Multiply Winter 09/10

Transcription

1 Multiply Winter 09/10 In this issue... The government has made failed promises. Hollywood has come and gone. Churches are the only ones left who are helping New Orleans and not asking anything in return. ~ Ray Cannata, Redeemer Presbyterian in New Orleans Meeting New Orleans Greatest Need: Church Planting in the Big Easy Redeemer Presbyterian Church St. Roch Community Church A Tale of Two RUFs: Reflecting the Diverse Kingdom of Christ

2 HOW CAN MY CHURCH ANSWER GOD S CALL TO PLANT CHURCHES? Where do I begin? Is church planting worth the sacrifices it requires? How do I make church planting part of the DNA of my church? How do I develop the leadership and other resources to get the job done? MNA s Every Church Plant a Church DVD will help you begin to address your questions through taking these steps: Pray for a vision for the harvest, for God s provision of church planters, and for a vision for church planting in your church. Build outreach and ongoing church planting into the culture, the DNA, of your church. Focus on lay leadership: encourage and mentor lay leaders to take the lead in church planting. Recruit and mentor church planters. Develop the ongoing vision for churches who plant churches who plant churches. You will find a link to the video at: as well as a link to the MNA Church Planter Recruiting Guide, a web-based supplement to the DVD. This guide will take you through the basics of church planter recruiting. Included are handouts you may use for presenting the church planting vision to your congregation and to those who might consider God s call to church planting. Can God advance the Gospel through the PCA among the ever-growing variety of people groups in North America? The North American culture is rapidly and constantly changing. PCA churches are learning that God s Spirit does open up the way. Through PCA churches, the Gospel is advancing among the growing numbers of people groups in North America. What approaches have we seen that God seems most often to bless? MNA s Ministering Among the Changing Cultures of North America DVD will help you begin to address your questions through taking these steps: 1. Pray for hearts of love for our neighbors and for God s leading. 2. Encourage lay people to initiate outreach, supported by pastors and staff. 3. Through loving our neighbors and forming relationships with them, begin to discover their needs. 4. Develop Word and Deed ministries: tutoring children, ESL, VBS and adult Bible studies are good ways to begin. 5. When the work has grown sufficiently, call staff members or church planters to lead the work. 6. Continue to increase lay involvement, in addition to encouraging church planters and pastors. You will find a link to the video at communications.php. You will also find a link to the companion booklet Ministering Among the Changing Cultures of North America, which is available online as a PDF as well as in printed booklet form. To order a copy of the DVD or a print copy of the booklet, go to pca-mna.org/communications.php and click on Request Information. You may also order a copy of the DVD. Go to and click on Request Information.

3 Meeting New Orleans Greatest Need: Church Planting in the Big Easy Most people would think it odd to compare Mardi Gras to the Kingdom of Heaven. The annual parade in New Orleans LA has long been billed as a celebration of excess and debauchery. In fact, the latter themes, while usually the focus of media attention, are a relatively small portion of the event; Ray Cannata, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian in uptown New Orleans, believes that much of the celebration through the parades and parties is surprisingly similar to what Heaven will be like. It s a great picture of hospitality, grace and generosity, celebration and inclusion, he says. Ray admits, though, that the city can also be a picture of hell. Here in New Orleans, it s as good as it gets and as bad as it gets, he says. And the bad stuff is as good a reason to be here as the good stuff. A Challenging Call to Serve After serving for fourteen years in staff roles and then as senior pastor of a PCA church in New Jersey, Ray began to feel God leading him to a more diverse and urban community. In 2005, he got a phone call from Jeffrey Lancaster, who began Redeemer in 1999 and was moving on to plant a church in Memphis. Jeff s model for ministry was almost identical to what Left to Right: Julia Davis, Redeemer Assistant Pastor Shane Gibson, Pastor Ray Cannata, Mike Rousey. I d dreamed about, says Ray. Largely unprogrammed and highly relational, with outreach ministries and a congregation that looked like its community. Ray and his wife Kathy flew to New Orleans and fell in love with the city instantly. Ray scheduled a second interview for a week later, not knowing it would be the very day Katrina hit. I started watching the news that morning and hoped that my flight wouldn t be cancelled, he remembers. Instead, they cancelled the whole city! It would be more than a month before Ray could return to New Orleans. As he drove in, there was garbage piled about three feet high in every direction. Oak trees, hundreds of years old, had been stripped of their leaves. The city was deserted. It was eerie. Across the city from Redeemer, Ben McLeish returned to his home in the Eighth Ward. Our house was on the last block that didn t flood, he says but most of the Ninth Ward was demolished. A staff member with Desire Street Ministries, a ministry serving the Ninth Ward, Ben had long wanted to see the Gospel proclaimed in the neighboring Eighth Ward community of St. Roch, an area somewhat less damaged by Katrina. He and his wife, Stephanie, began a Bible study in their home to minister among the people of St. Roch. Many pastors would have thought there was nothing to come to in New Orleans the presbytery wasn t even sure a church would still be viable in the area. Eighty percent of the city was flooded after Katrina 172,000 of its 215,000 homes were damaged. Over 1,400 people died. But the presbytery decided to resume Redeemer s ministry, and the Bible study in Ben s home led to the development of St. Roch Community Church a PCA mission church to whom J.B. Watkins was called as pastor in Ben serves as Community Development Director. J.B., who had been youth director at New Beginnings (PCA) in inner city Memphis, says, My wife and I weren t sure about coming at first. But when we met the people of St. Roch and heard them cry out for their need of a church, it made up our minds. Evangelism in the Big Easy Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez Let the Good Times Roll is a fitting motto for New Orleans. Boasting influences of French, Caribbean and German cultures, the city is filled with friendly, hospitable people who love to socialize. Ray and J.B. have observed a spirit of thankfulness among the people they serve. The people of New Orleans are not absorbed in their victimhood, says Ray. They ve learned that material Redeemer Presbyterian members enjoy a meal together, accompanied by a New Orleans jazz band.

4 We welcome people who are committed to maintaining the work God is doing here. ~ J.B. Watkins, St. Roch Community Church, New Orleans LA. things can be taken away grace makes sense to them. He continues, We re here to share that you don t party to escape the pain you party because the Bridegroom is returning. But the city is also plagued with problems. Even before Katrina hit, New Orleans had the highest murder rate and one of the poorest education systems in the United States, and a history of government corruption. The community around St. Roch is laden with crime and drug trafficking. Many people avoid coming through this area, says J.B. St. Roch and Redeemer have begun to combat these issues through word and deed ministries. Many times, word ministries come through deed ministries, explains Ben. St. Roch offers after-school programs for neighborhood kids. The church has also purchased a couple of homes in the area to remodel they ll rent these homes to people who can then build up their credit and purchase homes of their own. I ve had more chances to evangelize here than I had in my whole Christian life before now, says Ray. Most weeks, Redeemer hosts barbecues and block Ben McLeish, St. Roch Community Development Director, works in the garden with church youth. parties for its neighborhood. And Ray hits the streets every day, striking up conversations with the people he meets. One morning, he had an appointment to meet someone. The man didn t show up, but along the way I chatted with a male prostitute, a British musician, a hip woman writer and actress Delta Burke s mother! he says. Through developing relationships, we re creating a positive impression of churches, says Ray. A Unique Congregational Life The cultural mix of New Orleans has brought with it a variety of religious views, but there s never been an evangelical tradition or presence in New Orleans, says Ray. Ben says that, for many citizens, religion is based on superstition misconceptions of the Gospel are common. Both Redeemer and St. Roch have experienced steady growth and are committed to raising up indigenous leaders within their communities. It s common in the St. Roch community to see non-married couples living together. One such couple, who have attended St. Roch since its first Bible study and have four children, were the first to be married in the church s sanctuary. The wedding really made an impact many of the teenagers here had never been to one before, says J.B. In the uptown, an eclectic mix of rich and poor live side-by-side. Ray remembers a get-together held by a young woman who attends Redeemer. At the party were an eccentric lady known for taking in numerous stray Above: St. Roch Community Church building, refurbished by volunteer teams from PCA and other churches. Below: J.B. Watkins performs the first wedding in the new St. Roch sanctuary. animals, an artist with multiple body piercings, a Jewish musician and a conservative FBI agent all singing together at the piano. It was a true reflection of what the Kingdom looks like, says Ray. Joining the Building of the Church and Rebuilding of the City Rebuilding New Orleans takes commitment whether for a few days or for a lifetime. Two women acting as Resident Advisors have moved into a refurbished building that houses Redeemer s short term mission teams. It means a lot to the citizens that people will take a week out of their lives to come help, but it makes a huge difference when someone moves here permanently, says Ray. We need people singles and couples, young and old who will stay. Emily Rhodes, an intern with Desire Street Ministries, lives in St. Claude, a neighborhood adjacent to the St. Roch neighborhood, and provides administrative and program support to St. Roch. The church is also preparing to welcome a man from Ohio and a couple from Iowa who have sold their homes and will move to the community.

5 MNA conferences (details at pca-mna.org) Short Term Missions Those who cannot move permanently to New Orleans can serve through short term missions. Redeemer has been able to repair or rebuild over 300 homes so far with the help of short term teams. A variety of skills are needed, says Ken Kostrzewa, MNA Disaster Response Coordinator for Redeemer. Volunteers gut homes, reframe houses and even help with administrative work. We can also use skilled professionals to redo plumbing and run electrical wire, he says. Ken says that seeing the Body of Christ at work has made an impact on the residents of New Orleans. Lucious Brock III and his wife Monique are one such family. Redeemer helped us dramatically, Lucious says. If they hadn t contributed to the rebuilding of our home, we wouldn t be nearly as far along as we are. J.B. has seen several people begin to regularly attend St. Roch as a result of a short term missions trip by two Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) groups from Jackson MS. (To learn more about their unique story, turn to page 4.) Still, over 70,000 flood-damaged homes remain in the city. There s much more work that needs to be done, stresses J.B. Especially in areas where the poor reside. Adds Ray, The government has made failed promises. Hollywood has come and gone. Churches are the only ones left who are helping New Orleans and not asking anything in return. From Embers to a Flame January 21-24, 2010 Birmingham AL MNA GCA North America Church Planting and Church Renewal Conference January 26-29, 2010 Orlando FL Korean Pastors Conference January 25-27, 2010 MNA Disaster Response Training (held in conjunction with the Mercy Ministries Conference) March 10-11, 2010 Camp Vespers, Chattanooga TN 2010 CEP and MNA Mercy Ministries Conference March 11-13, 2010 New City Fellowship, Chattanooga TN To become involved in sharing the love of Christ in New Orleans, contact Ken Kostrzewa at Redeemer (504) RedeemerRelief@gmail.com or Ben McLeish at St. Roch (504) ben@strochcc.org Hands-On Help Rebuilding New Orleans will take decades, and Redeemer and St. Roch invite your help. Here are some ways you can share the Gospel in word and deed. Volunteer for a short term missions trip Skilled construction workers are needed for tasks such as plumbing and framing. Others can help by painting, landscaping or participating in prayer walks. Donate In addition to financial donations, school supplies for St. Roch s after school programs are needed. You can also donate new, unwrapped toys for St. Roch s Christmas Store. Dedicate a few months or even your life Interns who will help for the summer or a year are welcome. And those who commit their lives by relocating permanently to the city make a huge impact for Christ on its residents. On Left, Ken Kostrzewa, MNA Disaster Response Coordinator for Redeemer Presbyterian, works with Disaster Response volunteers to gut homes, reframe houses and continue to work with community people in the rebuilding of New Orleans. Mission teams from Resurrection Presbyterian Church and Park Slope Presbyterian Church, recent church plants in Brooklyn NY. There are ongoing opportunities for teams from across the PCA to join the many who have already come to work with Redeemer and St. Roch in repairing and building homes.

6 A Tale of Two RUFs: Reflecting the Diverse Kingdom of Christ JSU-Belhaven Missions Team works to restore neighborhood. When Elbert McGowan, Jr., campus minister for Jackson State University Reformed University Fellowship (JSU RUF), began thinking about a missions trip for his students, he never dreamed of the work God would accomplish through it. Elbert and his friend Chad Smith, campus minister at nearby Belhaven College, had been talking about combining their groups for a joint trip. Belhaven RUF is composed of mostly Anglo students, while JSU RUF is the first RUF at a historically African American college. As Elbert and Chad discussed their options, Elbert was approached at church by Sherry Lanier, MNA ShortTerm Missions and Disaster Response Facilitator, who told him about the opportunity for short term missions in New Orleans. During their spring break in March, the two groups traveled to New Orleans to help with the rebuilding of the city. What happened next was nothing short of heavenly, says Chad. Not only were the residents of New Orleans uniquely impacted for Christ, the lives of the students were changed. We were able to minister among the residents in deed and truth, says Chad. Adds Elbert, We were told that our group was unique, with the significant number of African Americans included seeing the unity between African American and Anglo students working together as one in the Body of Christ was an incredible witness, especially to the African Americans who lived there. One key to the success of the missions trip and student bonds was the support of Redeemer Church, PCA, in Jackson MS, where many of the students from both Belhaven and JSU worship together, explains Sherry. The trip was a natural by-product of what s happening at Redeemer, she says. Redeemer s commitment to ministry in the city of Jackson has encouraged JSU students to feel comfortable there. It s a testimony to the power of the Gospel to break down barriers, she adds. Says Steve Lanier, Sherry s husband and Assistant to the Pastor, Many JSU students are coming to a true knowledge of Christ for the first time some are now being trained as core RUF leaders. God is doing an amazing work of racial reconciliation within the PCA, says Chad. We re seeing African Americans taking ownership, not only within RUF, but in the PCA. To see this accomplished means that PCA churches and Presbyteries must be committed to multiethnic congregations. Says Elbert, We must truly be the church that Paul described neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free. Redeemer in Jackson has had a huge impact on the lives of our students. I would really encourage every church that is close to a predominantly African American college to reach out across racial lines to join together in ministry. The rewards are huge for everyone especially those who will come to Christ through this kind of ministry. Just as importantly, working together and serving Christ formed lasting bonds between our groups, says Liz Watts, a Belhaven RUF student. Now, JSU and Belhaven students can be found regularly attending RUF meetings at both colleges and holding weekend cookouts together. This past summer, some of the students traveled together to the RUF Summer Conference. Elbert and Chad are already planning more missions trips for the two groups. Jackson State University Belhaven College MNA serves PCA churches and presbyteries as they advance God s Kingdom in North America by planting, growing, and multiplying biblically healthy churches through the development of intentional evangelism and outreach ministries. For a list of MNA staff, visit our website at Material in Multiply may be reproduced with permission. Address comments to: Fred Marsh, Managing Editor/Photographer. Writing and design provided by Big Bridge, Asheville, NC (thebigbridge.com). Multiply is published by MNA North Brown Rd. Suite 101 Lawrenceville, GA P: F: mna@pcanet.org