Winter 2018
INDEPENDENT Presbyterian Church
WINDOWS
Jesus: Savior of the Nations In this issue: SPRINGS OF WATER | RISE UP, MY SOUL | UK CHURCH PLANTING
A New People. A New Memphis.
My dear Friends: As you peruse this issue of Windows, I hope you’ll notice how the issue’s theme works its way out. After all, this is Christmas time, the season in which we meditate upon Jesus’ advent. Why did Jesus come? Yes, to save us from our sins—that is the right answer. Yet that is not the full answer— because Jesus came to save us and so many others. What we hear in the Windows is a publication of Independent Presbyterian Church. Go to ipcmemphis.org to view online.
Servant Songs of Isaiah (Isaiah 42, 49, 50, 53) is God declaring over and again that Jesus was to be the Savior of the nations. And so, how is Jesus the Savior of the nations today? Jesus goes to the nations through us taking the Gospel across the street and around the
In this issue:
2 JESUS: SAVIOR OF THE NATIONS
world. Thus, we’ll learn more about our church’s vital role in supporting church planting in the United Kingdom, a land where now only around 2% of the population would claim to be Gospel-believing Christians. We also unpack our involvement with Tanzania through Rev. Mike Malone. As we have come alongside Mike’s ministry, we have been involved in church
4 SPRINGS OF WATER WELLING UP TO ETERNAL LIFE 7 RISE UP, MY SOUL AND LET US GO HEAR THE WORLD PREMIERE
planting and well building, Word and deed ministry that extends the Gospel throughout that land. The Gospel not only goes to the nations around the world, it also goes across the street here in Memphis. As you know, this season is a wonderful time to invite neighbors to come to IPC with you. I would ask you to pray about one or two friends that you might invite to a Sunday morning service. As we consider the theme of “Christmas in Exodus,” we will hear about a
8 REPLANTING THE GOSPEL IN GREAT BRITAIN
true Mediator and a new Exodus that changes everything for us. Likewise, take advantage of the various Sunday evening opportunities—Lessons and Carols, our new Christmas Carol Sing, and our Messiah Sing-along. These are all ways that we together are declaring the good news to the
ON THE COVER: Manner of Abraham Bloemaert - Announcement to the Shepherds, c1600
nations: Jesus is the Savior of the world! Thanks be to God!
In the grip of God’s grace,
Rev. Sean Michael Lucas, PhD Senior Pastor Independent Presbyterian Church
4738 Walnut Grove Road Memphis, Tennessee 38117 901-685-8206 | ipcmemphis.org
Martin C. Shea
Music of Christmas The First Christmas
6:00 p.m. | Wednesday, November 28 Pre-Elementary Choirs Program | Fellowship Hall
30th Annual Christmas Service
of Lessons & Carols Sunday, December 2
6:00 p.m. | Adult Choir, Children’s Choirs, and Junior & Senior High Choirs with members of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra
Peace on Earth
6:30 p.m. | Wednesday, December 5 Graded Choirs Program, Grades 1-12 | Sanctuary
Family Christmas Carol Sing
6:00 p.m. | Sunday, December 9 | Sanctuary
Messiah Sing-Along
6:00 p.m. | Sunday, December 16 | Sanctuary
Christmas Food Baskets Setup Friday, Dec. 14, 2:00 p.m. Assembly & Delivery Saturday, Dec. 15, 9:00 a.m. $50.00 for each basket
Purchase baskets and sign up to help in the IPC Rotunda.
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W
Jesus: Savior of the Nations Sean Michael Lucas
hen the angels sang on that first Christmas
Abraham, God had promised that “in you all the families
night, do you remember what they said? “I
of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen 12:3). From Abraham to
bring you good news of great joy that will be
Isaac to Jacob, that same promise was made—the nations
for all the people” (Luke 2:10). All the people—all kinds of
would know blessing through someone who would come
people drawn from all sorts of places. This good news of
through Abraham’s family.
great joy is for the nations.
Jan Pietersz Saenredam, after Abraham Bloemaert, Annunciation to the Shepherds, 1599
But such was always God’s purpose. Starting with
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How would that be so? This person would be a mediator and prophet like Moses, a priest like Aaron, a
judge like Samuel, a king like David; he would be wise like
for the nations? Through his death—he will be pierced for
Solomon, trusting like Hezekiah, zealous like Elijah; he would
transgressions, crushed for iniquities, wounded to heal; and
be Savior and Lord, prince and shepherd—all in one person.
through his blood, “so shall he sprinkle many nations”
And yet, unlike Moses, Aaron, Samuel, David, Solomon,
(Isa 52:14). In doing this, he is not only bearing the sins of
Elijah, Hezekiah, and all the other leaders from the Old
Jews, but Gentiles; not only the righteous, but the unrigh-
Testament, he would be without sin; he would be Christ the
teousness; not only those near, but those far off.
Lord; he would bring salvation, glory, and joy. That especially was what Isaiah had promised. Starting in Isaiah 40, his message turned to look forward to the coming Branch, the Davidic King who would establish his way, his word, his worship perfectly. That’s why Zion was entreated to “lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, ‘Behold your God!’” (Isa 40:9). Isaiah’s message was
Fast forward seven hundred years from Isaiah’s time. The light is shining in the darkness; the shepherds are
The light is shining in the darkness; the shepherds are quaking; the angels are singing—about what? This good news, this gospel. For surely it is good news: that God himself has come in his Servant, Jesus the Messiah; that this servant is the Lord; that peace and joy and glory would be the result of all that the Messiah does. And all this not for Jews alone, but for “all the people.”
good news because God himself was coming to his people. But it was good news not just for Israel, for Jerusalem.
quaking; the angels are singing—about what? This good news, this gospel. For surely it is good news: that God himself has come in his Servant, Jesus the Messiah; that this servant is the Lord; that peace and joy and glory would be the result of all that the Messiah does. And all this not for
Jews alone, but for “all the people.” And that means you. This song, this news, this great
This was good news for the nations as well: “I will give you
joy—it is all for you. I wonder if you’ve thought about that
as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to
recently. As we get lost in the busy portion of this season—
open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from
Christmas parties and presents, family and friends, trips and
the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness”
talks—have you stopped to think that the angels were singing
(Isa 42:6-7). Those who are blind, those who are in captivity,
for you, to tell you that your God has come in Jesus Christ
this Servant of the Lord will rescue, not only from Israel, but
to rescue you from your sin, to shine the light into your
from the nations.
darkness, to invite you into relationship with him, to receive
As this promised king comes, God tells him that it was too light a thing for him to rule over Israel alone. “I will make you as a light for the nations,” God tells the Servant, “that
the gift that will give all that you need for this life and the next? The entire story of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation,
my salvation may reach to the end of the earth” (Isa 49:6).
tells us about Christmas, tells us about the promised prince,
Through the coming king, God’s Servant, “the Lord has
chosen before the foundation of the world, who would come
bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all
to rescue his people and set them free. And that story, that
the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God”
good news, can and will change your life if you believe it
(Isa 52:10).
and entrust yourself to it. I wonder if you have, if you will? I
How will he do this? How will the promised Messiah, God’s Servant, rescue the nations? How will he be a light
wonder if you will hear the angels singing for you this year, singing about Jesus, Savior of the nations?
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Springs of Water Welling up to Eternal Life
Photography by Craig Thompson
By Annie Howard
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ater links us physically, continent to continent, but in Musoma, Tanzania, it's joined two countries in spirit. Fifteen years ago, in a moment that would lead to a friendship, a ministry, and safe water for thousands, Rev. Mike Malone spotted a new face in the crowd. “A young Tanzanian came to Reformed Theological Seminary to study and ended up coming to our church,” he remembered. That young man, Elisha, was the son of Bishop Peter Kitula, leader of the Mara-Ukerewe Diocese of the Africa Inland Church. As Elisha and Malone became close, their friendship opened a door; Bishop Kitula invited Malone to the city of Musoma, Tanzania, to teach the pastors of his diocese. But the needs Malone encountered in the Musoma area were more than spiritual. “The first year I went, I visited several villages,” said Malone. “The very first village, which was typical of all the villages we visited, struggled with securing water.” Lack of water is a little like a stone thrown in a pond; one simple need creates a wave of repercussions. Those living in the Mara region must walk miles to the nearest water source, often drawing water for
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cooking, cleaning, and drinking from dirty ponds shared with livestock. The trip has an especially profound effect on families. “Gathering water is seen as a domestic chore,” Malone explained. “Women may get up at two o’clock in the morning to walk as much as five or six hours round trip to the water source and back.” Sometimes, that walk has to be made twice in one day. The trip means danger for women, both at home and on the road. Tanzania is a heavily patriarchal society, and within the family, time away can spark domestic violence. Men, having never made the journey, sometimes become suspicious and “don’t believe it should take that long,” Malone said. “They think their wives are having dalliances along the way.” Fatal threats also lurk en route. One village used Lake Victoria as its water source prior to a well installation; multiple women, wading into the lake’s
reedy water, were killed by crocodiles. Children, too, are affected, missing school to help their mothers. The fivegallon water buckets, once filled, weigh up to 40 pounds; more hands mean more buckets, as well as a safer walk. “One village we went to, this woman said she would have to get up at three o’clock and wake her kids to take her kids with her,” said Matt Buyer, who has traveled to Tanzania twice with Malone. “It’s not safe for a woman to be out that time of the morning, but typically the men wouldn’t bother her with the children.” Even after arriving home, sticks must be gathered, fire kindled, and water boiled for safe consumption. Still, waterborne diseases such as dysentery and cholera are a reality. Malone couldn’t get the situation off his mind. “That just became a burden to me,” he said. “Believing that the gospel of the kingdom is first a gospel word, but then a gospel word accompanied by deed. That was the ministry of Jesus—preaching the gospel
as you’re meeting real human need. I just began to think, ‘If we could put water wells in these villages, you’re obviously addressing a human need.’” And so Malone got to work. Since 2008, Malone has partnered with the community development department of the diocese, as well as Independent Presbyterian Church and McLean Presbyterian Church in Virginia, to install over 80 water wells in 80 villages. Between 15 and 20 more are in the pipeline. Since his arrival at Independent four years ago, the ministry has “stirred the imagination of many of our folks,” said Dr. Sean Lucas, IPC’s senior pastor; roughly 80 percent of the total water project funding has come from IPC. “The numbers begin to be pretty staggering,” said Malone. “A typical village is 3,500 or 4,000 people, so as we near a hundred water wells, you’re talking about easily 400,000 people who have access to safe, clean water for the first time in their lives.” That simple difference has incredible healing power. Wells are drilled close to the village they serve, creating a far shorter, safer trip for women. Children can go to school. Clean water reduces waterborne disease. Fundamental health and hygiene are improved with extra sleep in the morning and baths. “One older gentleman said, ‘I’d have to walk four miles to the lake to take a bath,
and by the time I got back to my village I was dirty again. I can be clean,’” Malone recalled. The wells offer a chance to cleanse not only the body, but the soul. Each well has been installed in a village which is home to either an established church or a plant. “The people are able to associate the mercy of the water with God’s mercy,” said Alicia Bartusch, who traveled to Musoma on an IPC mission trip in February. “People have come to faith in Christ because they see the church meeting a need in their community.” With each well project, IPC, McLean Presbyterian, and the Mara Diocese have come together to show God’s love to Musoma; that shared witness has inspired church growth in leaps and bounds. One village has nicknamed its well “the Evangelist.” Since the well’s installation, the local church’s headcount has grown from 300 to 450. IPC is continually developing its relationship with the diocese, and in February a new opportunity coalesced. Malone led six IPC members on a 14-day mission trip to the area, exploring multiple elements of Musoman life. The mission
team ministered via agricultural training, medical clinic volunteer work, and the first-ever Musoman Women’s Conference. “These women, their culture doesn’t value them very much; it’s a really patriarchal society,” said Carole Jones, who traveled over to assist with the conference. “We wanted them to know they do have value. God sees them as his precious children, even if their lives are difficult. On a day to day basis, if you’re beaten down or you’re not given any time for prayer and meditation and you’re always working just to make sure there’s food and water, what a revelation—God’s grace is for you as well!” Some 220 women, representing 10 churches, attended the four-day conference, walking from miles around to discuss Biblical topics in the morning and women’s health in the afternoon. “We were trying to minister to the whole person,” said Bartusch. “Let’s talk about your spiritual and your physical needs. The Lord loves all of you.” Morning lessons covered the Biblical model of marriage, as well as women of the Bible. With the help of a translator, Carole Jones, Alicia Bartusch, and Barbara Malone led a collective discussion; then the women
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Rev. Mike Malone with Tanzania team Carole Jones, Jim Wilder, Paula Wilder, Martin Fleming, Barb Malone, and Alicia Bartusch.
Rev. Malone visiting leaders of Bunda Bomani Church, nicknamed “the Evangelist” due to its dynamic growth.
Women took a break from their strenuous daily chores to enjoy study, prayer, and fellowship at a Bible Conference led by IPC women.
After this well-drilling operation hit water, an elderly villager called Rev. Malone “Moses.” Rev. Malone told her to give all the glory to God.
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broke apart into small groups. “The ‘cross-generational experience’ was beautiful to see,” Bartusch said. “Women of all ages gathered in a safe space, able to share their thoughts, struggles, and wisdom with one another. The older ones were caring for the younger ones, and the younger ones were coming up under these older ladies’ leadership, feeling comfortable sharing about their circumstances.” Despite the language barrier, Jones, Bartusch and Mrs. Malone felt a bond as well. “Each morning, a few of the younger women would come up front and sing,” said Mrs. Malone. “The singing started, and then the dancing started, and every day we would end up in a big circle dancing, praising the Lord and clapping hands.” “It was my first worship conga line,” Jones laughed. Those moments transcended borders. “There was genuine love and affection, even though we couldn’t really have a conversation. We were sisters in Christ,” Mrs. Malone said. In the afternoons, the focus flipped to health. Dr. Martin Fleming, a surgical oncologist, and Paula Wilder, a nurse practitioner, led talks about prenatal and postnatal care, as well as cancer, diabetes, and hypertension, all common maladies in Tanzania. As the conference progressed, other members of the mission team assisted elsewhere. Jim Wilder, a cotton ginner, toured the diocese’s test farm, which researches and educates local farmers on the best agricultural practices for their environment. “That may be an opportunity for the future,” he said. “That group’s doing a lot of innovative work, introducing cover crops, growing different types of grains.” Fleming and Mrs. Wilder worked mornings at the diocese’s health clinic. The city of Musoma houses a single hospital, where locals must pay for care. The diocese has established a no-cost clinic at its headquarters, which provides outpatient treatment and medicine. Over four mornings, Fleming and Mrs. Wilder assisted the clinic doctor, getting a feel for day-to-day needs. “We saw yellow fever, typhoid, a lot of communicable diseases they get from dirty water,” Mrs. Wilder said. In the afternoons, the two made their way to the women’s conference for health talks.
On the conference’s closing day, all women in attendance were given gifts purchased with donations from Rev. Malone’s Sunday school class: fabric for clothing, cleaning powder, bar soap, lip gloss, sheet sets, Swahili Bibles, and hymn books. The February mission trip was a new opportunity; another ministry, a time-honored tradition, is the pastor’s conference. The spark for the entire Musoma ministry, the pastor’s conference is held annually. Malone and Buyer attended and taught at the most recent one in August. Some 400 pastors and wives from the diocese convened from miles around for a week of teaching and fellowship. “It’s a spiritual retreat for these pastors,” Buyer said. “They live isolated lives; it’s an impoverished country, so this is a break and a celebration. They don’t have any requirements of them to prepare messages or evangelize.” The most recent conference was a special occasion, coinciding with the retirement of Bishop Peter Kitula after 25 years of service. “I’m a big believer in the idea that God, by his providence, brings us into relationships that guide our direction and trajectory in missions,” said Dr. Sean Lucas, IPC’s senior pastor. Bishop Kitula, as well as his wife Esther and son Elisha, have been the bedrock from which a ministry has grown. The diocese is “in the midst of a lot of change,” Malone said, but the outlook is bright. “This is a transition, but the new bishop who is coming to this diocese is very, very respected; he spent a good bit of his ministry career in Central Tanzania, planting churches among the unchurched. He has a heart for the lost and a desire to see the gospel spread.” As Independent and the Mara Diocese both step forward into the future, there can be no doubt that they have impacted each other profoundly. During the women’s conference, Bartusch played a special video: the 4th and 5th grade girls in her choir class, singing What a Friend We Have in Jesus in Swahili. “The ladies loved it; they sang the song back,” Bartusch said. “When I got home, I was able to let my girls listen to a recording of these women, singing back to them.” Though an ocean separates them, the spring of living water connects them.
T
Rise Up, My Soul And Let Us Go Hear The World Premiere
wenty-six years ago, James and Pam Brown took on IPC’s tradition. The spiritual, which Brown describes as “energetic” and music ministry. This year, the choir they’ve built will premiere “invigorating,” will be sung a cappella by a 100-member choir. the piece the church commissioned to honor their four “Rise Up, My Soul” unites creative minds two centuries apart. decades of full-time service in music ministry. Parker crafted the music, but George Moses Horton, the first African On December 2, at the annual Service of Lessons and Carols, American to publish a book in the South, penned the lyrics. Horton’s Independent’s choir will unveil a new work book of poetry, The Hope of Liberty, was by world-renowned composer-arranger published in 1829; one of its poems Alice Parker. provides the text for the song. Though “She’s the foremost composer of short, its words are powerful: the victory spirituals and American choral folk music and freedom of a soul rising to heaven. in the country, and probably in the world,” “There’s a movement in the PCA to said Jennifer Velázquez, IPC’s organist and appreciate the contribution of African associate director of worship and music American people to the church, and to be ministries. able to encourage fellowship,” Brown said. “Choirs all over the world have sung “This fits right into that—here we are, her music,” said James Brown, IPC’s director taking a poem written by the first published of worship and music ministries. “We African American poet, and setting that to To complement the Alice Parker commission, Dr. Sean Lucas and Jennifer Velázquez presented Pam and James Brown with a watercolor illustration of have an anticipation that when this piece music by one of the great masters of choral the George Horton poem, exquisitely rendered by IPC member David Butler. is published, it will be promoted not just composition and arranging.” nationally, but internationally.” Dr. Sean Lucas, IPC’s senior pastor, saw Horton’s poem in the Parker, now in her early nineties, remains a prominent voice on National Civil Rights Museum. Moved by the imagery, and with folk hymns and spirituals. Her work preserves a uniquely American style the Browns’ approaching 40-year ministry anniversary in mind, he of music; folk hymns and spirituals are grounded in the human voice, collaborated with Velázquez about setting the words to music. Alice drawing on the oral tradition of both Appalachian and African-American Parker’s commission was born. Christians. Often unaccompanied, they demand creativity in rhythm IPC’s adult and senior high choirs have practiced since spring to and harmony. bring the joyful music and triumphant words to life. Their performance Throughout her more than half-a-century career, Parker has will be a vivid picture of the Browns’ commitment to ministry and music composed and arranged pieces honoring that style. She also teaches as worship. and has instructed choral directors on creative hymn singing via “I remember when we first came to IPC and this program was in workshops throughout the country. its earliest beginnings,” Brown said. “This kind of an honor, when I think “Forty years I’ve known about her, done her music, and been in a about it, it has the tendency to give me chillbumps. You kind of have to number of her workshops,” Brown said. “She’s taught many choirs and pinch yourself to believe that Alice Parker would do something like this.” congregations how to sing [folk hymns and spirituals] authentically.” Join IPC’s choir on December 2 for the world premiere of “Rise Up, Her commissioned piece, “Rise Up, My Soul,” will follow that My Soul.” Commissioned by Independent Presbyterian Church, Memphis, TN, to the glory of God and in honor of Pam and James Brown for forty years of outstanding ministry in music.
Rise up, my soul
George Moses Horton
Firmly, with crisp rhythms q = 80
SOPRANO
ALTO
TENOR
mf
mf
Alice Parker
go
Up
Rise up, mf
my soul, and
Rise up,
my soul, and
let us
let us
go
Up
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Replant ng the Gospel in Great Britain By Annie Howard
Water a seed, and it will grow. That was the core of an idea Rev. Edward Norton had six years ago on an international conference call. “I was talking with a bunch of U.K. ministers, and they were saying, ‘We’ve got the guys for church plants, we don't think we have the money,’” Norton remembered. In the course of the AN INDIGENOUS AND REFORMED CHURCH conversation, he hit on a solution: pooling FACILITATING AmericanMOVEMENT churches’ PLANTING FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM resources to fund church planters in the United Kingdom. That thought soon took shape as the U.K. Partnership,EaR S H I P S U P P O R T E D C H URev. R C HEdPNorton and his PCA comrades on their way to the U.K. 2 0 1 8 A N N UA L M E E T I N G LO C AT I O N TN LAN PA R coalition of PCA churches which help TS UK RIVER CHURCH | 2400 Yamato Road | Boca Raton, Florida, USA planters. Hitchings, who grew up at IPC, has realize the visions of Reformed, British SCOTLAND Dundee – 1 church plant been– 3involved with the partnership since its Edinburgh church plants, churchPARTNERSHIP? planters. E UNITED KINGDOM 1 seminary Glasgow – 2 church plants formation. “Hearing their passions, what they ership is a camaraderie ofThe like-minded Presbyterian Church in UKP has no membership dues, ENGLAND Leeds – 1 church plant ) churches networking with United Kingdom nationals to facilitate want to do, and where they want to plant, you get Liverpool – 2 church plants no checkbook, and no overhead. “It and Reformed church planting movement in the UK. Since the London – 2 church plants, to decide to get behind a guy. That really piqued 1 church building fund to introduce and connect founding in 2013, exists fourteen only PCA congregations have provided nearly Longbridge – 1 church plant Manchester – 1 church plant, my interest. ” ollars for United Kingdom church plants affiliated with like-minded the Free PCA congregations with 1 internship Sutton – 1 church plant tland, the International Presbyterian Church, the Fellowship of “It’s York – pastors’ traininga little like speed dating,” laughed Rev. U.K. nationals, ” Norton said. Once Evangelical Churches, and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of IRELAND Dublin – 1 churchMeredith, plant David mission director of the Free Wales. In addition church to financialand support, the Partnership fosters planter have established a between PCA and UK churches, pastors, and congregations. The Church of Scotland denomination, and one of the relationship, the UKP steps aside. p meets annually, with meetings alternating between the USA pastors on that first conference call. The beauty of the partnership is The results have been undeniable. its emphasis on a personal, face-to-face “We had this unbelievable goal,” said LD ATTEND THE ANNUAL PRE-MEETING? connection; the UKP holds an annual ng is for pastors and laymen who want to experience fellowship Hitchings. “Let's try to see if we can put a million networking summit, giving planters a ement with our UK guests. Attendees will have an opportunity dollars directly into these plants over 10 years, share viewpoint their ideas tural issues from aplatform distinctivelyto Reformed duringwith many with no overhead on the American side. ” paper presentations on topics such as racial reconciliation and potential sponsors and the sponsor cipants can review the papers beginning June 1 at As of 2018, year five, UKP churches have churches an opportunity to meet a phis.org/ipcmemphis/uk-partnership-/. raised $1,007,150 for their plants—exceeding planter they’d like to back. that 10-year goal in half On odd years, the LD ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING? VISIT www.ipcmemphis.org/ipcmemphis/uk-partnership-/ for more details the time. eeting is for anyone interested in thetakes movement of Reformed get-together place about the United Kingdom Partnership and the 2018 Annual Meeting e British Isles, including church pastors, mission committees, The partnership now speakers, presenters, and schedules. over one week in the U.K. members, and private investors. American attendees will enjoy RESERVATIONS for the 2018 Annual Meeting can be made at includes 16 PCA churches PCA committee h UK church planters facemission to face, hear their aspirations, and learn ukpartnership2018.eventbrite.com across America, including rces can help our brothers fight the spiritual onslaught of Islam and members visit target QUESTIONS? Contact Rev. Ed Norton, Associate Minister, Independent planting healthy churches to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. IPC, which fund around Presbyterian Church, Memphis, Tennessee, (901) 685-8206, (901) 461-8206, sites such as London, enorton@ipcmemphis.org 20 church plants. Plants Birmingham, Manchester, LODGING INFORMATION: Contact Tameria Rackley, trackley@ipcmemphis.org ANY ENTRY FEES OR MEMBERSHIP DUES? are affiliated with several HOST CHURCH & CITY INFORMATION: Contact Linda Childs, ership does not have checkbook and there are no membership anda Edinburgh, meeting (561) 994-5000, lchilds@spanishriver.com o join. denominations: the with church planters Fellowship of Independent along the way. On even Evangelical Churches, the years, the summit takes International Presbyterian place at a U.S. church over Church, the Evangelical one high-speed weekend. Presbyterian Church “A personal in England and Wales, relationship starts to and the Free Church of develop,” said Rev. Scotland. Frank Hitchings, pastor The plant-sponsor of Lookout Mountain relationship provides not Presbyterian Church, only monetary support, which sponsors four
e United Kingdom Partnership:
Esk Valley Church, planted in 2016 under the leadership of St. Columba’s Free Church and Rev. Tom Muir, is now a thriving congregation. Both churches are in Edinburgh, Scotland.
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but also encouragement and friendship; the U.K. can be rocky soil for a church that’s trying to get started. In the last few decades, the country has seen a dramatic decline in Christianity, while the number of agnostics, atheists, and Muslims has grown by the millions. Rev. Kruger de Kock, a planter IPC sponsors, pastors Canada Water Church in London. His plant grew out of a Bible study group with London City Presbyterian, a Free Church of Scotland church, and now numbers roughly 125 members across 23 nationalities. Considering that during the last decade, hundreds of London churches have been converted into homes and secular properties, the growth of Canada Water is heartening. “Today, I had lunch with a bunch of local ministers, and they were from all kinds of traditions–Anglican, Independent, Baptist, Charismatic—but the Anglican guys, they have a congregation which is less than 30 people, and they're having a hard time attracting new people,” said de Kock. “Their church is a beautiful little building, it's been there 400 years, but it's essentially an unsustainable work. They’ll have to demolish, decommission, or repurpose it. Not a hundred yards from that, you'll see an Anglican building that's been turned into flats. The building that we had our lunch in, half the space is still a church, but the other half has become a doctor's surgery, just to make use of the space. The congregation fills perhaps a third of that church.” “It’s because of a loss of the gospel, if you ask me,” said de Kock. “The gospel is always relevant. The churches that grow are the ones that are open and clear and consistent with applying and defending the gospel. People will say to us, ‘You are being distinctly church-y, you're not trying to be something hip or cool.’ That's really enigmatic to a lot of people.” “Memphis is the Bible belt, whereas Scotland is probably 2.5 percent evangelical,” said Meredith, a long-time friend of IPC, who led Smithton Free Church in Inverness for 30 years before leaving in 2015 to be his denomination’s missions director. “The U.K. is post-Christian. So it’s not just the money—money’s a major thing, but it’s the prayer and the encouragement.” “We exist because IPC took an interest,” said de Kock. “In 2010, I went for a month and a half of training at Redeemer in New York. At the time, I had this great idea to plant the church, but without support, completely unimaginable. The church that planted us were barely 30 people and without resources to plant another church.” While at Redeemer, de Kock came across a name: Ed Norton. “I took a chance and flew down to see Ed. He listened, cared for me, and asked questions about the proposed project. Less than a year later, Ed came to visit us; he just showed up and said, ‘I want to see what you guys are doing.’ It felt like a friend showing up. He didn't have us filling out elaborate forms, it wasn't a massive assessment process; it was, ‘What do you need?’” “IPC started supporting us, for four or five years, without putting extra red tape on me–I'm the only staff person. It was one to one, Ed would pick up the phone and call me and say, 'How are you doing today?' And I'd say, ‘Man, I'm glad you're calling, I'm the only guy on the ground here and it's going pretty rough at the moment.’ We've had this relationship.” But the benefits run both ways; Hitchings paints the sponsor-plant relationship as a two-way street. “We have these conversations periodically; our planters might say, ‘We feel like we're stuck in this area, what can we do?’ A lot of
The United Kingdom Partnership seeks to revive Christianity in a land God used to spread the Gospel around the world; a place that gave us the Puritans, King James Bible, Westminster Assembly, and Presbyterianism; a country whose abandoned churches can once again flourish.
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times, it's stuff we have faced before; we’ve planted churches and shrunk in size and then grown back,” he said. “And then we, as Americans, learn what it's like to minister in a really post-Christian culture. They used to say we're 50 years behind the U.K., and I think we're more like 15 years behind them now, in terms of secularization.” The U.K. may not seem like a foreign mission field, but it’s become a vibrantly diverse culture. “The reason we’ve chosen the U.K. is because the 10/40 window has come to London,” Norton said. The 10/40 window refers to the longitude and latitude encompassing North Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. “You have 10/40 window immigration into London, into Birmingham, into Manchester, into other parts of the U.K.—people trying to give their children a better life,” Norton said. “If we can see the Word prosper in their lives, then maybe at some point they’ll travel back to their homeland. The goal would be to see Iranians as missionaries to their friends in Iran, converted Afghans to their friends in Afghanistan.” Rev. Ralph Cunnington, a church planter sponsored by Hitchings’ church, has encountered an enormous mission field since founding City Church Manchester in Manchester, England. The greater Manchester area contains 2.8 million people, with a church attendance rate of 4%. “That includes Catholic churches, Protestant, Liberal, anything,” Cunnington said. Though that may seem like a dismal statistic, City Church Manchester has seen enormous growth. At launch in 2014, the congregation numbered 27 adults and five children. Of the adults, 26 were British, one Iranian. “We're now 265 regular adults and 30 children,” Cunnington said. “We've grown from 2 nationalities to 36.” City Church Manchester has become a safe haven, opening its doors to people of all walks—even when the
City Church Manchester’s diverse membership represents 36 nationalities.
guests are unexpected. “A few months after opening, we were having food,” Cunnington said. “These four Nigerian children just wandered into the room. They were really hungry and just started eating the food, and then their mom peered round the door and called them out. We said, ‘No, no, no! It's fine, come on in—you eat too!’” The family had fallen on hard times; Ellen, the mother, was wandering the city that night, searching for a Nigerian church to look after them. “She stumbled across us,” Cunnington said. “She asked first in the reception if there was a Nigerian church there, and he said, ‘I don't know, but there's one meeting upstairs.’" Six months after that night, Ellen professed her faith at City Church Manchester. “A few months later, her mother, visiting from Nigeria, wanted to be baptized herself,” Cunnington said. One successful plant can become a catalyst for change— whether in a single heart, a family, or in the broader culture of a city. “Planting City Church has led other churches in the south
Founded in 2014, City Church Manchester gathers for worship on Sunday afternoons at Central Hall and offers several small group Bible studies that meet during the week. The church also has an active student outreach; Manchester has 100,000 students — mostly unchurched — studying at its many universities. 110
we're able to crystallize what that vision looks like.” City Church of Manchester to take risks,” said Cunnington. “In God's Manchester established a 10-year plan to plant two churches goodness, he's used City Church being planted to give other in the Greater Manchester area and facilitate the planting of people courage to take a risk for the Gospel, to maybe try their another eight churches by own plants.” 2027. The church has already As church plants grow, they generate grassroots change. established three plants, as well Rev. Tom Muir, a planter supported by IPC and affiliated as beginning a Church Planters with the Free Church of Scotland, began Esk Valley Church two Training Course years ago with a congregation of for planters in 20. Today, at roughly 60 members North England, from across Edinburgh, his church with nine is beginning to look outward. “We planters enrolled had to get to that point where we this year. were strong enough and had a Meredith’s foothold,” he said. “Now we can denomination, start saying, ‘Okay, what does it Rev. David Meredith, mission director of the the Free Church look like for us to do missions?’” Free Church of Scotland of Scotland, aims Though relatively small, Esk to plant thirty Valley Church is rich in everyday Well known and loved at IPC, Rev. David Meredith new churches by 2030. connections: members who volunteer throughout Edinburgh. opened the 2017 UKP meeting in Scotland. In a secular climate, One member works with Edinburgh Churches for Sanctuary, the UKP aims to create an which aids newly-settled refugees. Another helps at a men’s ever-widening beacon of hope and light. counseling organization, and yet another with a befriending “There are challenges,” Muir said, “And opportunities. There's program for the lonely. It’s a relational, boots on the ground a generation of people here who presume that churches are approach. relevant, but they don't know why. They don't know the gospel.” “The fact that we now have a small congregation means “The Great Commission takes us across the street and we’ve got a broader platform to become established in the around the world,” said Dr. Sean Lucas, IPC’s senior pastor. The community—to support community initiatives, help care for UKP enables far-away churches to reach their own streets, and people who are isolated and lonely,” Muir said. the hearts of those that live there. Cunnington’s church, too, is shifting into a new phase. Plant by plant, member by member, the word of God “We’ve always wanted to be a church planting resource for revives the land. our region,” he said. “With the help of the U.K. Partnership,
“Memphis is the Bible belt, whereas Scotland is probably 2.5 percent evangelical.”
New Pathway Weekend February 15-16 | Taught by Dr. Sean Lucas
STARTS JANUARY 17
Thursdays 6:30 -7:30 a.m.
Visitors interested in joining IPC are invited to attend our upcoming Pathway Class Weekend.
Taught by Dr. Sean Lucas ipcmemphis.org
All Ages | Fellowship Hall | Coffee Provided I N D E P E N D E N T
P R E S B Y T E R I A N
C H U R C H
For more information or to register, please contact Tameria Rackley, Trackley@ipcmemphis.org, or call (901) 685-8206. 11
IPC Missions Conference
UK Partnership PL AN TO JOIN US
February 20-24, 2019
How sweet and awesome is the place With Christ within the doors
: 2019 MISSION TRIP OPPORTUNITIES : Athens, Greece | January 18-27 Seven women will be helping girls rescued from sex slavery. They will teach vocational skills, study the Bible together, and mentor the young girls at House Damaris. Leader: Lexie Johnston; the trip is full. Bogota, Colombia | March 9-16 IPC members Avery and Marilyn Bridges served as full-time missionaries to Bogota, Colombia. Now back in the States, they’re taking a team of 12 to serve for a week alongside other missionaries. Activities include small maintenance construction projects, working with street children, and teaching conversational English to RUF students. Approximate cost: $1,800. Contact Avery, papabayou@gmail.com. 12
Musoma, Tanzania, Africa | Spring, TBA Rev. Mike Malone is planning another adventure in Tanzania that includes medical, pastoral study, and women’s Bible study components. Participants will have an opportunity to take a safari. Watch for more details in January. Approximate cost: $3,500. Contact Mike, mmalone@ipcmemphis.org. New York, New York | July 27- August 3 This trip, for families of 8th graders and up and their parents, is to run a vacation Bible school camp with missionaries there who help international families needing activities for their children while parents work. Nightly sightseeing. Trip limited to 16. Approximate cost: $1,200. Contact Don Kilgore, dkilgore@uhsweb.com.
Glasgow, Scotland | August 3-10, 2019 Head to Glasgow, Scotland, and work with our ministry partner Ivor MacDonald hosting a Holiday Club (their version of VBS) and conducting teen outreach in an area of town his church is trying to reach. This is the second year of a three-year commitment. Trip limited to 14. Approximate cost: $2,100. If interested, contact Emily Dafferner, edafferner@gmail.com. San Juan, Puerto Rico | TBA Watch for details forthcoming on another opportunity to serve with Hunger Corp in Puerto Rico, helping with construction work after two devastating hurricanes hit the region last year. Cost to be determined. Contact Jose Velázquez, jvelazquez@jamesleehouse.com.
Nassau, Bahamas | TBA Don Ray is planning to take another group of men to conduct a Christian leadership conference for local businessmen in the Nassau area. The seminar will aid a long-time ministry friend of IPC, Julian Russell, as he and his wife strive to plant a church in his home country. Cost to be determined. Contact Don, dray38138@gmail.com. Any member in good standing who desires to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ is invited to go on a mission trip through IPC. The Short Term Missions Committee will give partial financial help if a person is unable to pay the full fare to go on the trip. Please contact the leader if you are interested.
For more information, contact Sam Olson, mattsamolson@gmail.com or (901) 849-3695.
Save These Dates in 2019 Jan 8 Men’s Prayer Breakfast begins Jan 9 Wednesday Evening Teaching & Activities begin Jan 15 Women’s Bible Study begins Jan 17 In The Word Men’s Bible Study begins Jan 20 Sunday Evening Praise begins Jan 23 Wednesday Grace Groups begin Jan 26 IPC Scouts Pinewood Derby Jan 27 Souper Supper Feb 3 Troop & Pack 81 Scout Sunday Feb 15-16 Pathway Weekend for Prospective Members
Feb 15-17 Senior High Spring Retreat, Nashville Feb 20-24 Missions Conference Mar 21 WOC Dinner, Fellowship Hall Mar 22-23 WOC Spring Retreat, The Country Place, Moscow, TN Apr 8 IPC Scouts Blue and Gold Banquet Apr 14 Palm Sunday Music Program Apr 18 Maundy Thursday Communion Service, Sanctuary Apr 19 Good Friday Service, Sanctuary Apr 21 Easter Sunday Apr 24 Junior High Choir Commissioning Concert, Sanctuary
Apr 26-28 Junior High Choir Spring Trip, Panama City Beach, Florida Apr 30 WOC Spring Luncheon, Fellowship Hall May 1 Children’s Spring Program May 4 May 5 IPC Ballet Recital May 24-29 Camp Palmer May 30 – June 6 Senior High Choir Summer Tour, Northeastern States Jun 6 Senior High Choir Homecoming Concert, Sanctuary Jun 10-14 Vacation Bible School
Oh come all ye faithful for the best Christmas items!
Devotionals for Christmas and the New Year! Advent calendars are always a fun way for children to count down the days until Christmas. We have several styles, including this 14¾" x 20½" musical calendar that plays 24 different Christmas carols.
Start a meaningful tradition with one of our many family activity sets. With The Giving Manger, children get to put a piece of straw in the manger for each kind deed performed and then, on Christmas Day, place the baby Jesus in the manger filled with service and love.
Ellie Holcomb’s board book Who Sang the First Song is a lovely tale explaining that God our Maker sang the first song and He created us all with a song to sing. Rooted in Scripture, her new children’s CD Sing: Creation Songs is a perfect accompaniment to the book (sold separately).
BOOKSTORE HOURS: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | Wednesday 9:00 a.m.– 6:30 p.m. | Friday 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Closed Saturday | Sunday 9:30– 11:00 a.m. www.ipcmemphis.org/resources/ipc-bookstore | 901-763-3932 | covenant@ipcmemphis.org
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE
4738 Walnut Grove Road Memphis, Tennessee 38117 www.ipcmemphis.org
PAID
PERMIT NO. 422 MEMPHIS, TN
Dated Material — Please Expedite
Christmas at Independent Ways to Add Joy This Christmas!
November
28 The First Christmas
(Pre-elementary Choir Program)
28 Christmas Bingo 29 Women's Ministry
Decorate the Church
December
2 5 TBA
30th Annual Christmas Service of Lessons & Carols Peace on Earth (Graded Choir Program ) Women's Ministry
Christmas Caroling
9 Family Christmas Carol Sing 14 Food Baskets Set-Up 15 Food Baskets Assembly & Delivery 16 Messiah Sing-Along 24 Christmas Eve
Family Service 4:00, Fellowship Hall Communion Service 5:30, Sanctuary
& Lots Of Sunday School Parties
and Christmas Shopping at
Covenanters’ Corner Bookstore
The church offices will be closed December 24, 25, 26, 31 and January 1.