WITNESS: August 1, 2014

VOL. XIV, NO. 3

Park C ities Presbyterian C hurch

AUGUST 2014

(Presbyterian Church in America)

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

—1 Corinthians 15:57 Running the bases for His glory at VBS...............................................2

Feeding the bodies and souls Seminary growing and What would Jesus say about of the homeless...................................15 serving the community.................11 ______________?................................6

Middle schoolers having sizzling, super summer................ 4

Summer series traces our Care Cluster enjoys gathering Making a Kingdom impact worship heritage ...............................12 for picnic......................................................15 in Senegal....................................................8 Seniors enjoy brain training Families warm up for VBS at Looking back on missions as and fellowship .......................................13 Spring Training ....................................16 Curt Dobbs retires .............................9

Not our kids! Not on our watch! ..............................................................5

Young adults take love and Waiting to see the Lord's energy to urban school...............14 work in ESL .............................................10

N U R E M O H VBS

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hat does it mean to be a winner? It's not about being the fastest, smartest, most popular, or even the best behaved. It is sharing in Jesus’ victory on the cross and His resurrection. On June 9-12, the Ballpark at PCPC welcomed 539 all-stars to Vacation Bible School. Along with the children of New St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church and Providence Presbyterian Church, our children learned through a series of unique baseball metaphors that eternal life with Jesus is the only true victory.

The Home Run Derby centered on 1 Corinthians 15:57, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Bible stories helped illustrate God’s plan

to be victorious over sin and death. The week began in Psalm 96:3-4 “For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.” The children learned that God came first and deserves all of the glory. Day two revealed that we stole God’s glory and put Him second, so Jesus had to die on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. On day three, Peter and the fisherman taught us that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. Jesus not only forgave Peter for denying Him three times, but He gave Peter a very special job: “feed My sheep.” God has a unique job for each of us, despite our sinning nature! Day four brought us home.

We used Acts 1:1-11, describing ascension, to teach our children that we have hope in heaven with Jesus; even when bad things are happening, we know that we have the victory.

The VBS leadership team, comprised of incredible servants from each church, worked hard to incorporate the lessons into fun with a purpose. All week the children worked on one special craft, a baseball jersey that they decorated with their names and pin stripes or butterflies, having a wonderful time taking creative liberties with them! Our hope is that the shirt will continue to remind them that we put on Christ’s righteousness just like we put on our team jersey.

Baseball-themed games through the week reinforced the truths being taught. The children played wiffle ball, scooted through obstacles, enjoyed popsicles, practiced pitching, tossed bean bags, and played with hula hoops. On the last day, as an extra special treat, a few precious dads took turns climbing into a dunking booth, and the kids had a blast watching them get soaked!

In music and skit time, Barbie Ruth (Laurie Hargrave) and her Out of the Park band taught the children new songs and dances.

The students were also introduced to Lefty Vaughan (James Madden), an overly eager rookie who had just made it to his first Home Run Derby, and Big Joe (Will

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AUGUST 2014 • PCPC WITNESS

Reichert), a gifted but cocky veteran player who is quite comfortable in his celebrity status. Using well written skits and beautifully crafted videos, Lefty showed Big Joe that victory comes only through Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, and that only through His death and resurrection are we freely given the hope that rests in eternal life. Once Big Joe understood what God did for him, he took a knee in the dugout and humbly asked Jesus to save him.

Jenny Darley and her team wowed our all-stars as she introduced them to how various PCPC missionaries are serving in our world. Through a series of awesome Sports Desk interviews, both live and taped, our children heard about world missions, world missions at home, and serving exactly where God presently has you. They also heard an extra special message from Clayton Kershaw, who patiently explained that God gave him a great gift to be used for His glory. Kershaw told of his challenge (kershawschallenge. com) and encouraged the children to consider how God has gifted them and how they can use that giftedness to extend God’s Kingdom. Our all-stars had an opportunity to participate in missionary mailings, and they wrote encouraging notes on baseballs that our friends at West Dallas Little League will use during practice.

Preschool students enjoyed the same curriculum and crafts, but they was designed specifically to them. The Cummins family brought back Pappy and Elmer to delight the children in a Home Run Derby puppet show. Our youngest all-stars also got to participate in a special music class led by Lynda Fray.

By the grace of God, our week at the Home Run Derby was—well, a Home Run! We praise God for the children who attended and for the many gifted volunteers, whom He called to serve. Pray with us that our children fondly recall this special week and, above all, that they will remember that true victory comes only through our Lord Jesus Christ.

—Barrett Ball

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iddle school students are known for bringing the energy. They definitely didn’t disappoint as we kicked off summer with our week of non-stop fun. The fifth and sixth graders had a great time hanging out and serving during our first two days of Summer Sizzle. The next three days, Summer Night Live, were dedicated to our seventh and eighth graders. The week was a blast. The kids got to get out of the house, make friends, and grow closer together as a youth group.

Summer Sizzle started off with a cookout and swimming at the UP Pool. We grilled some burgers, did lots of cannonballs, and had a great time.

That night we met back up for a crowd favorite—Black Ops Night. Imagine about 75 fifth/sixth graders running around with camo and face paint trying to steal the other team’s flag and you pretty much know what went down at Black Ops! Obviously Day 1 was full of fun and had all of us “old people” worn out.

Day 2 kicked off with a service project at Voice of Hope. We loaded the vans and still needed some awesome moms to help drive the kids. We

spent the day helping the staff at Voice of Hope prepare for their summer day camp by washing their vans, cleaning the playground, organizing the library, and more.

The kids impressed us with their hearts to serve, and Voice of Hope

Black Ops night for fifth grade girls and Carley

was really thankful that we could help them tackle their to-do list.

We ended Summer Sizzle with my favorite event of the week—Oscar Night. This night was hilarious. We rented out the Inwood Theatre and invited all of the kids to join us for popcorn and a movie—dressed as their favorite movie characters! Some of their costumes were so thoughtful and creative. It was great to see their silly side! We literally rolled out a red carpet, posed in the photo booth,

o kick off the summer for the seventh and eighth graders, we followed Summer Sizzle with Summer Night Live, a three-day event. The first day we offered Meals on Wheels, a

Brett Stokes, Mike Haberkorn, Carley White, Kaelee Abbey at Oscar Night

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and watched Star Wars together. We concluded the night by handing out Oscar Awards to some of the best costumes of the night.

I am so thankful that we get to have events like Summer Sizzle and Summer Night Live. While these times are mostly just for fun, it allows us as leaders to engage with the kids and grow that confidence in our relationships. These silly events really open the door for Gospel conversations to happen, and that is such a cool thing to be a part of.

—Carley White ended at Wild about Harry’s for some ice cream. With 30 kids taking part, you could not miss our parade if you happened to be nearby that night.

The second day we took the kids to a Ranger game where we cheered and clapped as the Rangers beat the Orioles. On the third day we drove out to the drive-in theater for Disney’s "Maleficient," complete with popcorn, soda pop, and funnel cakes!

bike ride through Highland Park to various restaurants, picking up a part of dinner at each one.

Our progressive dinner started at Chips for some burgers and

We planned weekly events for the rest of the summer, so we always had something fun to do. Boredom is never fun for a kid. Activities included bubble soccer, Six Flags, whirlyball, pottery painting, more Ranger games, bowling, laser tag, Hurricane Harbor, and putt-putt. All middle schoolers were invited! Sorry you adults had to find somewhere else to play.

—Kaelee Abbey AUGUST 2014 • PCPC WITNESS

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On any given Sunday morning, laughter, giggles, and even bubbles fill the first-level halls and classrooms. Oak Lawn East is brimming with energetic youth gathered to worship, fellowship, and soak in the Word. Can you guess how many children and youth are enrolled in PCPC Sunday Morning Communities? If you answered 1,500-plus, you are about right! Yet this number does not capture all the children placed in our care. We welcome scores of children during VBS and other events, as well as through childcare offered during ESL, Bible studies, and other programs. The parents and guardians of these children entrust PCPC to teach truth, provide a fun, Gospel-centered atmosphere, and keep them safe. Indeed, we have a special responsibility to teach the Gospel and witness to these precious children in a safe, loving environment. While many effective safety procedures are already in place, PCPC recently made a larger commitment to child safety by partnering with Ministry Safe, an abuse-prevention firm in Fort Worth.

Ministry Safe is a training firm dedicated to sexual-abuse awareness and prevention. Its co-founders, Greg Love and Kim Norris, are a husband-wife legal team and nationally recognized experts in the field of child sexual-abuse training and prevention. Representing ministries, camps, churches, schools, and other entities that deliver children’s services throughout the U.S., their practice focuses primarily on prevention systems and litigation.

Sadly, child sexual al abuse is a widespread and devastating problem in our culture and the church, with no regard to race, religion, or socioeconomic status. Implementing quality protective measures requires an understanding of what constitutes child sexual abuse and how it happens. Sexual abuse is commonly defined as any tricked, forced, manipulated, or coerced sexual activity for the pleasure of the abuser and may occur physically, verbally, or visually. According to multiple respected studies, one of four girls and one of six boys will be sexually abused before reaching the age of 18.

These statistics suggest that you probably know and serve alongside people who have been victimized.

Almost daily, a new allegation of abuse through a university, school, camp, or church is reported by local media.

Many of us ask, “How could that have happened there?”

Contrary to popular misconceptions, nearly 90 percent of child sexual abuse involves a perpetrator the child knows and trusts. Most sexual abuse victims are ashamed, feel alone, and fear that no one would believe them if they spoke up. Unfortunately, when incidents of abuse are brought to the attention of authorities, it has frequently been known or suspected by adults for a long time. Some common witness responses to allegations have been that (1) they did not fully recognize what was happening or what they saw; (2) they did see something but did not know whom to tell; and (3) they did report it but were told to keep quiet. With the proper education and courage, these outcomes can be avoided, and abusers can be dealt with before more children fall victim.

Protecting the children PCPC steps up training and awareness Ministry Safe summarizes the issue well: “Child sexual abuse is a real and compelling risk for all child-serving organizations. Effective training provides employees and volunteers with the information and tools necessary to effectually address this mission-killing risk.” Due to trusting environments and low barriers in place for volunteers, churches are often easiest access points for abusers. PCPC is serious about protecting its children, and the Ministry Safe program will ensure that we have a superior safety system in place to help prevent the risk of child sexual abuse within our church.

Stepped up protection plans We are working closely with Ministry Safe to solidify practices to detect, protect, and resolve any allegations or incidents of abuse. Our plan emphasizes proactivity over reactivity. Later this year, we will hold mandatory training sessions for all staff and volunteers serving with any of our children and youth to ensure that they are educated on recognizing and preventing abuse and understand the importance of reporting allegations and incidents.

Because the stakes are so high, no volunteer or staff member will be exempted from training. We regard working with kids as a privilege, not a right or a favor.

This no-exemptions policy is consistent with the esteem in which we, as a church, hold our children, and it pays appropriate deference to the devastating impact this scourge has on the child, the family, and the church. This commitment will protect not only the children, but also the staff, members, volunteers, and mission of PCPC. It is our prayer that the program and its training requirements will be seen for what they truly are—a blessing for this church.

Please pray for our staff and volunteers. Please pray that the ugliness of sexual abuse will never afflict our children and families. Please pray for any victims who may come forward through these efforts (or even through this article) and that counsel, comfort, and love will be poured upon them by their PCPC family.

My personal motto throughout implementation of Ministry Safe has been, “Not my kids, not on my watch!” I pray that you will partner with the Family Ministry and commit to praying over, protecting, and healthily loving every child who enters our doors. Opportunities to serve PCPC children abound, and I welcome any questions you may have about service or the Ministry Safe program.

—Heather Squibb Recommend reading: “Key Questions about Child Sexual Abuse in the Church,” at http://byfaithonline.com/key-questions-about-child-sexual-abusein-the-church/

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Brody and Paxton Baird

2014 marked another year of fun and excitement for our annual PCPC youth trip, cleverly named “The Florida Trip.” We set a new record with over 250 students attending along with roughly 45 college and adult leaders this first week of June!

For the first time, we had to charter six buses to get us from point A to point B, Panama City Beach, Florida.

Of course we invaded a few fast food joints along the way, rife with wideeyed employees who took it with a hint of gloom the sight of their restaurant being swarmed with high school students like ancient Egypt enduring one of the 10 plagues. Our kids were well behaved though, and we made it into Florida without a hiccup around midnight, laid out our trip rules and schedule, and promptly hit the sheets.

Ginny Hoy, Meg Taylor, Anna Beecherl, and Olivia Scott

The week was filled with games, skits, and beach and pool side activities.

From a beach volleyball tournament to Spike Ball to Smash Ball to the famous “Pool Game” invented by our very own Robby Higginbottom, our kids had plenty of options for entertainment throughout the week.

Intermittent throughout their free time were times to discuss spiritual matters and dive deeper with them into topics of eternal significance.

After breakfast in the mornings, students sat down for 30 minutes of

devotionals, written by youth intern Nichole Laher, which walked them through Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and emphasized the importance of prayer and communication with our Lord about what is truly going on inside our hearts. At the end of each devotional was a prayer, written by a different staff member each day, which students were encouraged to use as a spring board into a time of prayer for themselves, where they could be honest about their affections and apprehensions towards our God. After devotionals, students attended one of four seminars for the first four days of our trip, taught by Brent Baker, Rachel Hopkins, Bryan Newman, and Grayson Baird.

The topic for seminars was, “What does Jesus say about _________.” We heard Volleyball winners

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these speakers give their insights on what Jesus might say about performance and success, identity, the narrowness of Christianity, and judgment of others. After seminars, lunch, and six hours of free time, students would eat dinner and then gather each night for a time of worship led by Robby and several other leaders, and then to hear from our main speaker, Jonathan Macintosh. Jonathan spoke about Jesus, teaching them from the book of Luke. We dwelled on the question of why everyone who came in contact with Christ either wanted to kill Him or follow Him with his or her life. Following each nightly group time, students gathered in their cabins with their cabin leader, focused first on questions regarding Jonathan’s message with the goal of giving each and every student a chance to reflect on and respond to the messages and lessons they received each day.

On the last day of the trip, we took the kids out onto the moonlit beach under a star-speckled sky for 20 minutes of silent reflection—a time intended to pull them away from all distractions, ranging from smart phones to the faces of those around them, to give each student a chance to simply meet with Him who loves them most in the world. The students

sat, knelt, or lay in the sand for 20 full minutes of complete, distractionfree silence, something very few of us get to experience in the world of instant texts, e-mails, news, and social media that we live in today.

Afterwards we had a time of worship and gave students an opportunity to meet with one of our staff members to pray over any and everything they might need prayer for. Over 100 students made their way out onto the building’s balcony to request prayer from our leaders, and the sense of the Holy Spirit moving was obvious as student after student wore a face of absolute joy or shed tears or both!

It was a powerful reminder of the way our God is able to work and move, at times, like the hurricane.

flori da fruit

Upon return we reviewed the response cards students handed in at the end of the week, and it put into perspective the powerful work of the Spirit in the lives of our students.

Of the 200 hundred students who filled out response cards, over 120 requested to start (if they haven’t) or continue (if they have been) meeting in small group Bible studies during the school year. Sixty students requested an opportunity to meet one-on-one with a leader once we returned home to Dallas. Most exciting of all, we had 17 students profess faith in Christ for the first time.

While numbers are not the focus of the trip and can lead us into dangerous territory where we sinfully emphasize effectiveness over faithfulness, God is able to use even our response cards, potentially a stumbling block for our ministry, to give us individual names, prayer requests, and personal contact requests, so that the ministry begun in Florida can continue here in Dallas.

Year after year in Florida, our God manages to use broken and sinful men and women to deliver His perfect and holy message of saving grace to the hearts and minds of our youth. We ask you to join with us in praying God would foster and nourish those seeds of belief into oak trees planted throughout our Metroplex into bold student leaders unashamed of their knowledge that they are broken and so grateful for the Savior they know who has redeemed them. Pray that they can’t help but tell, shout, and sing of what they have seen and heard Him do.

Father in heaven, we thank you for another wonderful Florida trip and for using it to draw many, including our youth staff, closer to you. May You continue Your work begun on this trip and work similarly on trips to come!

With love in Him, —PCPC High School Youth Staff

Seniors' prayer time

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A plan for Kingdom impact...

starting with our own hearts

first call to prayer from a mosque, ate unidentifiable things, and saw grass and stick huts.

Claire Acree (l) and Vitale team leader Brittany Bradberry

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ast March six Dallasites embarked on the first of a threephase business-as-mission trip to Senegal, the effort of a new partnership between PCPC and Videre, a Christian non-profit, to help bring about sustainable change in West Africa through business mentorship and microfinance. Videre has been working in Ghana for the last several years to accomplish the same task. Three PCPC members and three Videre team members sought to begin the process of teaching Senegalese Christians about business with the hope that they would become well equipped to start their own businesses and gain small loans from the program. Our inaugural class was made up of pastors from the Église Presbytérienne du Sénégal (EPS) and those they mentor.

Before I even stepped foot on the plane, the Lord had already started changing my heart through this trip. In our pretrip meetings, we learned that Senegal is predominantly Muslim (over 94 percent), and life for most of the Senegalese people is far different from life in the U.S. Over the course of our nine days in Senegal, I heard my

Dick Senzig, PCPC member and MTW missionary, with a new friend

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to wonder what my Kingdom impact strategy is for my life. After moving to Dallas with no friends and no job, I came to know the Lord and quickly surrounded myself with Christian friends. Though this fellowship is wonderful, it is doing very little to extend the Kingdom. I’ve now started to think about my own Kingdom impact strategy, and this trip has played a large role in my ability to do that.

I learned what business looks like in Senegal, but most importantly, I heard firsthand how each of the men in my group came to know the Lord.

Their stories were filled with hardship and persecution that I didn’t realize still existed in our world, especially in a country like Senegal that touts its harmony and stability. Some of the Even in the few weeks that I’ve been men’s fathers were even willing to back, I’ve had countless opportunities kill them, deciding that death for their to share with friends and coworkers sons was a better fate than allowing about what the Lord is doing in them to be Christians. Though the Senegal and in my heart. He gave Bible tells of people who have been me an opportunity in Senegal to willing to lay down their lives for the stand face-to-face with my own sin Lord, meeting people who faced that and selfishness. I had become so reality, and did so at the mercy of consumed with my life and productivity their earthly father’s that I scarcely hand, gave an entirely thought about Join the Phase III Videre Team! new meaning to what how the Lord September 19-28 boldness of faith might wants to use Contact amanda.brack@pcpc.org look like in my life. me each day. for more information.

He used this When someone trip to change becomes Christian in Senegal, he me, and despite the hardships that the or she is no longer allowed to live in people I met have been through and the (most likely Muslim) community. will continue to face, I rejoice in the Christians are socially ostracized, fact that we know the end of the story. shunned, forced to leave the only life Christ is coming! There are no sweeter they have ever known, and are never words to hear. allowed back. Helping these people —Claire Acree start businesses in order to build Senegalese pastors and their mentors Christian communities is vital to the continuation of the growth of Christianity in Senegal—giving believers not only a way to provide for themselves but to grow their churches and give new believers a place of refuge.

Videre’s curriculum emphasizes not only business plans but a Kingdom impact strategy, without which entrepreneurs are ineligible for loans no matter how wonderful their business plans.

Learning from the Senegalese men about what Kingdom impact might look like in their lives and businesses begged me AUGUST 2014 • PCPC WITNESS

At his retirement celebration on Sunday June 22, the PCA's Mission to the World honored Curt’ by presenting him with a beautiful globe. (l to r: Curt and Sue Dobbs, Paul Taylor from MTW)

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The Lord is working... all the time

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have to be careful when I “wait for the Lord,” because I often imagine that I am waiting for Him to work. No, He is always at work! I am only waiting for Him to show me what He is doing. And when He shows me, I am always blown away!

ESL classes at PCPC feel very routine. We have four days of class during the week all school-year long.

Our students are adults from the community who need to learn English for their jobs or to help their kids with homework or to talk to the doctor or buy groceries with confidence. PCPC members volunteer to teach one class per week and to get to know the students, pray for them, and talk to them about Jesus. It is so much fun! But you can imagine that with the week-in, week-out school year grind, after about the hundredth time you’ve recited the alphabet or listened to Maria spell her name: M-A-R-E…no…I start to wonder, Lord, are you working?

One evening last year at ESL before classes started, Ofelia, who had not come to class in several months, showed up with her son in tow. I greeted her and welcomed her back, but she obviously wasn’t there for class; she just wanted to talk. "My son has made some bad choices," she said. "He’s gotten in with the wrong crowd and is in trouble at school. I’m talking to him about it and we are seeing a counselor, but I wanted to come see you, too. I remember that when I was coming here to English class, and he would go to the Kid’s Club, he was a different person. I want him to learn about God and go to church. Can you help us?"

I was astonished! I would have looked at Ophelia’s name on the class roster and assumed that we had not reached her. She hadn’t come to class in months.

Soon, I would have deleted her from the list. But no!

The Lord is at work! He worked through the Kid’s Club at ESL classes to show Ofelia and her family their

The faithful and prayerful morning ESL teachers celebrating a fruitful year: Barbara Gillis, Becky Walton, Mary Latin, Jeanne Wyatt, Linda Sessions, Lee Bridgeman, Pixie Mabry, Hugh Ferguson

But, if you are faithfully serving as the Lord has called you to serve, you aren’t just showing up for class and helping your students get their vowels figured out, you are praying—praying for the Lord to work, praying for Him to show you how He is working, praying for Maria, who told you she needs a job, to be provided for and to praise the Lord for it; praying for Jorge, who only comes about once a month that he will find rest and hear the Gospel when he comes to class.

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need of Him and to begin calling them to Himself! How encouraging!

When you are tempted to drum your fingers with impatience while you “wait” for the Lord, remember this story! Remember that He is always working when you are being faithful to serve and to pray. And if you don’t yet know where or how to serve this fall, consider coming and waiting and praying with us in ESL. ­—Elizabeth Cunningham AUGUST 2014 • PCPC WITNESS

The graduating class included PCPC current or former staff members and family: front row—Angela Brody (first from left), Robby Higginbottom (eighth from left); middle row—James Madden (third from left), John Paul Schulze (fifth from left); back row—Scott Brody (third from left).

Redeemer Seminary thriving Large graduating class ready to serve

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Over 15 years ago, PCPC undertook a 20/20 vision of planting 100 churches in the US and around the world. To provide and send out trained planters and pastors for those churches, PCPC realized it needed a seminary training students in PCPC's commitments and a church-planting network sending and supporting them in the field. PCPC began a partnership with a seminary, now called Redeemer Seminary, which operates programs in Dallas, Austin, Houston, and is beginning programs in San Antonio and Phoenix. The mission of Redeemer Seminary is to be “a learning community dedicated to supporting the church in preparing disciples of Jesus Christ for ordained and non-ordained Gospel ministry, through study of His Word, formation into His likeness, and training in His church’s mission to the world, all to the glory of God.” Redeemer had a year worth celebrating. The Center for Worship and Music presented an in-home recital with Paul Jones and Motoi Takeda and a community luncheon with Fernando Ortega. In October, Redeemer hosted Keith and Kristyn Getty in concert at the Meyerson Symphony Center with a choir composed of over 30 area churches. In January, it presented the inaugural “Missionary God Missional Church” Conference for students and ministry leaders.

Featuring Tim Keller, Sinclair Ferguson, Todd Hunter, and Bruce Wesley, this conference brought together pastors and church leaders from a variety of denominations to reflect and strategize on the missionary purposes of the church.

In March, Redeemer held the second annual fundraising dinner in Dallas. And throughout the year, the seminary hosted many community luncheon events on campus.

Redeemer’s greatest accomplishment this year was graduating 28 students. The largest graduating class to date, these men and women will go on to serve Christ and His Church as church-planters to Brazil and South Asia; pastors and campus ministers in New York, North Carolina, and Texas; urban missionaries in D.C. and Dallas; biblical counselors, writers, and a hospital chaplain. These students head into the harvest to join other Redeemer alumni and their Christian brothers and sisters to share the Gospel with the world.

Redeemer invites you to enjoy on-campus activities or the beautiful library, or audit a class! Call 214-528-8600 to learn more and to be involved at Redeemer.

—Lauren Krempin

The apostle Peter writes to always be "prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you" (1 Pet. 3:15). This afternoon while walking in Warren Park following my second class of seminary, I was stopped by a man who asked my name and what was wrong with me. I explained why I walk with crutches, and then he told me that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer on Sunday.

As I continued on my walk, the Spirit prompted me to return and share the hope of the Gospel with him using the text of John 1 that we've been translating in my Greek class the last two days. I told him that I had returned because I wanted to share something with him. The Lord led me to tell him that due to the reality that my skeletal issues will probably never improve the rest of my life, many could think that my life is hopeless. Yet I do have hope because Jesus Christ came and (as the Greek word ἐσκήνωσεν literally translates) tabernacled with us in order that we may have life abundantly in Him. When the Lord brought His people out of bondage, He did not merely bring them out, but He Himself tabernacled with them and remained with them always, even in the darkness of oppression from their enemies or their own rebellion against Him. He sent Christ to redeem our sorrow and to give us hope of eternal life in the midst of our despair and death, and I told him that he too could have this hope even as the end seems near.

He told me that he does trust Christ as his Lord and Savior, and I got to pray with him before departing. Today I saw the Lord using the equipping I am receiving through His Word in seminary and the avenue He has given me through my life story to share the hope of Christ with a man passing through the valley of death. His Word never returns to Him empty (Isa. 55:11). Soli Deo Gloria!

— posted June 3, 2014, by Redeemer student Matthew O'Hearn

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summer bible conference

THE RENEWED MIND The influence of Isaac Watts

or four Thursdays in July, the Seniors Ministry sponsored a series entitled The Renewed Mind, where Isaac Watts’ influence on preaching, teaching, praise, and prayer on the English-speaking church was explored.

The influence of Isaac Watts is strong in the practice of praise and worship even today at PCPC. Traditional singing of the Old Testament Psalms was the usual in the Reformation from the days of John Calvin, but the tunes, meter, and phrasing were awkward, dull, and not very singable.

Watts changed all that by writing poetic interpretations of the psalms that were easy to sing.

These were not exact translations but interpretations and applications of the Hymnbook of David. These interpretations were “to accommodate the Book of Psalms to Christian worship."

Watts’ Book of Metrical Psalms was published in 1719 and went through seven editions in his lifetime. So excellent and well received was Watts’ Psalms that when in 1838 the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church sought to prepare a new Psalter, the committee worked for four years, then simply reprinted Watts.

Watts had found the formula for praise and worship. Using primarily three standard meters as well as popular, singable tunes, these psalms spoke the heart of the worshipper in poetry suitable to the New Testament Gospel and the Church.

Hymns we love

Beyond psalm singing, the church was moving more to the use of the hymn in worship, but often these were too obscure in text and dull in tune. As a 12 12

young teenager, Watts began to write original poems that quickly became texts for hymns. The free churches adopted them readily. Before he was done, Watts had written 697 hymns.

At Christmas we sing his “Joy to the World." At Easter we sing his “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross." All year we sing his “Jesus Shall Reign” and “Our God Our Help in Ages Past."

Our Trinity Hymnal contains 36 of Watts' hymns.

Preaching power

large number of subjects that were controversial in that era. A beacon of the Age of Reason, Watts insisted that Christian doctrine be clearly understood. Watts interacted with John Locke in the arena of Ideology (as well as Isaac Newton in Astronomy and Physics). Clear thinking was his quest for all preachers. To that end, he wrote a textbook, Logic (1724), which was used at Oxford and Cambridge for almost a century. Watts showed the Christian faith to be reasonable to a sound, logical, reasoning mind.

Yet Watts also insisted on the proper place of emotion in human religious experience.

Religious affection was to be a reality in authentic Christian experience.

Watts lived to see the revival in England as well. He met with George Whitfield several times.

On one occasion, he actually met, conversed, walked, and sang with the Wesley brothers. Imagine Charles Wesley and Isaac Watts walking, talking, and singing together!

Isaac Watts also had a profound influence upon the teaching and preaching of his day. Pedagogy, the science of teaching, was really his greatest area of expertise. He developed the concept of teaching to age groups. He wrote catechisms for specific ages , i.e. preschool, young children, older children, and teenagers. The Art of Reading and Writing in English (1721) was one of many books to influence education in England.

Prayer balance

For most of his life, Watts pastored a Congregational church that had many of the families of John Owens’ earlier ministry. His preaching covered a

In preaching, teaching, praise, and prayer, Watts influenced the churches for the better.

—Ron Williams

Prayer was of utmost concern to Watts, and his influence upon the practice of prayer in the public worship was reflected in his book A Guide to Prayer (1715). It deals with two schools of thought on public prayer in worship. One said prayers should be formal and written. The other argued for extemporaneous prayer. Watts argued the merits of both.

AUGUST 2014• •PCPC PCPC WITNESS AUGUST 2014 WITNESS

May 13, 2014

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have been told that it is important for us of above-average age to find ways to stimulate our minds in an effort to keep us “Jack be nimble, Jack be quick." Both Ron Williams and Jane Beasley made a valiant and successful effort to accomplish this feat for the 35-plus of us who journeyed north to Walmart country—whoever is the sign maker has an easy assignment, making the same “W” repeatedly, only different sizes.

Our Trip to

Crystal Bridges

surreptitiously moved) standing guard.

We discovered the owner of the 21C Hotels purchased an endless supply of penguins, different color for each

Arriving late afternoon of the first day, we were greeted by large fiberglass penguins (lightweight, four feet tall, easily and often

Above, Benny Newman and Martha French Left, Jean Buchanan and Jeanie Smith

hotel. We won the lottery with apple green—always in view—keeping us company. I wanted to move one to our door to greet Toni Rothpletz on her way to breakfast but decided it would be too early for the shock.

The 21C Hotel is mostly a surreal art gallery that has a well-stocked restaurant and very comfortable sleeping accommodations. There PCPCWITNESS WITNESS • • AUGUST AUGUST2014 2014 PCPC

was no lack of conversation as we wandered the many halls while viewing an almost bizarre collection.

Following was Alice Walton’s Crystal Bridges Museum—a building unlike any I have encountered—composed of floating oblong units with armadillolike corrugated roofs. The first floor is located on a different level from the entrance. Visitors must work to keep their heads about them as they walk through rooms of curved walls to display lovely rare pieces of art with origins from the beginning of our country up to the present day. I could have easily remained one more day to absorb the lush outdoors, winding trails with interesting metal sculptures.

Everything is designed and built to perfection.

The mission accomplished, I came home—mind swirling, wanting to return, grateful to both our guides for enhancing our mental capacity and nurturing us along the way as our bonds of friendship knitted closer together. Thank you and thank you again.

I am now ready for the next outing.

—Martha French 13 13

Leading a job i n t e r v i e w cl a s s

EXALTING CHRIST IN THE CITY s believers in Christ, we are called to seek the good of our city by the power of His Spirit for the glory of God. PCPC has long been actively at work in our city, and recently the Lord provided another opportunity for us to serve Him at Carver Elementary in West Dallas.

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This past spring the Young Adults were privileged on several occasions to bless this particular elementary school by serving it in the name of Christ through simple blessings: cookies personally delivered to the teachers, our presence as chaperones at their first annual Valentine’s Dance, a new washer and dryer purchased for the school so students can have the dignity of clean clothes (they often come to school in soiled attire), and handwritten notes to the teachers every day during Teacher Appreciation Week.

The Lord was generous to provide glimpses of His fruit through our small acts of service to this school. The principal said she was amazed by the washer and dryer. Marc Redus, who actively served in the Carver partnership, shared that during Teacher Appreciate Week, “The staff were

We are exiles in this world, but while we are here, we are charged to be a blessing to those around us, particularly those in our moral proximity whose plight we know and whose lives we can readily engage. We are in the city for a purpose, and what a great gift it has been to serve at Carver!

really surprised each day that a new handwritten note was presented to them individually and felt the cumulative love the five notes represented... all the teachers expressed warm gratitude each day in many ways—hugs, hand squeezes, moist eyes. These teachers work hard under a complex set of circumstances that are difficult at best and truly impossible in some ways.”

Our prayer is that we may have greater opportunity next year to engage the teachers and students at Carver Elementary in West Dallas. They are our neighbors. May God use our Young Adult community to sow in our city the grace, peace, and joy of our Lord Jesus Christ and the eternal hope that comes from the Gospel. May we be prayerful and active ministers of reconciliation with the goal to uproot evil and see the name of Christ exalted in Dallas!

—Erin Patrick

Chaperones!

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AUGUST 2014 • PCPC WITNESS

What a day of rejoicing

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n the rainy summer morning of June 28, lines began to form on the sidewalks of Reverchon Park in Dallas.

Families and people with their belongings in backpacks, tote bags, purses, and loaded on carts began to arrive at UGM’s 29th Annual Homeless Games Day—and what a blessing to behold! Volunteers from PCPC, Watermark, and Grace Bible Church along with youth from North Dallas High School greeted the participants

Lynn and Jim Stroud, with the help of Carol Huckin, hosted a gathering of families from Care Cluster 11 for a picnic in their backyard on June 1. About 55 people attended, with adults gathering for conversation, kids for swimming, and everyone for hamburgers and all the trimmings that the Hamburger Man brings along.

as praise music began in the background, grills fired up, and the children’s activities were quickly in full gear. As I looked at the picnic grounds, I was reminded of Jesus' words, “I am the bread of life,” and “Whoever comes to Me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never go thirsty.”

They came and stayed beyond the meal, joining in praise as the music continued through the morning. Some in attendance kept a distance, enjoying the surroundings, while others kindly shared how they came to Dallas. The goal every day at UGM is to minister, to listen, and to be a resource for hurting people. And today was no different, we met and shared with many impoverished people in our own community.

It is a reminder that in this world we receive whatever comes our way—

sheets of rain, bone-chilling cold, or unrelenting sun. Needs are immediate and obvious, and many need help to meet them. Suddenly the reality of our mission on earth becomes so very real as we recall Jesus’ words: "Whatever you do to the least of these, you do unto Me." The discomforts we experience for a season in life should remind us that people all over the world are hurting and in need of Jesus. What a day it was to serve and enjoy in the fellowship of the many, created in the image of our majestic and sovereign God. We were given a glimpse of heaven on earth on this beautiful morning, and my heart rejoiced as I walked away thinking of the hymn:

When we all get to heaven, What a day of rejoicing that will be, When we all see Jesus, We’ll sing and shout the victory!

—Imelda Ottmers

Old-fashioned Fun

Above (l to r): Charlie and Myrna Little, Tim and Andrea Thomason (holding Audrey), and Amy Koellner Far left: Leslie Merrick and Luke Stone Left: Tom Curnes, Jim Stroud, and Jeff Porter PCPC WITNESS • AUGUST 2014

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Vol. XIV, No. 3 • AUGUST 2014

Park Cities Presbyterian Church 4124 Oak Lawn Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75219 www . pcpc . org

Periodical Postage Paid at Dallas, Texas

packs the park!

he crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, the peanuts and Crackerjacks—baseball season was in full swing, and the opening day of the Home Run Derby (2014 VBS) was just around the corner. As VBS preparations entered the home stretch, PCPC’s Children’s Ministry team organized a little “pre-season” fun at the Dr. Pepper Ballpark in Frisco.

Batter up

Though “Lefty Vaughn” was too busy training for his debut in the Home Run Derby to attend the game (though some say Elementary Coordinator and game spectator James Madden bares a striking resemblance to VBS’s eager rookie), the families in attendance scored with seats behind home plate, unlimited hot dogs and cold sodas, a beautiful cloud-free day, and good conversation with PCPC friends! The Rough Riders ultimately lost the game that steamy May 4 afternoon, but that just highlighted the 2014 VBS theme and scripture: the only real and meaningful victory is in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins!

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57.)

—Heather Holmes

Above, Taylor Stone (l) and Tommy Overton chat during the game.

Right, The PCPC crowd gets into the game!