.

The EPC Women’s Resource Council is hosting a variety of gatherings at the 38th General Assembly, June 19-22 at Hope Church in Cordova, Tenn.

“Connecting with the Marginalized” is the theme for the annual “TESS Talks” dinner on Wednesday, June 20. Speakers are Sharon Beekmann, Women’s Resource Council Chair; Jacqueline Smith, wife of Hope Church Senior Pastor Rufus Smith; and Karen Walls, Director of Hope Church’s Special Needs Ministry. Beekmann will discuss sexual abuse and harassment; Smith will examine Impacting Public Schools for Christ; and Walls’ topic is “Welcoming and Including People with Disabilities into the Family of God.” Each speaker’s 10-minute presentation will be followed by a 20-minute round-table discussion.

Modeled after the popular “Ted Talks,” TESS (Teaching, Encouragement, and Spiritual Sustenance) Talks offer practical discussions on topics of interest for women across the EPC.

“TESS Talks provide sisters in Christ the opportunity to consider and discuss topics that are relevant to churches today,” Beekmann said. “Plus, we have fun!”

Networking Lunches offer opportunities for fellowship and enrichment around a variety of relevant topics.

In “Connecting with God for Life” on Wednesday, Sharon Henderson will discuss growing in Christ as well as in spiritual disciplines. She is the wife of David Henderson, Pastor of Covenant EPC in West Lafayette, Ind.

On Thursday, Lana Roberts will host the annual lunch gathering for women Teaching Elders and candidates to connect, encourage, and pray for one another. Roberts has served on the pastoral staff of First Presbyterian Church in Fresno, Calif., for more than 10 years and is a member of the EPC Women’s Resource Council.

Also on Thursday, Brent Stenberg and Leila Todd of the Christian Psychological Center in Memphis will host a Networking Lunch for ministry spouses. In their topic, “Opportunities and Challenges,” Stenberg and Todd will focus on the unique challenges ministry spouses face, and on building resilience in order to thrive in the midst of the God-given opportunities and stressors of ministry life. All ministry spouses—male or female—are invited to attend.

On Thursday evening, the Women’s Ministry Dinner will feature Mary Brown as she discusses “Disciple Making: One Woman at a Time.” She will explore Jesus’ method of making disciples, including practical steps in disciple-making that beginners and mature Christians alike can use. Brown leads the Soul Healing Ministry, Women’s Ministry, support groups, and discipleship groups for Colonial Presbyterian Church in Kansas City and is a member of the EPC Women’s Resource Council.

“Mary’s passion for making disciples is contagious,” Beekmann said. “She will inspire us to proclaim the gospel and bring people into the body of Christ.”

For more information about the 38^th General Assembly, including registration, daily schedules, and more, see www.epc.org/ga2018. For details about the ministries of the EPC Women’s Resource Council, see www.epc.org.org/thewell including an informational video featuring Mary Brown offering helpful tips and encouragement on mentoring new disciples of Christ.

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World Outreach dinner to feature Bob Blincoe, honor Greg and Sally Livingstone

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Bob Blincoe

Bob Blincoe, President of Frontiers USA, is the guest speaker for this year’s World Outreach banquet in conjunction with the 38^th General Assembly. The dinner and program will be held on Tuesday, June 19, at Hope Church in Cordova, Tenn.

In addition, Greg and Sally Livingstone will be honored for their lifetime sharing the love of Christ with and in the Muslim world. The Livingstones helped start Operation Mobilization in the 1960s, directed the U.S. office of North Africa Mission in the 1970s, founded Frontiers in the 1980s, and now serve as EPC World Outreach Senior Advisors. Greg is the author of several books, including You’ve Got Libya: A Life Serving the Muslim World and The Muslim World: A Presbyterian Mandate.

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Greg and Sally Livingstone

Phil Linton, Director of World Outreach, said GA attendees “won’t want to miss hearing John Piper, George Verwer, and Bob Blincoe tell the story of how God has used an EPC couple to change the missional course of the global Church.” Piper and Verwer will appear via pre-recorded video.

The banquet also will feature reports from several EPC global workers, who will tell stories of how God is working among the various people groups they serve.

For more information about the 38^th General Assembly, including registration, daily schedules, other World Outreach activities, and more, see www.epc.org/ga2018. For details about the World Outreach Dinner, contact Cassie Shultz, World Outreach Assistant, at cassie.s@epcwo.org or 407-930-4313.

May Jeremiah Journal announces special guest to 38th General Assembly, reviews business items

In the May edition of The Jeremiah Journal, EPC Stated Clerk Jeff Jeremiah announces a special guest for the 2018 General Assembly, and reviews some business items scheduled to be taken up by Commissioners to the Assembly.

The Jeremiah Journal is a monthly video blog hosted on the EPC’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/EPChurch80. Each month’s update also is posted to EPConnection and the EPC’s Facebook page and Twitter feed.

For a transcript of this month’s edition in printable pdf format, click here.