WITNESS: August 1, 2009 by Park Cities Presbyterian Church

Presbyterian Church in America

pcpc Is it in you?

"Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all. In Your hand are power and might,

Vol. XX, No. 3 • Park Cities Presbyterian Church • AUGUST 2009

Superheroes of VBS celebrate Jesus

and in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all." —1 Chronicles 29:12

Cool Christian crowd gathers in library

Colin spreads gospel seeds in China

Making music intrinsic to little lives

Catching the vision in the Florida sun

Students take love of Christ to VOH

Reaching the mission field all around us

Texans tote boots and gospel to Japan

Young family sent out to serve in East Asia 10 New RUF faces at UT and Baylor

Word and wives draw husbands to Christ

Women Ministries not a club, but you 14 Parables translated into visual works of art 15

By all accounts this year’s Vacation Bible School was a very fruitful endeavor as more than 100 adult and 40 youth volunteers from PCPC, New St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church, Providence Presbyterian Church, and Mercy Street joined forces to share the gospel

Superhero ???????????? ?????????/ Singing during worship time

of Christ with 350 children during a very special summer week of superhero fun! The Program: THRPPGEW Allowing Paul’s instructive words from Philippians 4:8 to shape the week’s theme, the children learned to think on these things:

“Whatever is True, whatever is Honorable, whatever is Right, whatever is Pure, whatever is Pleasing, whatever is Good, if there is any Excellence, anything Worthy of Praise.” Aided by the original music scored by Jill Smith, Superhero Charlie (Charlie

Matter) and Professor THRPPGEW (Brent Baker) traveled back in time to visit David, Daniel, Ruth and Paul. As each day’s story unfolded the children discovered that we are super not because we are smart enough or strong enough but because the Holy Spirit empowers us with His perfect gifts.

Every day’s lesson was further reinforced with a terrific superhero cape craft coordinated by Robyn Howland. My kids still run around the house in their “Super Charlie” capes, and they can still recite Philippians 4:8! The lessons of continued on page 2

VBS

continued from page 1

VBS week continue to feed fruitful discussion in our house, as I’m sure they do in many others. Even the volunteers’ youngest nursery and preschool children were blessed with rich music and terrific care each morning. Lynda Fray and her teen music volunteers taught, served, and enjoyed supporting the VBS workers in this way. OUTREACH in many directions Almost one third of the children who attended were not from one of our host churches. Dan Stewart teaches 35 fourth and fifth graders

Additionally, Cristo Rey hosted two great separate weeks of VBS ministry and community outreach in its church neighborhood park, supported with curriculum and other resources from the PCPC VBS ministry. And a lasting VBS gift to Mercy Street library was made through a book drive organized by Shannon Graham with donations throughout the week from the children and vol-

unteers of many hundreds of children’s books. FAMILY NIGHT VBS ended with a block party of sorts in the church parking lot. With bounce houses, dunking booths, cotton candy, and sno-cones—and of course lots of pizza, our VBS families had a chance to fellowship and swap stories of their children’s memorable week. But the fun outside was a mere shadow of the final program inside. Parents throughout Fellowship Hall were awed and touched by what their children had learned throughout the week—the unconditional lovingkindness they had experienced from their teachers and the way the gospel had come to life through the skits and music. Memories were made that, Lord willing, will last a lifetime. THRPPGEW…is it in YOU? —Ellen Lee

Summer-style snowball wars

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ssizzlin i zzl i n’’ summer summe r story time

LibraryiscoolspotforPCPCmomsandkids

As a new mother who moved to Dallas two years ago, I greatly enjoyed the Sizzlin’ Summer Story Time, held every Tuesday in June and July. The tone was very casual; most children listened to the stories, but there were always a few who ran or crawled around the perimeter of the room. We read many different types of stories, and at least one book each week focused on the Bible. We also sang songs after each story—a very effective way to keep the children’s attention. My one-year-old daughter loved watching the older preschoolers sing ”Father Abraham,” which we both learned together. (The song involves jumping, which she found very exciting!) Most importantly, story time was about Christian community. Parents do not need to live in isolation; during the summer, many mothers and children were able to visit PCPC and have fun while being exposed to the gospel, with no obligation or expense. Each week, my daughter and I sang together and heard about people like Daniel AUGUST 2009

and Jonah. We went home filled with a joy that continued throughout the entire day. And it was so encouraging to see other Christian mothers at story time, especially those who were simultaneously shepherding two, three, or four children. I’m still in awe of their balancing act! Story time was also a great way to bring a neighbor to church, especially those who might find the Sunday service intimidating. When story time ended, moms and children lingered and enjoyed the library, rich with children’s books, and the blessing of getting to know each other better in the fresh and cheerful remodeled preschool ministry spaces. In early May, I walked into the library one day and asked, ”Can we have a story time here once a week?” Within two weeks, the staff helped make it happen, and posters, publicity, and story readers were in place. And then they thanked me for helping them, even though I had not done any of the work! My daughter and I are the ones who are very thankful! —Amanda Lindemann PCPC WITNESS • 3

Sinner, saved by grace, spreads the seed of the gospel

Colin Howland ministers in China’s ”legal” church

Invited back to China by some church musician friends, Colin Howland made local history with his organ performances this spring and returned home with a renewed zeal for evangelism. He spent the week of April 27– May 4 in two cities, Hangzhou and Wenzhou. Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, is a major historic city that Marco Polo in his Travels called “without doubt the finest and most splendid city in the world.” In 2005, Hangzhou’s Chong Yi Church built what is now the largest church building in China, seating 5,000 people. Colin was invited to celebrate the building’s fourth anniversary. A Texas Christian who loves music, Dow Young, was instrumental in donating an organ to Chong Yi Church. “Organs are not common in China,” Colin says; “This was an unusual gift.” The Chong Yi organ is a digital organ like the three brought in for the recent Philadelphia Organ Quartet concert at PCPC. Colin’s connection to Zhejiang province dates from 2006, when Dow arranged for three Chinese pianists to visit PCPC and other Dallas churches to learn about organ music. As they studied with Colin, his intention was “not to have them do what we do, but to broaden their vision of what church music could be like.” The next spring Dow invited Colin, Lynda Fray, and David Fray on a teaching trip to Hangzhou and Wenzhou.

Making the most of his opportunities

On this year’s trip, Colin visited Zhejiang Theological Seminary in Hangzhou. He was supposed to play at the dedication service for its organ, also donated by Dow. Unfortunately, the organ was damaged in shipping, so Colin played the piano and sang as well. When he asked for song requests, one woman asked for some African-American music. Colin sang the spiritual “Give Me Jesus.” Because 4 • PCPC WITNESS

of the language barrier, he said, he was “looking for ways to present the gospel in little nuggets like that.” Over the weekend at a Bible conference commemorating Chong Yi Church’s anniversary, Colin played the organ in both Sunday morning services. He also gave a concert in the afternoon with the adult and children’s choirs. Just as he does in concerts at PCPC, Colin seized the opportunity to talk about his Savior between the pieces he performed. At the beginning of his visit, Dow had asked Colin how he would like to be introduced. “The only important thing for them to know was that I was a sinner saved by grace,” Colin said. That’s how he was introduced the whole time—“a sinner saved by grace.” The pastor of Chong Yi knew that a certain high-ranking provincial official enjoyed organ music, so he invited him to the afternoon concert, and the official was among the 3,000 people who came. “I don’t think he’s a believer,” Colin said, but the man was still able to enjoy the music. According to the pastor, who sat next to the high-ranking official during the organ program, the man commented, “He is a very genuine Christian” after he heard Colin’s introduction. Colin has no idea what that means, but at the very least he knows that the official heard about sin and grace. Whatever the state of his soul, Colin said, “I rejoice in the relationship between the pastor and that man.” One of the pianists who came here in 2006 is a piano teacher, and his family owns a music store in Wenzhou, 250 miles from Hangzhou. They are active in their church’s music ministry. On Friday night, their organ (another Dow Young donation) was taken to their church for a concert.

Colin took the bus down from Hangzhou. With only two days’ notice, his hosts had managed to fill the church. Colin was struck by their use of technology. They videotaped his practice session on Friday afternoon and were playing it on the projection screens as people came in for the concert. They also began replaying the concert recording instantly after it ended. Colin thinks it’s possible that he gave Wenzhou’s first organ recital. It was also likely that it was the first time many of his listeners had ever been to an organ concert. “When we went out to eat, we would pray openly at tables,” Colin said. “Christianity is legal in China. Churches are registered with the government. It’s legal to go to church.” A body called the Three Self Patriotic Movement governs the Chinese church, ensuring that it stays particularly Chinese. “Three Self” refers to the fact that it is self-governing, selfsupporting (not funded by foreigners), and self-propagating (involving indigenous, not foreign, missionaries). There is also a large underground church movement in China, unauthorized by the government. On his visits, Colin has participated in the registered church movement. “It’s encouraging to sit in a Chinese restaurant with Chinese pastors and have prayer,” Colin said. “Out loud. That’s cool.” Still, he says, “I’ve talked with Chinese who keep their faith quiet.”

Colin (second from left) and Lynday Fray (third from l with the Chinese organists visiting PCPC in 2006

Colin noticed some differences between Chinese and American worship. The services he attended were long—sermons lasted 40–45 AUGUST 2009

left)

Musikgarten

Getting off to a good start

The Arts Academy at PCPC seeks to raise up a new generation of children who love and understand music and who desire to use their talents to glorify our Lord. Our early childhood music program offers a series of group music lessons for children which focus on enriching children’s daily life with music. The curriculum, known as Musikgarten, utilizes musical play, which is natural in a young child. This slowly builds a path to music literacy and, along the way, helps to grow other areas of development as they sing, play and experience music. In each class, mother and child learn to once again enjoy the games, folk songs, rhymes and lullabies that are hard to find in our culture, but desperately needed to foster an enriched life. The Family Music for Babies class for birth–15 months has mother and baby together learning bouncing songs, finger play, peek-a-boo, nursery rhymes, and lullabies by the demonstration of the teacher. It’s a great time for mother and child to bond in the warm experiences of music and to store up musical language in the child’s absorbing mind to be used as he or she gets older. The class for Toddlers age 15 months–3 years caters to children trying to figure out the world on their own terms. They are not expected to perform but are bathed in musical play via games, instrumental playing, and focused listening experiences. We seek to develop the whole child through movement control, social skills, and listening skills through music.

minutes. The whole congregation read scripture passages, sometimes responsively. (Director of World Missions Corey Young, who has lived in China, witnessed Christians coming to church up to an hour early to practice the hymns that would be sung during the service.) “I experienced a fervency on this trip,” Colin said. “The participation in their worship is very vital. When someone’s praying, they respond in whispers. Their singing is very robust.” Colin talked to a young woman in Hangzhou who had just finished her freshman year at a Baptist school in the US. She said that she wanted to get to know her American classmates, but “in America everyone wants to have parties all the time.” AUGUST 2009

The Cycle of Seasons class for 3- and 4- year-olds works in the context of the maturing imagination and independence of this age group. Still with mom in class, this curriculum uses all the musical play of before, but groups them around seasons that the children are learning to recall and offers more age-appropriate stories. Music literacy begins take hold in this age group as we put language to melodic and harmonic patterns that they have experienced. All of these classes build up to the Music Makers at Home and Music Makers in the World classes for preschool and kindergarten students. This two-year program expands the child’s musical world by exposing them to sounds and songs of many different environments, first through ecological systems, such as woodlands and marshes, then through different people groups, such as Germans and African- Americans. Through it all, the children are still learning listening skills, motion in dance and play, ensemble skills, creative skills, and how to read and write melodic and rhythmic patterns. First graders can then apply this wonderful background to the piano in our Keyboard I group class. They easily apply their trained musicality and wealth of songs to playing on the piano while still working on music reading skills. We pray that the classes offered at the PCPC Arts Academy foster and encourage children to use their gifts, in whatever context God places them. We hope you will join us as you begin your child’s musical journey! —Robert Waterman

“The church has a prosperity in America that perhaps may be its liability,” Colin said, “It’s a good reminder when we go to a place like China that Christianity’s not easy in these places.”

Dependency = vitality

Sometimes, however, it’s encouraging, Colin said—if we feel discouraged about the status of the gospel in America—that there are places where God is working powerfully. “China is one of those places where He’s doing mysterious and wonderful things.” “The Chinese church does not possess what we have in terms of resources,” Colin said, “but in another way it has everything we’ve got. If to be a vital church is to be a people dependent on the Lord, then all of those signs are there. What I’ve seen is a real joy in worship, a real hunger.”

Colin has a specific prayer request: “Pray for the registered church.” With government control, politically correct thought sometimes prevails in its teaching. He asks us to pray for faithful witnesses in the state-approved theological schools where pastors are being trained and equipped. Colin also encourages us to share the gospel without making excuses. “The only thing you can do is throw out little seeds. I don’t speak any Chinese. I don’t even know how I’m being translated. There’s a freedom in that—the Lord does the work.” “It should be encouraging to anybody,” he said. “You don’t have to be a pastor or a church musician. He’s not calling us to be Billy Graham. Go out into the workplace—a few gospel words you say at lunch may make an eternal difference. If you’ve got a story of rescue, you’re qualified.” —Stephanie Byrd PCPC WITNESS • 5

High schoolers catch the vision

Florida trip kicks off summer

For years, hundreds of area students have known that the end of the school year means studying, finals, yearbooks—and the PCPC Florida trip! This year a group of over 200 high school students, volunteers, and staff traveled to Panama City Beach to kick off the summer. From the famous volleyball tournament to hours in the sun, from the leisurely schedule to the powerful teaching, this trip is one of our favorites. In the evenings, students heard messages from Jean Larroux, pastor at Lagniappe Presbyterian Church in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Jean unfolded the parable of the prodigal sons in Luke 15. Students saw themselves in God’s Word in many ways as they learned about the two sons and the father. The younger son was separated from the father by his disobedience and flight to the far country, while the older son was separated from the father by his obedience and self-righteousness. One was lost far from home; one was lost at home without knowing it. We learned that the gospel of Jesus Christ is something altogether different from the younger son’s pursuit of self-discovery and the older son’s pursuit of strict moralism. Like the father in His parable, Jesus experienced the ultimate humiliation as He pursued a lost people, loved us, and gave Himself for us. At the heart of our Christian faith is the Father who lavishes His love on sinners and throws a party for prodigals. In the mornings, students spent time alone with the Lord and attended different seminars with their peers. Jean provided the students with morning devotional material that prepared students for his evening messages. The morning seminars covered important topics for the students to engage and consider as they seek to walk with

Christ in high school. Students heard a warning about the dangers of pornography, a message about Christ and culture, an exhortation to do hard things, a testimony from college students about walking with Christ in high school, a word for guys about authentic manhood, and a word for girls about sex and dating. We were swimming in so much rich content that leaders had a world of things to talk about with students during evening cabin times. These were some of the sweetest moments of our trip as students got to speak honestly with one another about who they are and how the Lord is working in their lives. We witnessed students brought to tears as they confessed struggles or pain or sin and incredible joy as they unpacked the glorious truths of the gospel. And we had the best seat in the house as we saw the Lord’s power in each and every story of rescue. A group of seniors caught a vision for serving and reaching out to younger students. Their example set a winsome precedent and helped break down walls between grades and schools. We were so encouraged to see older students mixing with younger students in the dining hall and wondering what the Lord might do if students continue to live for something bigger than themselves. The trip is a massive undertaking, and we’re so grateful for all the prayers and support of the PCPC congregation. And dozens of staff, volunteers, and parents make this trip work every year. Our hope is to know, love, and shepherd the students God brings into our ministry, an impossible task without the many people who invest in this next generation of believers. What an incredible privilege it is to get to share, not just the gospel, but our very lives with these students (1 Thessalonians 2:8). —Robby Higginbottom, Ministry Leader of High School

Caroline Frattaroli, Mary Grace Keith, Adam Roossien, Beau Longino, Annie Neely, Bryson Pogue

Davis Bateman, Yates Bateman, Grace Newman, Bryan Newman, John David Newman

6 • PCPC WITNESS 6 • PCPC WITNESS

Luke McQuilkin, Chad Coop, Austin Buster, Jonathan Dillahunty

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Kaity Johnson, Katie McQuilkin, Gracie McCormack, Michelle Moore, Joy Stimson, speaker Jean Larroux, Emily Wilhite, Haley Morgan, Grace Ballard, Farris Groth

Students savor satisfying su mmer

Barriers fade as friendships grow

On Wednesday summer afternoons, van loads of eager PCPC kids ranging from grade 6 to grade 12 head over to West Dallas to serve at Voice of Hope, a Christian community center and one of PCPC’s Urban Ministries partners. Upon arrival, we typically separate into classrooms or head to the gym to spend time with the kids. Our goal is to show God’s love for them though our own love and willingness to be their friends, if only for a of couple hours each week. It is hard to describe how eager these kids are to interact with us: to play basketball or four square, to read a book, play with our hair, or simply just to talk. It is awesome to see how easily friendships are formed and how barriers are forgotten as we have fun together. Although we are often required to be flexible as plans change, it proves a great opportunity AUGUST2009 2009 AUGUST

to see our Lord’s provision as He reaches out to these kids though us in many different ways. I truly believe God works though this particular ministry as kids from PCPC take time out of their summers to befriend kids in West Dallas and show His love to them. —Anna Heffner, high school student

Above, Pierce Riddick coaches his summer charges. Right, Mary Grace Keith helps a child with her activity sheet.

PCPC PCPCWITNESS WITNESS ••77

The world at our doorstep

ESL lets us love our neighbor and go make disciples simultaneously

Suppose I went into a Sunday school class and asked, “Jesus gave us the Great what?” What would the answer be? ”Commission”? He also gave us the great command to love our neighbor. The two are not at odds; in fact, they go hand in hand. The ministry of teaching English as a second

God’s providence, He has established English as an international language. People from around the globe gather at our doorsteps. We can meet that need and reach them with the gospel through English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.

Left, Lauren Freeman helps a student with classroom work. Below, Barrett Alley assists his ESL friends with some language study.

language offers a great opportunity to obey the Great Commission, to go make disciples in the context of loving your neighbor. When Jesus asked the lawyer “Who is your neighbor?” his answer was the Good Samaritan. As we ask ourselves, “Who is our neighbor?” remember that God has orchestrated who and where they are. And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward Him and find Him. Yet He is actually not far from each one of us (Acts 17:26,27 ESV). Neighborhoods across America are changing because people from around the world are moving here to live, work, or study. Dallas is at the center of this change. Clearly God brings each ESL student here for this specific time. He also knows that many will arrive with a huge need—to learn English. By 8 • PCPC WITNESS

We teachers have the incredible opportunity not only to teach English, but also to share our lives as we tell our stories and develop friendships with our students. We demonstrate the love of Christ as we seek to teach with excellence, treat them with respect, and invest in their lives. The students are very eager to learn English, not only for improving their lives and their families, but also for fellowship. Some of our students walk up to an hour each way just to come to class twice a week. One student told me in a Bible study, ”I’m concerned about

my weight. I could go with my friend to exercise class, but, no, it is important for me to be here and learn.” Put yourself in their shoes for a minute. Imagine going to a parent-teacher conference and not being able to understand what is being said about your child. Imagine your child asking you questions about homework, but you cannot help. Imagine you want to go through the drive-through at a fastfood restaurant, but you can’t understand the menu or the clerk. So how do we serve our students in these challenging times? I’m not always sure how, but I know simply praying and being there are the first steps. This summer I went to my student’s home to practice English with her and some other ladies from her class. When I arrived she was tidying up as usual, but then she proceeded to tell me that the day before her son’s teacher had called to set up a meeting with her and her husband about their son’s need to repeat second grade. As she shared this news with me, tears streamed down her face. Months before she told me her reason for coming to ESL was not only to improve her English but also to help her children with their schoolwork; now she felt like she had failed. During this visit, I listened, prayed, and shared with her. I told her that I would be praying for her family and that I was willing to help them. This was a wonderful reminder to both of us that she is not just my student, but she is my friend. Come share what we take for granted, the English language. Come with a willing heart that has been transformed by the love of Christ. Come share Christ with the nations here on our doorstep. Come share your story and make new friends. As we teach our language, we share our lives—lives marked by the transforming presence of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. —Jessica Young AUGUST 2009

Boot-scootin’ in Tokyo

Fascination with all things Texan draws students to evangelistic event

Standing outside Tokyo Station, where business, culture, and government all converge in one area that comprises the heart of Japan, our team met a quiet middle-aged Japanese man. His name was Rev. Makoto Fukuda, the pastor of the newly planted Grace City Church Tokyo, and he led us on a prayer walk through downtown Tokyo. Our translator, Geert De Boo, also a member of the church planting team in Tokyo, explained that many churches shy away from evangelizing downtown because they say, “It can’t be done. It’s impossible.” Yet Rev. Fukuda said that we must not limit what the Lord can accomplish.

as our famed Texas Nights, karaoke, and tour of Tokyo. Through these events we build on relationships from previous years and meet new students drawn to our Texan aura. Cowboy hats, boots, country line dancing, and lots of homemade Texas chili are quite the attraction for Japanese and missionaries alike. Attendance at PCPC’s Texas Night parties this year brought the largest number of non-Christian students the missionaries have seen in years. We praised the Lord for so many new contacts made through current students bringing their friends to meet us.

In addition to spending time with college students, we helped remodel a church, stretched our muscles moving boxes, played with children, gave testimonies to young professionals and missionary kids, and led praise and worship music. It’s amazing to see how the prayers and support of PCPC members and our family and friends make it possible possible for teams to journey to Japan each year to aid in the spread of the gospel. We hope and pray that the new students we met will connect with the missionaries on staff, and that the students we continue to see each

(l to r) Jeff Williams, Kristen King, Debra Wagner, Cody Burns, Annie Burns, David Lott, Andrew Key

That evening, as we sat in a Tokyo condo eating Japanese curry and Indian bread with a Dutch family, our team came to realize that God is a global God who cannot be limited by man. This vision permeated the remainder of our journey. Ministering to college students has been the backbone of every trip PCPC takes to Japan. The missionaries focus on building friendships with the students and connecting them with other young Japanese Christians through a group called Crossway. They use our team primarily to draw in new students through various events, such AUGUST 2009

year will come During to know our these Attendance at PCPC’s Lord and Savior high-enTexas Night parties this in the Lord’s ergy and year brought the largest perfect time. To exciting number of non-Christian maintain the events, students the missionaries momentum, we have seen in years. we continue hoped to encourage for quiet our Japanese moments friends throughout the year until with the students when they would PCPC can return again. We also have finally ask “What gives you the peace a prayer group that meets at 8:30 am you seem to have?” or “Where do you the first Sunday of each month in the obtain the courage to be a Christian PCPC Parlor to pray for Japan, and we in the workplace?” We had several of welcome you to join us! these quiet moments where we shared —Annie and Cody Burns the gospel with students.

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PCPC WITNESS • 9

Meet the Josephs PCPC sends out home church family Kevin and Ashley Joseph and their four children, Karis (5), Eli (3 1/2), Hudson (2), and Noah (2 months), will be heading to East Asia in just a few short months. We put some questions before the Joseph family to help you get to know them and to prompt you towards regular prayer for them.

plane the next morning at 5:00 am to head out with his new team. That night at his last game in the minor leagues, he pretty much tossed me the ring and asked me to marry him, then took off to pack up for one more move! I sure could not claim that I didn’t know what I was getting into by marrying into the baseball lifestyle after all that it took just to get a ring on my finger (which is a good thing, considering we moved 15 times in our first two years of marriage)!

What draws you to East Asia?

Ashley: Honestly, it was a really long process which kind of had us “pray through the globe” before we settled on East Asia. Over Hometown: Dallas the four years Kevin was in seminary, we Hobbies: baseball tried to get away from baseball, feeling it and reading was part of our past and being ready to Birthday: August move forward. As our attempts to leave 1, 1976 the game behind continually proved to be Most interesting in vain, our prayer changed that the Lord fact about yourmight use Kevin’s background in baseself: Barry Bonds ball if it would allow us entry into a place once threw his of service that would otherwise not be underwear at me! possible. About two years ago, we learned that interest in baseball was growing in ASHLEY East Asia. As we investigated it further, the Hometown: Dallas pieces just all seemed to fall into place, Hobbies: running connections were made that were obviousand changing ly bigger than us (meaning clearly appointdiapers ed by Him!), and our hearts became more Birthday: May 5, burdened for these people as we learned 1978 more about them and their lives (particuMost interestlarly the athletes). The final component in ing fact about The Josephs were commissioned in the PCPC worship service the process was our kids. We really desire yourself: I spent on July 12, 2009. (l to r) Kevin holding Hudson, Karis, Ashley to do ministry as a family, and in the Asian the better part holding Noah, and Eli; Senior Pastor Mark Davis culture family (and children in particular) of three years in are very highly valued, so we foresee ample opportunities prison (but didn’t ever have to spend the night, as I was for not only Kevin and me to serve alongside one another, there ministering to juvenile delinquents.) but for our kids to be involved in what we do as well.

KEVIN

How did you meet?

Ashley: We met through a mutual friend whom I knew from high school and Kevin knew from playing summer baseball here in Dallas. Kevin was in the off-season from professional baseball and I was home for Christmas during my senior year of college. We had both just returned from different short-term mission trips, and our friend thought this was a good point of mutual interest that might lead to something more. He was right! But our engagement was the really funny part. About two and a half years after we’d met, Kevin got permission from my dad to ask me to marry him. That just happened to be when Kevin’s baseball career hit an all-time high on the pandemonium scale! I moved out to live with friends in the city where he was playing, and the day I moved, he was called up to the next highest league—which meant a change in city, and no time for a “proper” proposal. A few weeks later, I bought a plane ticket to visit him in his new city, and the day I arrived, he got a call saying that he had been traded to the St. Louis Cardinals! He had to get on a 10 • PCPC WITNESS

Any thoughts about navigating the transatlantic journey with four kiddos and all you need to take?

Ashley: Lots! The more we’ve learned from others who have gone before about what they do and do not have (things like fitted sheets, kids’ vitamins, and deodorant!), the more we are working to find the balance of what is truly a “necessity” for our family as we undergo the stress of crosscultural living. And no doubt the journey will be interesting! I have been stocking up on airplane craft materials and kids’ movies. And I’ve even purchased little travel pillow and blanket sets for each of the kids in the hopes that they all might sleep at least some of the 24 hours of travel time!

What are you looking forward to the most?

Kevin: The potential of seeing the people of East Asia coming to know Christ through our relationships with them! The thought that athletes there who are living in what most would consider “hopeless situations” might have the hope of knowing Christ as a reality in their lives, giving them something more worth living for. AUGUST 2009

Are your children aware of what’s about to happen? How are they feeling about the move?

Ashley: The older two seem to understand for the most part, but then recently we were driving to a Chinese food restaurant and the kids kept asking if we were in China yet. So maybe they don’t understand as much as I like to think! Seriously though, they seem to be processing in some of the same ways we are—excited about the adventure and knowing that a lot will be new and different, and also grieving over leaving friends and family (and some of their toys!) behind. Karis: I think it’s going to be exciting! I’m excited to go to the zoo. [They have seen pictures of it.] Do they have butterflies there? Oh, and I’m excited about eating their rice... and tasting their kiwi—do they even have kiwi fruit there? Eli (interrupts with): I’m excited to eat new kinds of fruit.  And to sleep in bunk beds. Hudson: Um, ride a neigh-neigh? [His terminology for a horse! And also his favorite subject, besides baseball, that is!]

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as you’ve been preparing for the field?

devastating loss without questioning His goodness or His perfect plan—even though it didn’t make any sense to my human thinking, and the pain was even more real than I had imagined. The greatest miracle of all to me was my continued confidence in His call on our lives to go and serve Him in this place that held so many ties to emotional pain and loss; a confidence that could only come from His grace and by His strength.

In what ways have you seen God work in your lives through this time of transition?

Kevin: He has taught both of us greater dependence on Him, and the need to surrender all areas of our lives to Him. Not having as much to lean on as we do here (things like hospitals that are super-close and high-quality, transportation that is safe and relatively easy to acquire, even food that we enjoy) all make us look to Him to provide and protect, to be our Everything. Ashley: He’s challenged me to greater dependence on Him alone emotionally. I have been blessed with an amazing group of friends who love the Lord and encourage me regularly, but know that communication will be less frequent with them as we move away. He’s been working on me to allow Him to be the one who fills me up emotionally and relationally, and really in every area in which I have needs!

Kevin: Saying goodbye to family and friends, and the What’s been the most interesting part of your trainstress of trying to figure out how to safely maneuver four ing this summer? Any unexpected surprises? little kids around a country where most people only have Kevin: Our month of cross-cultural training was absolutely one! We’ve definitely not had an easy time in realizing how invaluable. We learned so much about how our culture perfar away we will be physically from so many people who meates our thinking and how are so near and dear to us we view everything. It has (and to our kids). The grieving helped us step back and take process has been very much another look at the big picture, a reality for all of us. And the At the same moment that which will hopefully help in challenge of finding an apartI would say I truly ‘surrendered’ to how we relate to and try to ment that would fit our entire communicate with people who family was a bigger one than His call to serve full time overseas... are literally on the other side we’d ever imagined! I immediately was aware of my of the world (in location and in how they think).  Ashley: At the same moment biggest fear—losing a child while on that I would say I truly ”surrenHow can we be praying for dered” to His call to serve fullthe mission field. I thought I could you and your family over time overseas (which was in a never bear the weight of guilt that the next three months? missions class at the seminary Ashley: Sanity! That we 4 1/2 years ago), I immediI would feel if that did happen. But I would be able to balance time ately was aware of my biggest was wrong, and God showed with family and friends with all fear—losing a child while on of the little tasks that need to the mission field. I thought I Himself so faithful! be taken care of (like packing, could never bear the weight —Ashley shipping, and getting rid of of guilt that I would feel if that most of our earthly belongdid happen. But I was wrong, ings!). and God showed Himself so faithful! Last summer when Kevin: For good closure with Kevin and I went to East Asia those we are saying goodbye to, for our preparation as we for two weeks, I miscarried our fourth child at 16 weeks in get ready to make a huge transition—that we would do all my pregnancy. I had to face my worst fear, and through the of this with dependence on Him at the front of our minds, comfort of my heavenly Father and the encouragement of and that we would be anxious in nothing! His body of believers, I was able to walk away from this

“

”

AUGUST 2009

PCPC WITNESS • 11

Introducing Derek and Shaynor, new RUF ministers in Texas University of Texas-Austin and Baylor have new RUF ministers, two of the twelve PCPC supports on campuses in Texas and Oklahoma. On the front lines of ministry to college students, they and their families need our prayers. Please meet Derek and Shaynor:

Derek McCollum

Shaynor Newsome

Roots have a funny way of tracking you down. When we left Austin for seminary in St. Louis, we knew that we might not come back. But the roots the Lord planted for us in Austin have drawn us right back where we started.

I grew up in Dallas and attended Baylor University, where I earned a BS in Biology. I then interned with an inner-city ministry the year after graduation, where I met Heather, a student at Baylor. We were married the next year, and I worked as a residence hall director while Heather finished her BS and MS degrees in economics. During this time I was encouraged in my growing sense of call to The Newsomes ministry by the leadership at the Evangelical Free Church, where we were members. Uncertain what that call really meant, I enrolled in a Greek class at Truett Seminary, Baylor. I was quickly convinced that seminary was the next step, so I enrolled full-time while Heather taught at Baylor. Right away I reconnected with a best friend from Baylor who had just moved back to Waco with her husband to plant Redeemer PCA, a plant of PCPC. Through that friendship we moved into the PCA, and after graduating in 2000, I interned with Redeemer Waco and RUF at Baylor and subsequently was called as the RUF campus minister to New Mexico State University. Having served there for seven years, it is with much excitement that Heather and I return to Waco.

RUF Minister at University of Texas

Though I’m a graduate of Texas State, I began my college career at the University of Texas. In Austin, I met my wife, Joy, where we were part of the first class of RUF at UT, and where we were watered and nourished by that fertile community for 10 years after graduation. Now, after a three-year stint at Covenant Seminary, the Lord has brought us back to Texas, back to Austin, and back to the University we both love. We pray that God would now use us to water and nourish a new student community, just as we were nourished under the care of RUF more than 10 years ago. We’ll focus on some very The McCollums

simple things this coming semester: the amazing story of redemption found in the Bible, the essence of Christian worldview, and the blessings of living in true community. We need your prayers for our new calling, for our family (including our children–Virginia, Hampton, and Anderson), and especially for the Spirit’s work in changing the hearts and lives of students at UT. PCPC is, and always has been, a great supporter of RUF across the state and beyond, and for this we are very thankful. God bless, and Hook‘em Horns! 12 • PCPC WITNESS

RUF Minister at Baylor

We are very excited to be returning to Baylor. We pray our many connections there will be used of God to enable us to minister to students at Baylor. We know the unique pitfalls of over-churched students, and that there are many who live well in a church culture but do not believe the gospel. Please pray that God will work by His grace through RUF to reach the broken, lost, hurting, confused, and self-righteous at Baylor. AUGUST 2009

Lao Presbyterian Fellowship sees new fruit In the last six months, the Lao ministry at PCPC has rejoiced in two people coming to faith in Christ through the witness and testimony of their wives, who were already believers. Let’s worship our Father for His grace to these two men.

The testimony of Touch Khloy

I was born into a Cambodian Buddhist family, and all my family members are believers in Buddhism, I think. They don’t understand what they believe. When I was a young boy, my family lived in a refugee camp in Thailand. We arrived at the refugee camp in 1980. My family was able to immigrate to the United States in 1984. I first heard of the Lord Jesus Christ in the refugee camp. I heard the gospel there, but I did not understand it at that time. It was not until this year that I finally understood the gospel. My wife, Kirstin, was a believer, and she had been encouraging me about being a Christian and becoming a believer in Jesus Christ. She told me about Him every day, and we prayed together some. One day when I was beginning to The Khloys

The testimony of Thanin Phommavong

When I was young, I believed that Buddhism was the way to heaven. My family moved to the United States from a refugee camp in Thailand (I was there 18 years) in 1996. At that time, the Lao ministry came to our house and invited me and my family to church at PCPC. They shared the gospel with me, but I was not interested. Even though they said Jesus Christ was the way to salvation, I did not believe them. My heart was not open to considering His words. I married Souksakhone after we came to the U.S. She became a believer in 2004 when her brother-in-law (King Sribounheuang, LPF Ministry Leader at PCPC) visited the family and shared the gospel with her. When I was single, my life was full of darkness, and I did not see God. When I got married, my life changed a lot. My wife wanted to go to church, so we went every Sunday. I began to enjoy reading the Bible and began to understand Jesus’ teaching on salvation and the forgiveness of sins. As I began to read the Word, I felt fulfillment in my heart. One day I read a passage that said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also...I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:3, 6). And in John 6:35 I read, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst.” A miracle happened in my heart when I read these verses, and I placed my faith in Christ. I thank the Lord for opening my heart and eyes to see God, who saved me and

pray, I asked God to make me understand His words, and I also asked him what I should do with my life. After this, I continued praying daily, and I began to feel my life had changed. I began to read the Bible and finally understood that Christ forgives my sins, and He gave me salvation and peacefulness. Everything in my life has changed, from me being an angry person to now understanding His love and forgiveness. I’m very humbled by this. I now pray daily with my wife and read the Bible with her. I now see God’s will for all of His people who were in darkness like me. I see the light that is shining in my life and know that I am saved. Thank You, God, for opening my eyes, my ears, and my heart to see You and hear Your voice that called me. AUGUST 2009

The Phommavongs

has forgiven my sins. I also thank Him for giving me a precious wife who also knew Him and helped lead me to Him. PCPC WITNESS • 13

“Give thanks to the LORD, for His love endures forever.”

“Change.” The overused word of the year? It is true that we are living in times of great change and uncertainty. The economy, world unrest, political upheavals all come to mind. As a woman in our church, you may be experiencing great personal change as well. Are you new to town or to PCPC with a need for friends? Do you have a new child to care for and are adapting to life as a mother? Have you recently moved into or out of the workforce? Are you caring for suddenly needy parents or a child or spouse who is ill? Are your grown children leaving your nest? Is your once-precious child turning into a challenging teen? Are you widowed and learning to cope with life without your life partner?

—2 Chronicles 20:21

thankful. We can find this refrain in many books in the Bible: Psalm 118, Psalm 136, and 2 Thessalonians 3:5. This is extremely good news! We want this to be the refrain of the women of this church and we eagerly await your joining in.

of mentoring, of encouraging—where you are needed and wanted. Please don’t hold back. Women’s Ministries at PCPC is not a club for a few—it is you!

You should have received the Women’s Ministries brochure for 2009Do you remem2010 outlining ber a few weeks ago when Mark the various Mary Flo Ridley Davis spoke to us Bible studies, about the low percentage of members areas of service, and activities (misThese common life experiences can who financially support the church? sion trips, retreats, luncheon, prayer be overwhelming unless we live in His encouragement to us was to not time) available for you. Please look the reality of the Lord’s never hold back, but to be a church where it over. Contact the women involved changing love. all of the body if you have questions, or go to www. His steadreceives the blesspcpcwomen.org, and know that there fast love that ing of participatis a place that only you can fill, and endures forever ing in the worshipcome. is available to us ful act of giving. through His presI would like to Whatever season of life you find ence, through His make the same yourself to be living, whatever joys or 2009-2010 Word, and in the love ap- peal: full participasorrows are a part of your changing He offers us through His people. This tion from the women of our church world, the women of PCPC want to year the women of PCPC will be livwith each one bringing her God-givjoin with you in living in the light of ing and serving with this in mind: His en gifts, strengths, needs, and stories. His unchanging love. love endures forever…and we will be There is a place—of service, of study, —Mary Flo Ridley Women’s Ministries Moderator

14 • PCPC WITNESS

AUGUST 2009

Art exhibition illustrates the truth and beauty of Christ Parables of the sower of the seeds, the good Samaritan, and the prodigal son provide themes

PCPC’s 2009 Arts Festival season was filled with splendid blessings and treasures for the community to enjoy beginning with a tremendously encouraging presentation by former National Endowment of the Arts Chairman Dana Gioia on January 29. An internationally acclaimed poet, Gioia laid out the season’s themes in such an articulate way that one of the attendees commented he was “truly opened to the idea that the arts could not only unite the church in some ways, but also might unite the denominations in Christ’s gospel truth.”

Fujimura delivered a challenging presentation to the crowd based on the three themes of the festival: 1) Pursue stewardship of the culture rather than culture wars. He presented his concept through the parable of the sower and the seeds and the need to prepare one’s own heart correctly. 2) Pursue generosity in art—generosity actually springs from the arts. He illustrated this point with the parable of the good Samaritan and developed the sanctifying aspect of grace. 3) Grace is given through the arts. Using the parable of the prodigal son, Fujimura emphasized the necessity of giving beauty as a gift with no expectation of return. Yet Speaking of Christ’s universal concepts in His parables, in the end, we are the artwork. Because we are Christians, Gioia pointed out that some truths are so dark and terFujimura charged the artists to tap into their talents and rible that they need the pleasure of artistry to be willingly be a gift to their neighbors. The crowd that evening was received and unenergized with derstood. “Think of enthusiasm! David Gappa, SEED OF FAITH—glass sculpture—Theme ONE Winner King Lear,” commented Dana Gioia. The festival The elegant evening begins at Arlington Hall During the first was a wonderful week of April, success with Protesguest jurors Matant, Catholic, Muskoto Fujimura and lim, and non-ChrisPatricia Meadows tian artists attending selected 100 works from all across the of art to hang in community. the show from over 200 pieces On March 31, Madelivered. From koto Fujimura spoke those pieces, the to 300 registered jurors first chose artists and patrons their favorite in at Oak Lawn West. each of the three Judy Franklin, THE SAMARITAN’S GIFTS—mosaic sculpture—Theme TWO Winner The artist brought a themes. These small painting that three gold ribbon consisted of about winners each won thirty layers of pig$1,000. From the ments made from remaining 100, precious minerals the jurors chose such as azurite and thirty blue ribbon malachite—over and winners with no over each other, all regard to theme. underneath gold PCPC member Liz leaf with a tradiJoe was selected tional sumi-e ink tree by the almost 2,000 painted on top. It visitors to the was dazzling and exhibition as the unique. It was easy viewers’ favorite. to understand why Her quilt entitled he was chosen as the NEA Chairman’s Medal Winner for “Bail Out” was a hand-stitched maze that followed the 2008 and World magazine’s Daniel Award. Fujimura agreed experiences of the Prodigal Son in vibrant textiles with to be PCPC’s 2009 Arts Festival’s guest juror along with the exquisite workmanship of thread-painted faces that local juror Patricia Meadows. The two art professionals captured emotions. Mrs. Joe’s eight months of hard work proved to be well suited and hit it off from the moment resulted in a $1,000 award and many pats on the back. they were introduced. continued on last page AUGUST 2009

PCPC WITNESS • 15

Arts Festival continued from p. 15 Theme One winner David Gappa (non-PCPC member), wrote to PCPC following the exhibit, “Pete, Lawan, and the entire PCPC staff, I just wanted to take this time to express my deepest gratitude for what you and your organization are doing. You have succeeded in fostering an environment for artists to engage themselves aesthetically within their faith. You have provided an outlet for artisans to tap into the true origins of where our talents began, and allowed us a venue with which to focus our imagery. Focus is the key word here. All too often, ‘artists’ generate images and/or sculptures that seek out impacts inspired by anger, hate, anguish, lust, etc. Artisans, over the past several decades, have had a disconnect with drawing inspiration from the Creator Himself. As far as I am concerned, the true and only catalyst for who I am and what I create can only be harvested from our Creator Himself. My involvement with the PCPC exhibitions has helped guide me toward finding my voice as an artist, and for this, I am truly grateful.” After being the jurors’ choice as the Theme Two winner, Judy Franklin, a PCPC member, was the topic of a column written by her art teacher at the Creative Arts Center, Katrina Doran, in the Texas Visual Artists newsletter. She said in part: ”Truth and Beauty, as it is revealed in nature and the Bible are what inspire Judy Franklin. Her travels to Italy, Israel, Japan and Spain have had an impact on her creative self-expression. Judy describes herself as a wife, mom, grandmom, artist, musician, and follower of Jesus Christ... I asked Judy Franklin what she would say to others about entering art shows, and she responded by saying, ‘By all means do it. I was thrilled just to be accepted. Winning was a real surprise and wonderful affirmation. My friends and family have been excited for me and give me lots of encouragement.’” Theme Three winner Ruth Eshbaugh says of ”The Embrace”: ”The figures form a triangle as the two embrace. The Trinity is pictured; the Father, the Son and the relationship between the two depicted as an embrace representing the Spirit of God.” 16 • PCPC WITNESS

AUGUST 2009 • Vol. XX, No. 3 Park Cities Presbyterian Church 4124 Oak Lawn Dallas, Texas 75219

Periodical Postage Paid at Dallas, Texas

www.pcpc.org

time to mature. But with continued Ruth’s work depicts the return of her prayer, God’s grace, and a lot of work, own prodigal son. She says, ”I am very we will see a vibrant Dallas Christian grateful to Jesus, who never left my side artistic presence emerge that will help and reminded me that He called me... He revitalize our culture. But in order for has been at work. He was there when I this artistic could only Ruth Eshbaugh, THE EMBRACE renewal to roll up in mixed media—Theme TRHEE Winner occur in a ball and the local cry in bed. church, He did not we need leave me talented, there. He wellis faithful trained and good. artists who My next are comart piece mitted to is about using their being raised gifts for up from the glory depression of God into joy and and an fulfillment. audience It is about that both worship. understands art’s vital role in the church and is willing to support the ”What I saw after my name was called artists in their work. Next spring we in a church full of people [as a winner] will focus on Christian art in its true was me in the fetal position having been sense; how it should glorify God and stricken over and over and knowing that communicate truth, goodness, and Jesus brought me to that place that night. beauty to extending the transforming Now that is art. presence of the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. ”It wasn’t enough that I won the award, my art was used in worship at my church Francis Schaeffer wrote in his classic, and at Park Cities. I think He just wanted Art and the Bible, “The first sentence to drive home the point. I was honored, in the Bible is the declaration that the deeply honored, and I want to say, ‘thank Creator created: ‘In the beginning God you, Lord.’” created the heavens and the earth…thereLooking ahead fore, the first reason that creativity has At three years old, the festival is still value is that God is the Creator.” young, and the fruits may take some —Lawan Andersen AUGUST 2009