WITNESS: May 1, 2008 by Park Cities Presbyterian Church

Presbyterian Church in America

pcpc

Vol. XIX, No. 2 • Park Cities Presbyterian Church • MAY 2008

"But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our potter; we are all the work of Your hand." —Isaiah 64:8

Our versatile organ stars in the show

20+ Community works and plays

Women break in to joy of service

Ever think of yourself as homeless? 10 Arts Fest celebrates gospel in creation 12 High schoolers work in Ninth Ward 13. New youth pastor has clear vision

Doing justice and loving kindness

Missions conference goes deep 17 Exploring new fields for mission outreach 18 Ten years of planting in the Southwest 20

PCPC’s delegation to the North Texas Presbytery meeting on April 5 is all smiles after Mark Davis was approved as our our new senior pastor. The congregation’s vote of approval took place on March 30. Above, first row: Tommy Bain, Tim Jeffress, David Gowdey, John Vanderveld, Mark Davis, Jim Chenoweth, David Newman, John Hawkins; second row: Rob Allen, David Franklin, Tim Tinsley, Brad Bradley, Kent Johnson; third row: Pat Moore, Jack Denman, Bill Lamberth, Harry Hargrave, John Bateman

Mark Davis Heeds the Call

On Sunday, May 11, the orderly PCA process for choosing a new senior pastor will be completed, and the Reverend Mark Alan Davis will be installed as the new senior pastor of PCPC. Once the Pulpit Search Committee (PSC) announced its recommendation of Mark in late February, it was im-

portant that all members of PCPC have the opportunity to get to know Mark and his wife, Kristina, better. A Town Hall Meeting was held on March 9 for that purpose. Following are some transcribed quotations from that evening. They have been edited for brevity. The entire audio can be found at www. pcpc.org.

BOOTS NOWLIN (PSC CHAIRMAN) ON MARK DAVIS Mark Davis is a deeply spiritual man. He’s a lover of Jesus Christ. He’s got natural leadership abilities. He’s a very strategic thinker, and he has boldness in leaning against the culture that we live in. He knows our church: our strengths, our weaknesses, and what our continued on page 2

needs are. He knows this better than anybody we could have ever brought in from the outside. He’s got incredible relational giftedness. He has tremendous affirmation from those who know him best. GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER Mark: Our stories are different here— and I want you to remember, I’m the one who’s ordained... Over time, my prayers were effective, and she broke up with her boyfriend... By the way, I had a mullet and drove a Z28... I invited her to our employee Christmas party... I had a full beard, and I dressed up like a cowboy every day. Kristina: My parents were frightened.

Each time these men said, “Stop. You don’t need to be doing that.” I realized that all those years I was working like that, I didn’t really believe in a sovereign God. I felt like it was up to me. I decided that I had to work a 50-hour week. One question a man asked was, “Mark, could you work 10 more hours?” I said, “Definitely!” He said, “God doesn’t expect you to sacrifice your family to work an extra 10 or 20 hours.” And I was really blessed by that encouragement. We learned that if you set good boundaries in place, people respect that.

Mark: They were, and they still are!

MARK ON: Maintaining balance in work and marriage When I was young in ministry, I was just attracted to older men who had gone before me and had a lot of wisdom. We got married, and I thought I had to be out every night. Kristina said, “I think you need to seek counsel on that.”

2 • PCPC WITNESS

kind of almost like an out-of-body experience: Wow, you’re so negative. And I’m not like that normally. What’s going on? And so I began to pray as I was walking through Jonah. And I didn’t hear an audible voice of the Lord, but as He was leading me through this book it was as if I heard Him say, “Mark, do you think I can change the people in Dallas? If I can change the city of Nineveh, bring all of them to repentance, can’t I change them?”

Coming to Dallas When I first got here I was overwhelmed. What made me angry wasn’t the wealth; it was the Christianity that was mixed in with the wealth. I was very confused, very frustrated. I went away to speak at a camp on Lookout Mountain in Tennessee. I remember hearing myself as I talked to my peers. I was lamenting you, this community, this church. Really lamenting it. And I heard myself,

My response back to God was, “Yes, but why would you want to?” Now, that’s funny, but I meant it. I was really stuck. One of my dearest friends said, “Mark, you either need to repent of that, or you need to resign. Because you do not love this people.” He was right. I remember God just breaking my heart, showing me the darkness of that kind of hatred and anger and lack of hope. And as he did it, he exploded in me an expectation and hope of what God might do. I came back a different person. So much so I would say—and I mean this with humility—I don’t know another person who has more hope for this community and this city than I do. God did a work in me that took away a real wickedness, a real darkness, a lack of hope, and filled me with an expectation and a hope that’s been absolutely beautiful. Reformed theology The Reformed faith is the best system of doctrine known to man. It just is—because it’s so centered on the sovereignty of God, His Word. I don’t want to serve anywhere else. His vision for PCPC About a year and a half ago [Robert Lewis] came and visited with the Session and talked about an amazing picture of the church being an aircraft carrier which is launching missions into the world. It’s so easy MAY 2008

for a church to forget that they’re to be missional, that they’re to be going. It’s so easy for a church to become more like a cruise ship than an aircraft carrier. The most dangerous thing about a church like ours is that we could be a cruise ship, but we’re wise enough to know that’s wrong.

scrub this thing and think about really where we’re going. What are we seeking to accomplish? My heart is to keep us focused on the Great Commission—who God has called us to be, what He has called us to do.

Conflicts within churches I don’t believe any specific thing that splits I say that because I think it’s easy for churches is usually the real reason. me as a person to get there, too—to Music or worship style is one exwake up each day and to move forample. What splits churches—alward with my work and to forget that ways—is a lack of love and a lack of this is about a war, and that God has humility. It’s when pockets swell up called His people within a church as ambassadors to where individuproclaim the only als say, “I’m will“My favorite thing hope for the world. ing to die for this to do in my job, Remember that. Jeside.” outside of praying sus Christ is the only hope for the If it’s not a biband being still, world. So as I think lical mandate, is to be in the pulpit. about where this then it becomes I love it. I am energized, church might go, I simply a preferexcited. I wake up early just go to scripture. ence. And these God is calling us to preferences beon Sunday mornings, bring Him glory in come so dear that and I just can’t wait.” the way we seek to sometimes we make disciples. fail to see even Christ. Take for How do we know if we’re making example, contemporary music verdisciples? The prooftext to me is John sus hymnody. You can’t base either 15. “It is to My Father’s glory that you bear of those sides on a biblical mandate. much fruit and so prove to be My disciples.” You have to come together towards So how do you know you’re a disciple? the middle with love and humility. It You’re bearing much fruit. So how do doesn’t mean you need to start singyou know if people are bearing much ing certain songs or whatever, but fruit? Simple attendance doesn’t tell you have to have love and humility. us whether they’re bearing much fruit. We need to know our people. The elPCPC’s strengths I think missions, ders need to know our people. We as in terms of church planting, and the people need to know one another. So missions that we’re doing around we have got to put a strategy in place the world is probably the greatest that will help enable that to happen. strength. I am proud of that. It’s great And that’s going to take a lot of effort to be a part of a church that’s put that and a lot of energy. much emphasis with the 2020 vision. It’s incredible. People ask, “Are you going to turn the ship in a new direction?” I prefer PCPC’s weaknesses People often to think of us as coming in for a little will comment to me, “I just don’t time of drydocking. Let’s just kind of know people. It’s hard to come in.” MAY 2008

That’s how a lot of people feel. We’ve got a lot of work to do there in terms of being the body and thinking carefully about, “How do we knock down those walls and truly love one another?” As a body, I’m not sure we’re going that deep with each other. We live in a community where on the outside it all looks good, it all looks right, but deep down there could be a world of hurt and a world of sin that nobody knows about. We need to be more honest. His plans for preaching Sermons require so much. And when you’re done, you’re wiped out. Not because you stood up for four hours delivering three different messages, but because you’ve been used by God as a vessel to communicate the truth. And it’s wonderful. I expect to have a significant amount of time in terms of being quiet and still. On my job description the very first component will say prayer, study, and vision. I hope that that’s around 25 hours a week. The pulpit will also be something that is probably split a little bit more than it has been in the past. That doesn’t mean it’s going to be 50/50. I will be the primary preacher. And I’m looking forward to knowing, as I look out on the congregation, that brothers and sisters are praying. You’re not just consumers. You’re praying for me and for the Holy Spirit to do a work that day in the life of every person that’s there. I am very excited about that. My favorite thing to do in my job, outside of praying and being still, is to be in the pulpit. I love it. I am energized, excited. I wake up early on Sunday mornings, and I just can’t wait. Leaning against the culture I think to lean against the culture, two things have to happen. One, you have to have continued on page 4 PCPC WITNESS • 3

Mark Davis

continued from page 3

a very secure identity in Jesus Christ. You have to understand that the most significant relationship in your life is that you are a beloved child of God. Therefore, you have to be more afraid of God than you would be of other people. You have to be so secure in your relationship with Christ that you’re not going to compromise. I would be a liar if I said I do that all the time and I do that well and I like doing that. I don’t. Second: you have to understand what the Word of God says about how we’re to live. Romans 12: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” God’s will is always good, pleasing, and perfect. The world is going to lie. Picture a circle, and inside the circle is where Christians live. The world outside the circle has been lied to, but they believe it’s the truth. Romans 1: “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised.” Picture a cross at the very center of the circle. The greatest aspect of abiding in Christ is when you’re in the center of that circle. I believe that most Christians live close to the edge of the world without actually being in the world. Christians have been given the truth, but we believe it’s a lie. You have to believe that God’s will, it’s always good, it’s always pleasing, it’s always perfect. Then you move towards the center of the circle. That doesn’t mean that we create holy huddles. When you move toward the center of that circle, and are so captivated 4 • PCPC WITNESS

by the gospel, and the wonder of that work and the security that you have and your identity in Christ, guess what? You can’t stand that the world has been lied to. You hate that they’re going after a dream that leads towards destruction. So what do you do? You go into the world as ambassadors... knowing that all you have to offer is Jesus Christ. You’re compelled because of what He’s done, what you’ve seen. You believe that at the center abiding in Christ is where it’s the richest.

ing me to something that’s so great that I should sacrifice my family and my children. Our worship and music I must confess I have become a worship snob at PCPC. I love our worship. I think it’s absolutely beautiful. I think many churches are so concerned with growth and the next generation being attracted to their church, that they’re willing to try almost anything.

A church needs its distinctives, [but they] can become preferences, and they can become something that we begin to idolize. That’s not healthy. God will call us to repent from that. But we need to have our distinctives. This is “...The most who we are, this significant relationship is what we’re going to do rein your life is ally well. That that you are a needs to be led beloved child of God. by our Session.

Now how do we do that practically? In Sunday School classes, from the pulpit, in small groups, we need to ask each other, “How close to the edge are we living? Are we moving toward the center?” Just so everyone is clear on that, we all need to repent. Every one of us. And that should bring us joy. It should be sad and hard, but that’s the pruning that God is doing to bear fruit in our lives as we abide in Him.

Therefore, you have to be more afraid of God than you would be of other people.”

Boots said I know how to say no with a smile. It’s something I’ve had to learn to do. And everyone respects that.

I think what we do on Sunday morning is distinctive. I think it’s what we will continue to do. Whether we change it at times—I certainly don’t envision a dry dock experience there where suddenly it’s like, “You know, we bought a really expensive organ, but I found someone on eBay who wants to buy it now, so we’re gonna, you know, sell it and use that money to put in some really amazing lighting and a disco ball.” That’s not in any way my vision.

I want everybody to hear me say this: I will say no to you. I love Jesus the most, by His grace, I love [Kristina] and my children second, and that’s the way it should be. I do not believe God’s call-

We need to be saying, “Lord, what are you calling us to as a body, this particular body, this particular expression of your body?” And I believe the Lord will reveal that to us. ?

Protecting his family I’m not going work more hours in a given week. It’s not like I’ve been lazy in the last five years. The hours are just going to be different. In fact, I’m going to need more time alone.

MAY 2008

On Wednesday morning, February 20, more than 500 students, teachers, and parents crowded into PCPC’s Sanctuary to experience an entertaining introduction to the pipe organ. This first-ever “field trip” offered by our Music and Arts Ministry featured PCPC organists J. Marty Cope and Colin Howland in everything from “Star Wars” to “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” The keynote piece was a presentation of Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf.” The message for the morning was that the organ was made for the glory of God, even though it can be found in many places doing many different kinds of things. Colin challenged the students to think about how their lives are going to glorify God wherever they go. The program was repeated Wednesday night for the PCPC community and the general public. It was a delight to see many grandparents sitting with their grandchildren, following along with their own picture books of “Peter and the Wolf.”

Colin received many delightful thank-you notes from the students who came from Providence, Covenant, and West Dallas Community School. They used descriptions like “Awesome!” “A thrill!” “Amazing!” Many said a favorite part was when Colin hit the organ with a big hammer when it wouldn’t stop playing by itself. One girl asked Colin, “By the way, did you know that you look good with blue hair?” (worn with one of his many costumes). Perhaps the best comment was, “Iregular (sic)...but AWSOME (sic)!”

Johann Sebastian Bach aka Colin Howland

“Peter and the Wolf” narrator Bill Guthrie

Mark Jaudes and grandson Cole Greenfield

MAY MAY2008 2008

Sibling duo Frances and J. Marty Cope

PCPC WITNESS PCPC WITNESS • 5• 5

Learning the art of making wise and holy choices (fIs this one of them?)

“D

iscernment is the skill of understanding and applying God’s Word with the purpose of separating truth from error and right from wrong.” —Tim Challies, The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment

All the ingredients for a good time were in place for us this first weekend of April. Warm weather, wise and thoughtful teaching, a conference center where every meal was served with a heaping side of cream

A quote like this one set the tone for the weekend as the 20+ Community left the hectic pace of Dallas life behind for a few days of spiritual reflection and building community in the woods of the Mt. Lebanon Baptist Encampment in Cedar Hill.

Top, Jahaziel Cantu tests the zip line. Inset, even Patrick gets time to reflect. Above, (l to r) Julia Londis, Ulyssia Dennis, and Abraham Denn play a get-to-know-you game. Left, Elliott Greene, fresh out of two ankle casts, teaches wisdom from the Word.

gravy, and 32 young adults eager for the time away from jobs or studies to bond with friends. The keynote speaker, Elliott Greene, shared his many years of wisdom and insight as pastor, professor, and family man. 6 • PCPC WITNESS

Seeing things as God sees them Discernment is a very important issue for many young adults as we are beginning to face the tougher decisions in life. Decisions about careers, spouses, and where to live are just a few of the questions we face, often feeling overwhelmed with the magnitude of these decisions that will affect the rest of our lives. At the retreat, Elliott shared transparently from his own life and opened the scriptures with us as he led us down the path to right thinking about the decisions ahead. Multiple times he reminded us that this life will never be trouble-free and that God is more interested in our growth in wisdom and love toward Him and others than in our comfort. Learning to be more discerning will lead us through trials.

“When we practice discernment,” Elliot said, “we are applying the truths of the Bible to our lives. We are attempting to understand the words of the Bible and trusting God’s Word to give clarity so we might see things as God sees MAY 2008

20+ Community

Supper Club serves up compassion The first thing you notice about the Revlon House is the crumbling neighborhood. The barred windows and doors on each corner. The large security gate and steep metal steps that lead to the worn community dining area. The sterile medical station located in the corner. But when you leave, the only thing you notice is the incredible fellowship and dedication of your brothers and sisters in Christ and the amazing resiliency of those you’ve served. Every first Monday of the month, the 20+ Community is blessed with the opportunity to provide dinner for the residents of the Revlon House, a housing community for those afflicted with HIV and AIDS and their families. We meet to plan the meals and music, then buy, prepare and serve the food to the residents, sitting and talking with them while they eat. Recently, we also started hosting a bingo game before dinner in an effort to get to know the regulars better and bring in those who would not normally come, and that has been a great success.

Each visit presents the opportunity to grow closer to some familiar faces and introduce ourselves to new ones. From every age and every background, each person we meet has something in common: incredible strength, kindness, and gratitude for the smallest things despite the many health and financial challenges they face.

them. Our goal in discernment is to do in a deeper understanding of what it just this: to see things through God’s means to have wisdom. eyes through the Bible and to see things as they really are… There is no There was time for fun as we relaxed quick recipe that can be applied here. together that sunny April weekend. None of the ‘5 steps to…’ will ultimately Saturday afternoon we faced our fears teach us wisdom. Discernment is not “Young adults in their salad days are deeply needful a matter of pragof one thing they sadly find elusive: discernment, matic solutions; it’s a matter of our the art of making wise and holy choices.” heart, our relation—Patrick Lafferty ship with God.” At the conclusion of our four sessions with Elliott, he challenged the entire group to read through Proverbs, one chapter a day, every month for the rest of the year. He strongly emphasized the need for young adults to seek wisdom from scripture and suggested that a familiarity with Proverbs would aid us MAY 2008

as we strapped into a harness and stepped off the platform at the top of a 50’ tower onto a zip line. There were screams of terror from some of the girls, while the guys tried out the security of the harness by doing flips that would rival some of Spider Man’s best stunts. Less daring souls stuck close to the

Above, (l to r) Bethany Foemmel, Erika McIntyre, Abby McCloy, David Lott, Melanie Simmer, Courtney Morris Left, Courtney Morris displays the raw materials for the meal to come.

Our goal each month is to share God’s message through compassion and charity, but every month, it is the residents of the Revlon House who share God’s message with us. —Courtney Morris

lodge to play a few word games such as “Apples to Apples” and “Taboo.” Sunday morning we worshiped together. Patrick Lafferty led the the service, and Elliott took the floor again for a sermon on John 14. The weekend ended too quickly. We said our goodbyes, packed our cars, and drove back to Dallas praying for resolve to put into practice what we learned at the retreat. Many of us will continue to reflect on the lessons learned from scripture and draw from the wisdom of Proverbs in the days and years ahead. Perhaps the next time a big decision presents itself, we will feel better equipped to handle the outcome as we address it from the standpoint of our growing relationship with our loving Creator. —Marzena Dunham & Bonnie Mitchell PCPC WITNESS • 7

Over three years ago, the Women’s Ministry team decided that in lieu of an annual retreat, the women of PCPC would go to West Dallas to serve others and develop closer relationships within the body and with our ministry partners (West Dallas Community Church, West Dallas Community School, Dallas Pregnancy Resource Center, Mercy Street, Edison Middle School, and Voice of Hope.) Our favorite aspect of a service retreat is having the opportunity to put into practice what we are learning about God through His Word in our worship services, Sunday schools, and Bible studies. On a Friday night in late February, our retreat, “Beyond Ourselves,” began at Oak Lawn West with a call to action from our own Julian Russell. His son, Andrew, led the worshipful music, and some second graders from West Dallas Community School recited Psalm 139 for us. The evening was filled with fellowship, education about West Dallas, good food, and convicting words of truth from God’s Word.

A group of women that is not able to come to our event each year participates through making gift bags for the teachers of the DISD schools in West Dallas. The first few years, we made gift bags for the teachers of three schools. This year, we were able to make a bag for each teacher in six DISD schools plus West Dallas Community School. For these teachers, encouragement is something they so rarely receive that many are brought to tears when they are presented with the bags. This year, the teachers at Pinkston were particularly moved; they had received news shortly before our retreat that many teachers would be fired due to poor test results. 1 Peter 4:11 goes on to say, “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God

Going beyond

Saturday morning we gathered at Mercy Street and split into our various work groups according to the women’s choices on their registration forms. They might be assigned to clean, organize, paint, garden, prayer walk, evangelize, make crafts, decorate, or create gift bags. 1 Peter 4:10 tells us that “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” As the women used their gifts, God’s providence was revealed in the relationships that He was beginning or deepening that day.

Top, Carri Case Middle, Sally Spaniolo Above, Carrye Allen 8 • PCPC WITNESS

One woman stated that as a charter member of the church she was shocked to enter the room of over 100 women and not know anyone on her team. By the end of the day, she had new friends that she had really gotten to know. We had new members for whom this was their first event with Women’s Ministries or the church, for that matter, who not only bravely signed up to come all weekend without knowing a soul, but also reached out and brought friends, and contributed plants and artwork to use for decoration. They also have signed up to become mentors at the schools after seeing what the ministries are doing.

No retrea

may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.” During our day of work, we had a group of prayer walkers encircle the community. Annie Roberson led the women in praying the very words of God. They encountered various people along the way and were able to encourage many people, even a young girl celebrating her birthday that very day. At Mercy Street, we had a group of serious gardeners cleaning out the flower beds, moving plants, and planting new color to brighten the front entrance. One of the women had brought her rototiller, only to find out that each of them had some form of injury that prevented them from operating it. God provided strength, just as He promises, through a man named Glen. Glen had read Rod Dreher’s article about Mercy Street in the Dallas Morning News just two weeks earlier and was so moved by what the ministry was doing that he decided on this very Saturday to come down and see what was going on. Well, these women did not let him get by MAY 2008

them, and shortly after his arrival, Glen was operating a rototiller. He stayed all day helping them complete the beds. At the end of the day, Glen confessed that he had never done any gardening. He attends another church in the city but said that he would like

themselves—again

ting for PCPC women

to worship with us at PCPC and work with us again. The Lord provided the strength we needed—physical strength in this case—but He also gave us a beautiful picture of the unity of the body through our new friend. Another way the Lord showed us unity of the body was at West Dallas Community School. At lunchtime, the women at the school were not even halfway finished with their jobs and felt there was no way they could complete their work that day. However, with the help of others who had finished their jobs at other locations, they were able to accomplish all of the work that the administrators and teachers had given them. Many saw God’s hand bringing together just the right people with the best skills to accomplish the job. We had a team of women delivering Bibles and necessities such as food to elderly people and very poor people in the community. They were shown how God is caring for these children of His through these ministries and how elated they were when they saw the van from Voice of Hope. MAY 2008

So what is next after this encouraging day in West Dallas? The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. The Lord has led many and is continuing to work in the hearts of the women who participated in Beyond Ourselves. One mother of young children enjoyed learning about West Dallas Community School (WDCS) so much that she signed up immediately to volunteer once a week when she has childcare help at home. The Lord convicted her that she has no excuses, and the best use of her time while she is not with her own children is to help these children at the WDCS instead of shopping or doing whatever else she might be tempted to do with “me” time.

Top, the prayer-walkers Middle left, Barbara Gillis MIddle center, Elaine Lewis MIddle right, Martha Ready and Ready Bateman Below, Reid Renwick Bottom, Andrew Russell

Contact Urban Ministries and discover how God could use your talents in West Dallas and the other ministries PCPC supports. And please pray right now for these ministries and the people who work at them. Their days are long and difficult, filled with many ups and downs that are common in the lives of those living in West Dallas, and yet the Lord is doing amazing things through them. Come, get involved, and you will be blessed beyond belief! —Christy Gehlbach PCPC WITNESS • 9

Union Gospel Mission

Homeless people have so much in common

John and Trulah Monroe (left on middle row) delivered gifts on Christmas Day to the Disciples at Calvert Place. These gifts were purchased with the gift cards given by PCPC members through the Christmas Gift Tree.

I had been the ministry coordinator for PCPC at Union Gospel Mission’s Men’s Shelter (Calvert Place) for years. Various members from PCPC had come to play the piano at our Thursday morning devotional time with the Discipleship men to give Bill Thompson, the Executive Director of UGM, a break. For a season, Mary Paul and Gene Ford had both been a blessing to the Thursday morning time we had together. When Gene began to have physical problems and eventually could no longer play the piano, I began to pray for someone to come to play for the men. The Lord sent John Monroe.

John came to play the piano on a weekly basis, but the homeless people he came to know became a part of him. The Lord has used their lives and testimonies to teach John a lot about himself and to change his heart. 10 • PCPC WITNESS

John has been serving the Lord at the men’s mission now for about two years, but his heart is so connected with all homeless people that he now provides music at the men’s shelter and women’s shelter seven times a month! One of those nights I lead the chapel service at the Center of Hope, and he comes with me to provide the music. He also provides music one night a month while his wife, Trulah, leads chapel service at Center of Hope. He additionally helps her in the library there on a regular basis. Many PCPC members seem to be hesitant to get involved in a homeless shelter. I certainly felt that way at one time in my life. But what John and I have both learned is that there is a parallel between the lives of homeless people and ours. Homeless people have so much in common with us! John has summarized in seven points what the Lord MAY 2008

with us!

has shown him in the few years he has been involved with homeless people. n

We both were homeless.

The people at the mission were physically homeless before they came. But John was homeless spiritually before the Lord called him to Himself—as were we all. Imagine how you would feel if you were physically homeless: fearful, with nowhere to go for help, hungry, no direction (like a lost sheep without a shepherd), depressed, without hope. John looks back on his life and sees that he had the very same feelings before he committed his life to the Lord and submitted to Him. n

We both struggle with

besetting sin.

The homeless men and women struggle with temptation that constantly attacks them. Theirs might be a drug addiction, or promiscuousness. But John and I both realize we struggle with recurring sin, too. It might not seem as serious to human eyes, but it is equally serious in God’s eyes. n We both need regular feeding and rest.

After living on the streets for long periods of time, homeless people are worn out. Exhausted and hungry, they come in for food and rest. But how like them we are! We need our spiritual feeding from God’s Word. We cannot live without it. And, oh, how burned out we can get, even in Christian ministry. We both need our food and rest. n We both have been blessed with God’s saving grace.

We know what the Lord has done in our individual lives, but the testimonies of these men and women magnify so eloquently His saving grace. Truly God has saved each of MAY 2008

us from death—a death we all deserve. Many of the men and women we help have been incarcerated at one time or another in their lives. You may think they deserve death more than you, but we all deserve it equally. n We both reach out to God in the winter.

John said he began thinking about this when one of the chaplains told him he never worries about the low numbers in people coming into the shelters in the summer, because they will always be back in the winter. As John thought about this, he thought about his own life and how he truly hit bottom and grabbed onto the Lord in the winter of his life. n God lovingly provides to both of us food, rest, discipline,

and laws for living.

Through the Union Gospel Mission and Center of Hope, God is providing not only food and rest, but requiring obedience to the laws of the shelter so that previously homeless people can live together. Many of them grew up in families that had no rules; then they lived on the streets where nothing was expected of them. God is providing in-depth Bible study for the men and women. He has also provided staff and volunteers to encourage them in their faith and help them to see the importance of living in a way pleasing to God. John sees the parallel again that in the same way, He provides food and rest for us, but He also requires obedience of us. n We both experience exhilaration at evidences of God’s

love.

It is truly exhilarating to hear the testimonies of these men and women, and even children, of the evidences of God’s love in their lives. We share our praises and they share theirs, and they are not really that far apart. It is truly exhilarating to see how God is working in all of our lives. God’s timing is always perfect. This past summer as I was praying about making a change from the men’s mission to the women’s and children’s, God was teaching all these truths to John and giving him more and more of a heart for the homeless men. In the Fall, I became PCPC’s Ministry Coordinator for the Center of Hope and John became the Ministry Coordinator of Calvert, the men’s mission. Want to take a step of faith and leave your comfort zone? Come and be greatly blessed! To serve at the men’s mission, call John Monroe, 972-743-8819. If you are called to the women’s and children’s mission, call me, 214-522-8659. —Diane Steele PCPC WITNESS • 11

Arts Festival recognizes the calling of the artist

rtists have a unique calling in our society which, at its soul, is no different than the calling of teachers, preachers, or evangelists as they contribute their God-given talents to the Kingdom of God. Art can evangelize, teach, and even preach, clearly and winsomely as it presents the gospel, shows the beauty and truth of grace, models the creativity of God, and edifies the life of believers. Creation itself is found in the opening verses of God’s Word, and the scriptures have spoken specifically to the call of artists since the time of Moses: “The Lord said to Moses, ‘See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri... and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab...And

Ribbon Winners that decorated the library space of the newly opened Gables Villa Rosa in Uptown. The show held its preview evening on Friday, April 4, to a crowd of about 300 people who toured the collection after announcements of the winning pieces. Every artist received a copy of Art for God’s Sake: A Call to Recover the Arts, by Dr. Philip Graham Ryken from Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. The artists and patrons were also able to meet jurors Patricia Meadows and Dr. Ted Pillsbury. A dozen art pieces were sold within the opening hour of the exhibition. All proceeds after costs are met for the show will be given to Mercy Street and West Dallas Community School. (Several artists volunteered to give an additional percentage of their sales as well.) On opening day, April 5, over 300 more guests toured the show, and five more art pieces were sold. The Arts Festival was off to a delightful start! Dance and drama added On Tuesday and Saturday during the festival, a drama created and performed by Arthur Morton (former PCPC intern), danced by Jennifer Mabus, and conducted musically by Brian Piper, was received with overwhelming applause. One visitor called it was “Broadway-worthy.” “A huge amount of gratitude goes to our artists and their friends and family who support them on a daily basis in this difficult calling,” commented Pete Deison, founder of the Arts Festival. He also thanked the patrons who generously underwrote the event and the committed team of volunteer artists and PCPC

Best of Theme Winners: Above, Theme One: “Cosmos” by Susan Scott (pictured) Top, Theme Two: “Reliquia Nascita” by David Gappa Right, Theme Three: “The Deception of Eve” by Peg Rosenlund Far right, Theme Four: “Beautiful Hope” by Christy Lafferty

I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you” (Exodus 31:1-6). This year’s PCPC Arts Festival, “Beginnings: Genesis,” produced 35 winners from 150 exhibited pieces. In addition to the four theme winners, there were 31 Blue 12 • PCPC WITNESS

members and staff who moved the art and manned the show during its exciting run. And most of all, Pete praised the Lord for making everything work out successfully on all fronts. —Lawan Andersen MAY 2008

pring break is one of the most important weeks of the school year to any student. They can just kick back and relax; no worries, no studying, no tests …NO WORK. This was not the case for a group of 20 high school students, several volunteers, and the staff of the High School Ministry this March. Instead of lounging around, these students decided to serve the city of New Orleans by working on homes that had been severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina in August, 2005. We teamed up with Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New Orleans and spent three days working very hard to help rebuild two different homes. We divided the group between two different homes; our goal was to clear out the homes and leave nothing but the studs. It was so mind boggling to see the state of the homes two and a half years after the hurricane. The only thing I could think was, Why are there still 70,000 homes empty and damaged from the hurricane? Why are certain areas back to normal and others still in such a state of destruction? Why aren’t more people coming to help this city?

Not fixed yet

Students see great needs of New Orleans

into a damp, smelly disaster. Just imagine a previously cluttered house that had been filled with water, then left untouched and rained on for three years. What you might imagine is so much worse in reality. Initially, nerves and adrenaline made the job easy. Pick up, carry, throw out. By the time we had ripped out the drywall and insulation, the house seemed even more packed. Much was accomplished the first John David Newman work day, but we were less than optimistic when our team returned the next day.

Katie Little, a student on the trip, reports, “By no means is demolishing houses a flashy spring break, but the experience was irreplaceable. We took out all the old, moldy, and broken household items (ranging from wires and sheetrock to beds and personal items.) It was then that we understood the devastation Katrina had wrought. Not only had it destroyed houses; it had swept away lives and memories. God gave us the opportunity to love that household by taking away all the old so that family can start anew.” Melinda Dillahunty was another student deeply impacted by the trip. She says, “The first day of work, our team stepped

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High School Ministry

“While taking dishes out of the kitchen cabinets, my elbow knocked over and broke a porcelain figurine. Flinching, I began to take a good look around me at the ruin and chaos and, with some effort, was able to envision the kitchen in its former glory. I noted there was a bowl with a spoon in it resting on the disheveled table. What I had been trampling on and tossing away without a thought was not junk but someone’s precious belongings. Subconsciously, I began plotting a foolproof way of protecting my belongings from fire or water. Later that day, I sat on a rotting bunk bed and, looking around me, realized my selfishness and how much I dearly loved my “treasures” and how they won’t last, either. The New Orleans experience has placed in my heart not only gratitude for the short time I was able to serve there, but a desire to return someday to continue the work that is ongoing in New Orleans for years to come.” The spring break trip to New Orleans was life-changing, not just for the students, but for me also as a leader. It is so energizing and encouraging to give one’s life to the Lord and worship Him by serving Him. Please pray for New Orleans! —Lily Riemer

PCPC WITNESS • 13 PCPC WITNESS • 13

New pastor joins PCPC youth ministry Don Admire staying on right side of the Mason-Dixon line

Ever since coming to Christ during Young Life camp at age 14, Don Admire (Ad’ mire) has been sure of his calling to youth ministry. “I remember hearing the gospel and going, ‘Wow, this is incredible,’” Don says. A couple of weeks later he decided that he wanted to share the gospel with young people for the rest of his life. He will be continuing his life’s work at PCPC in May, when he becomes our Pastor to Youth after months of patient persuasion by our search

committee. John Bateman speaks for the committee in declaring, “We’re terrifically excited about it.” Don is committed to youth ministry because “there’s a tremendous need from that age group.” He is motivated by the knowledge that “you can make an impact. You can reach the future.” After serving with Campus Crusade in college, he joined Young Life staff and served as a youth ministry intern 14 • PCPC WITNESS

at Nashville’s Christ Presbyterian Church for four years. It was during that time that Don embraced reformed theology. Before his last year of college, he had visited Christ Community Church and heard Scotty Smith preach the Word for the first time. “I had never heard anything like it,” he says; he had always worshiped at Southern Baptist churches. The next year, as he served his internship at Christ Presbyterian, he met for lunch weekly with the elders of his church and asked all the questions he could think of. He slowly overcame his suspicion of the reformed tradition, joking that “I prayed to receive John Calvin as my spiritual advisor.” Don’s next position was youth director at Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. After four years in Huntsville he enrolled at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis. During his last three years of seminary, Don worked as a student ministry intern at Chesterfield Presbyterian Church. It was there that he made the fateful acquaintance of Mark Davis, who was pastor of youth and family at Chesterfield. He had already heard about Mark from a mutual friend

who felt that they had a lot in common. Indeed, when Mark and Don got to know each other, “we realized how similar we were,” Don says, going as far as to say that they were “separated at birth.” Don sees Mark as a close friend and a role model. Two-track youth ministry The two men shared a philosophy of ministry from the beginning. “Picture a railroad track,” Don says. “One track is relationships; the other track is the Word of God. You’ve got to have both.” He cites 1 Thessalonians 2:8 as an example of this principle: “So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.” “You’ve got to give them your life and you’ve got to give them the Word of God,” Don says of the students he works with. “You teach so much better through relationships.” Don graduated from seminary in 2001 and then applied his philosophy and vision as assistant pastor of youth ministry at First Presbyterian Church in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. For the next six years after leaving Hattiesburg he served as assistant pastor of youth ministry at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Meanwhile, last summer, PCPC formed a search committee for a youth pastor to succeed Mark Davis: Kit Case (chairman), John Bateman, Bess Cave, Bart Irby, Sara Moore, Leslie Newman, and Gil Sheehan. According to John, candidates had to be not only good teachers who were attractive to kids, but also men who could multiply efforts by managing volunteers and staff. Romancing the candidate Mark was involved in the search process and recommended Don, who shared his philosophy of ministry and had experience managing a team MAY 2008

of staff, interns, and laypeople. But when Don heard they were interested in him, he hesitated. He told them that “we all just needed to pray about it,” John said. John reassured him that they had already been doing that. Again the committee members called Don and said that they had been praying and they just wanted him to come visit. He still resisted. According to John, Don excused himself by saying he would just fall in love with them and have to make a hard deci-

“I’m so ready to be in Dallas right now I can’t stand it,” Don says now, “but it was a long struggle.” He really loves Alabama and was happy with his life in Birmingham. John is glad the search committee was patient and persistent. “It was a deliberate, careful, thorough, prayer-soaked process,” he says. “We believe the Lord has blessed us by sending him.” Mark is also excited about Don’s arrival on staff. “I have had the privilege of working with Don in youth

interns and equip them for ministry, “galvanizing” them with the philosophy and vision of ministry. Second, he plans to concentrate on getting to know as many kids and families as possible. He will go on the Florida trip and plans to ride on the bus with the high schoolers. In the long term, Don identifies three focal areas: staff and interns (the main focus, involving about half his time), kids, and parents. He is especially drawn to the unique opportunity he

“It was a deliberate, careful, thorough, prayer-soaked process. We believe the Lord has blessed us by sending him.” —John Bateman sion. “That’s the point,” John replied. Finally, after some time, Don called them and said his heart was tugging him to come visit. He did, twice, and describes what attracted him about PCPC: “I saw the vision, the passion of the church, the excitement of a new direction... kind of like a rebirth.” He felt this among all ages; among pastors and leaders, new members and charter members—among everyone. “After the second visit I felt called,” Don remarks. John says he noticed many attractive things about Don. “He loves the Lord deeply, is passionate about the Lord, and really knows scripture.” John admires his sense of humor. And he came up with one more description of the 6’7” Alabaman—“darn big. Not fat, but darn big.”

ministry for the last 10 years,” says Mark, “and I delight in seeing his captivating love for the Lord and his desire to see young men and women and their families fall deeper in love with Jesus Christ. He is a dear friend and partner in Kingdom ministry, and I am very grateful God has called him to our church.” Fitting in and focusing on people “There’s a lot I look forward to,” Don says. “Pouring my life into the staff, ministering to students, meeting families, being transformed by the pastoral staff.” After some more thought he adds, “I am looking forward to a big Texas steak.” Don’s passions are fly fishing, Alabama football, golf, and good food. Most of all, he just loves spending time with people. His favorite Chris-

will have here to train and develop a large youth ministry team. Although it was not an easy decision to make, in some ways the move will be simple. For one thing, Don is not moving north. Cincinnati, where he grew up, is “the wrong side of the Mason-Dixon Line.” He says he went to the University of Alabama, picked up a southern accent, and never looked back. “There is no Yankee in me whatsoever,” he claims. Fortunately, Don says he notices “tons of similarity between people in Alabama and people in Dallas.” John Bateman remarked, “Don’s rolling into a philosophy, strategy, and daily life of ministry that’s very similar to his ministry at his church.” PCPC also has very similar socioeconomics and demographics.

“I delight in seeing his captivating love for the Lord and his desire to see young men and women and their families fall deeper in love with Jesus Christ.” —Mark Davis On his last visit, Don taught the high school Sunday school class, and John says “the kids really latched onto him.” John noticed that Don took the initiative to get together with people outside of his official interviewing schedule.

MAY 2008

tian writers are Francis Schaeffer and John Piper; when systematic theology is called for he often finds himself recommending James Boice. As Don begins his work here, he has two immediate goals. First, he plans to pour himself into the lives of the

“Kids have a lot of options and a lot of whims, and he’s learned how to navigate that.” “The big transition will be switching from pork barbecue to beef barbecue,” Don says. —Stephanie Barker PCPC WITNESS • 15

Urban Ministries

What does the Lord require? “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” —Micah 6:8

ike many in my PCPC family, God led me to West Dallas Community School (WDCS) as a place to better learn how to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with Him. Some of us came to West Dallas because we wanted to make a difference, others because we wanted to give back, and some, such as me, felt a goading of the Holy Spirit which could not be ignored. These are a few of our stories.

one of six cousins being raised by his grandmother. Technically, Robert is the mentor, but he has been learning a few things from his student as well. The first time they met at the school, Ktor advised Robert that he should walk in a straight line with his hands behind his back on the way to the dining hall. Robert obediently complied. Teaching a child to pray Shield of Prayer is a program that pairs one child with someone who commits to pray for them daily. Our desire is that every child in our school is lifted up to the Lord in prayer each day by name. Soon after the program began, I received this encouraging email from Amy Cozad. Although her time is limited as a young mother, Amy is an important member of the WDCS family. Her e-mail read:

A family affair Over 80% of WDCS students are from single-parent homes. Usually the fathers have little or no meaningful presence in their children’s lives. Such is the case with sisters Khloe (10) and Kennedy (6). About a year ago, Carri and Kit Case began mentoring the girls through our Shepherd a Child program. With three daughters of their own, the Cases lead busy lives with little extra family time beyond church, “We are so excited about Jennifer and Robert Prather with Ktor and their daughters school, and sports committhe Shield of Prayer Mason (l) and Bess (r) ments. So they decided to program. We received our treat Khloe and Kennedy as packet a couple of weeks their own and incorporate them into the everyday Case ago, and I was so delighted to receive China Armstrong. family activities. As it turns out, the girls’ favorite activity We have been praying for her at breakfast each morning is simply hanging out at the Case home, playing dress up, with our daughter Claire. The past few mornings, when and listening to music. At a soccer game recently, KenI tell Claire it’s time to pray, she says. “China!” and she nedy asked Carri, “Mrs. Case, are you married?” Carri prays right along with me. It is honestly a blessing for us to was rather surprised at the question, given the amount of be able to pray for China because we know the Lord hears time Kennedy had spent with Kit and the entire family. She our prayers for her and also because we are teaching Claire explained that, yes, she and Mr. Case were married and something invaluable by teaching her to pray for others. that they loved each other and try to keep God at the center Thank you for being the tools that God uses to shine His of their marriage and family. Kennedy responded, “I want light on all of us.” to be married like you one day.” So a little girl, for whom a broken home is normal, is beginning to understand God’s WDCS is a place where children learn, laugh, and begin to desire for her future marriage and family life. understand that a mighty God loves them. It is also a place   for the body of Christ to put Micah 6:8 into practice. If not “Financial gifts were no longer enough” at our school, I encourage you to find your own special Robert Prather had been a donor for several years but came place where God would have you to “do justice, love kindto a point when, as he says, “financial gifts were no lonness, and to walk humbly with your God.” ger enough.” When he visited the school, Robert did not —Tom Neuhoff, Jr. come alone—he brought along ten colleagues from Vision Research. As a result, he and three of his co-workers joined For additional information on Shepherd a Child, Shield of Prayer, the Shepherd a Child program, plus they recruited three or tutoring, please contact Anne Brown, PCPC Ministry Coordimore friends! Robert shepherds Ktor (6), a little boy who is nator, 214-341-3319, or anne_b_brown@yahoo.com. 16 • PCPC WITNESS

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INSIDEOUT

World Missions Conference n late January, the inside of our church oozed the theme “international.” Flags from various countries hung around the church, the children’s areas offered renderings of cultures from near and far, and PCPC-supported missionaries’ display tables brought news of God’s work among the nations. The conference theme, “Inside Out,” aimed to look inside our lives as individuals and as a church in order to understand the ways that the transforming presence of Christ compels us and enables us (as individuals and as a church) to bear witness of the gospel outside our church, our city, and our country. Take a look at some of the ways God used the conference to touch the lives of people.

Above, Corey Young, PCPC’s Director of World Missions, with Marcelo and Aida Ramirez Right, Tiffany and Zac Menerey and sons Samuel and MIchael with Seima and Naoko Aoyagi

Inside PCPC members “I was involved in a few areas so I got to see different parts of the conference. On Saturday I went to a class on “The Life of a Missionary.” The ladies who spoke were very open and honest about real life overseas, and I appreciated their transparency.” —Erika McIntyre “After participating quite a lot in the conference and having the Aoyagis stay with us, Angela and I were greatly blessed and challenged to pray for and love our missionaries even more. We praise the Lord for all He is doing.” —Angela and Bill Thomas Inside the host homes “The dates Cindy Rhea gave me were on my calendar. I knew when I was to drive, feed, and entertain the missionary couple that would stay with our family. As this point, they were only names to me: Aida and Marcelo Ramirez. They arrived from the Philippines and were greeted with unusually cold Dallas MAY MAY2008 2008

weather. We found them loaner coats in our coat closet— their graciousness and gratitude for anything we did for them was striking. I instantly fell in love with them both.

We enjoyed several meals with Aida and Celo, where we saw their deep faith and love for the Philippine people. Their Kingdom mindset was inspiring and touching. I began to want what they had. I will always have dear memories of taking them to the Nasher Sculpture Center. Then Aida and I had manicures and pedicures—we laughed and had fun together as she spoke with the salon workers in her native language. But my most touching memory will always be the song that Celo and Aida sang on Tuesday night for the final meeting. It was titled “I Want Jesus More than Anything.” Doug and I could feel the depth of their conviction as they sang. We asked Celo and Aida to sing it for our daughter, Catherine, the next morning. She received a private concert in our kitchen! After they left, I wrote in my journal: ‘It is so convicting and heart-touching to see these people with full hearts for serving Jesus. I want to learn from them—I want to have the passion and depth of love that they have for Jesus. Please, Lord, let me never forget what they showed me—what they gave me.’” —Jill Chesnut Inside the missionaries “We felt loved, wecomed, supported, prayed for, encouraged, blessed, graced, indulged, cared for, listened to and heard, celebrated and appreciated! What more can you ask for than that?! THANK YOU!” —Pat & Kurt Nelson, PCPC-supported missionaries “We arrived in Dallas very drained from a stressful season of service overseas. We left refreshed and encouraged by the clear evidences of our Father’s hand on the hearts and lives of His people in the PCPC community. Your prayers and commitment to partnership will help to sustain us in the coming year.” —Pam & David, PCPC-supported missionaries (last names withheld for security reasons) PCPC PCPC WITNESS WITNESS • 17 • 17

Reaching individuals and reaching a society

Christian counselors in Banda Aceh, Indonesia

By Jeff White In late February, I flew to Indonesia to join a group from PCPC investigating opportunities to partner with Indonesian nationals involved in church planting. My purpose on the trip was to see if God was leading PCPC (and specifically PCPC’s counseling ministry) to partner with the Christians in Banda Aceh’s counseling ministry. I had a good idea of what the counseling ministry was doing, but I did not expect to see how 1 in sync the counseling was with the church planting, and I did not realize the extent of counseling’s transformative impact potential for Aceh. Our team met at the counseling center with counselors and church planters in the area. We sang songs, prayed, and then heard some inspiring testimonies. One counselor from another location said, “I have noticed that

A new World 50

Team travels to Indonesia, Cambodia, and V and religious questions continued from her and her husband. The counselor said that she was trembling in fear and was praying, “God, what are they going to do to me?” Throughout the evening the counselor would remind the couple, “Remember, you are asking me the questions. I am not trying to force you to become a Christian,” and then she would answer

a social norm. More than running against a social norm, the Christian witness moves against the dominant Muslim majority. Yet, God has provided inroads for counseling through the tsunami relief in 2005, when NonGovernment Organizations (NGOs) came to Banda Aceh to help with the psychological trauma from the tsunami. Today, a small handful of Christian counselors have the opportunity not only to counsel others, but also to impact the culture through counseling programs for school guidance counselors or health workers. God is clearly working not only to impact and transform individuals, but also to impact a society. I look forward to being a part of short-term trips to Banda Aceh’s counseling center with other mental health professionals to provide training and materials. We hope to send the first team in the summer of 2009.

people here don’t seem to be able to be close and open with one another. Yet I’ve found that since the counseling post opened, people come and interact with one another.” She then told a story about how a Muslim lady, who was a counselee, started a conversation about faith, specifically about Christianity. The Muslim lady later called the counselor to come to her home that night, 18 • PCPC WITNESS

openly and boldly. The conversation moved deeper into the topics of faith, heaven, and the afterlife and became more personal. The husband asked, “What happens if I die?” The counselor then explained how in the Bible, specifically in John, those who accept Christ will be found in Christ. She told him that salvation is only through Jesus Christ. The Christian counselors in Aceh locate themselves in a community in order to serve and be available, a unique approach there. Counseling is not

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focus for PCPC?

Vietnam to investigate potential involvement Calling all doctors Reaching Cambodia

by Clanton Harrison Calling all doctors and health care professionals at PCPC! I just returned from India and Cambodia. “Why?” you ask. I was in India on a medical mission trip with the LEAP Foundation. PCPC’s own Dr. Craig Hobar started this non-profit organization that travels around 4 the world and does craniofacial surgery in places where often no one else wants to go to extend the Kingdom of our Lord! Craig is planning to go to Cambodia in 2009 with a surgical team to help with their overwhelming need. LEAP will probably make a third trip to Laos in 2010. While overseas, I met up with Curt Dobbs, David Franklin, and Jeff White in Cambodia to investigate medical opportunities in that country. Our missionary hosts while there were Eda and Lloyd Kim. Eda is a physician who hopes to partner with PCPC to start outreach clinics to rural areas of Cambodia. There is a plan to involve PCPC’s Thai medical team, also. After viewing the need in Cambodia, we are considering sending a team of PCPC healthcare professionals next spring for a shortterm medical mission trip to help Eda and Lloyd with their outreach. The time in Cambodia was exciting, and I see great potential for the short-term and long-term impact of a medical outreach to these people and to the missionaries who are serving faithfully in that faraway land. We also see this as an important expansion of PCPC’s growing ministry in Southeast Asia. MAY 2008

Another divine connection

PCPC, Laos, Vietnam, and the Bru people!

By Curt Dobbs The Bru people group includes 116,000 people living in Laos and Vietnam. The word “bru” literally means “mountain,” and this people group is located along the banks of rivers or streams in the mountains. Each village consists of individual stilt houses encircling a central community house. Extended families usually live in one house in very poor conditions and often without electricity. Due to Communist oppression, many Bru have fled and become refugees, but most still live in Laos and Vietnam. Virtually all Bru people are ethnic religionists, practicing their own traditional religion of ancestor and spirit worship. Though the Bru people believe in spirits and even “guardian

spirits,” they have yet to know of the true Holy Spirit of our triune and true God. Most of them have never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ! Did you know that PCPC has Bru members? King (a refugee from Laos 18 years ago) and Somephane Sribounheuang are members of PCPC, and he is Director of our Lao Presbyterian Fellowship. In addition to leading our local Lao/Thai group, King ministers to Bru people in Laos through visits to help with water wells, sanitation, irrigation, and sharing the gospel. During my recent visit to Vietnam, I met with a pastor from a remote village in Dac Lac Province. As we talked, it became apparent that the people being ministered to in the village were not typical Vietnamese. In fact, they were “tribal people” and were quite different, and even oppressed by many Vietnamese. Being curious, I asked the pastor the name of the tribal group. Assuming a westerner would not know the name of this remote group, the pastor shied away from answering at first. I suspected a unique connection and pressed for the exact name—which turned out to be the Bru people! The pastor smiled brightly, realizing that someone actually knew something about the people he was trying to minister to. Was it just a coincidence that halfway around the world, someone from PCPC would meet one of the very few people actually ministering among a people group which is the home of our own Lao leader? Obviously, we think not. PCPC’s World Missions team is pursuing a new church-planting project which includes this work in Vietnam to the Bru people! We believe this is yet another divine connection for extending His Kingdom! 1 Banda Aceh Counseling Center 2 Nelly Sihombing, Director of Banda Counseling Ministry, with Jeff White 3 Clanton Harrison with Dr. Lloyd Kim, MTW Missionary in Cambodia and Vietnam 4 Somephane and King Sribounheuang 5 A Bru family and its house on stilts PCPC WITNESS • 19

Southwest Church Planting Network

Celebrating the first ten years

The Southwest Church Planting Network, started by PCPC, is a group of 59 PCA churches in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Oklahoma formed in 1998 to plant new churches and initially fund new RUF campus chapters in the Southwest. The Lord has greatly blessed the work of the Network and its founding Executive Director Brad Bradley during the first 10 years. The Network has seen 36 new PCA churches started and has helped fund eight new RUF chapters throughout the Southwest. To celebrate the first 10 years and to glorify God for the great things He has done through the Network, over 180 PCPC officers and church planters gathered on February 18 for a celebration banquet. Church planters and PCPC officers mingled over dinner and learned about each other’s ministries and lives. PCPC officers got to see how the Network’s vision and PCPC’s participation have been used to build and expand the Lord’s Kingdom. The Network’s founding core of men were each given framed pictures. [Executive Director Brad Bradley and his wife Ann were also honored for their dedication to church planting and their service to the Lord through the tireless work they have devoted to the Network. Ed. note] To close the evening, a special DVD created by PCPC deacon Bert Mueller, was shown. Bert has visually captured a number of the church plants’ worship services and included interviews with church planters. This 22-minute DVD shows the steps of faith which were taken to begin the Network, the ways the Network has served church planters and their new congregations, and the exciting role the Network will play in the future of PCA church plants. Copies of the

DVD are available in PCPC’s literature racks or by contacting Brad Bradley, 214-528-9422 or swchplnet@aol.com. To find out more about the Southwest Church Planting Network, visit their website at www. plantchurch.org. —Brad Bradley

Top (l to r), PCPC elder Bill Thomas; David Rea, Senior Minister at Providence Presbyterian Church in Dallas;, and Rich Lambert, Senior Minister at New St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church in Dallas Above, Leo Schuster, Senior Minister of Christ the King Presbyterian in Houston; Brad and Ann Bradley; and Skip Ryan

MAY 2008 • Vol. XIX, No. 2 Park Cities Presbyterian Church 4124 Oak Lawn Dallas, Texas 75219 www.pcpc.org

Periodical Postage Paid at Dallas, Texas