Author: Sarah Klazinga
by Dave Sarafolean, pastor of Christ Community OPC, Midland, MI Spring 2020 arrived in a way no one could have foreseen. When government shutdowns began to occur in mid-March due to COVID-19, life changed dramatically. Like many churches, ours—Christ Covenant in Midland, Michigan—was conflicted about the best path forward. Initially we shut down, then we reopened using an FM radio
by Brad Hertzog, video director and communications advisor for Disaster Response An OP missionary, home on furlough, gives a presentation to your church about life on the mission field, reaching the nations for Christ. You feel a tug and wonder if you could get involved. You read and hear about church plants around the country, about new people, new converts,
by Chris Cashen, Refugee Evangelist in Clarkston, GA As we are now in the Christmas season, many are turning their thoughts to serving, giving and mercy. This, then, is a wonderful time to encourage Christians to get involved in refugee ministry – which is chock full of serving and giving. In fact, as some write about refugee ministry, they remind
Cary and Judy Hirdes have made many trips to Midland, Michigan to help with the rebuild process at the Moots’ & Kennedy’s homes since the floods early in May. Judy shares a recent update: We made another trip to Midland, MI on October 26th for three days of work. Cary made the final connections for gas and the thermostat and
This article was first published in the October 2020 edition of New Horizons magazine. by Cheryl Wade When floodwaters filled Glenn and Michelle Moots’s house with two inches of mud and dumped another six inches into their driveway, the couple wasn’t sure they ever would live in their single-story home in rural Midland County, Michigan, again. Heavy rains caused the
Cary and Judy Hirdes have been working in Midland, Michigan for the last 4+ months. Judy shares this update from their most recent trip there. Our work in Midland, MI continues, following the devastating flood from the dam breakage on May 19. We drove there on August 4 to check out the Moots’ home project for some details Cary needed
by Rich Duggan, OPC Disaster Response Volunteer &Â Member, New Hope OPC, Bridgeton, NJ On August 31st, a group of five men from New Jersey, including myself, departed on our planned trip to Midland, Michigan. We were going to help a couple of families that had their homes significantly damaged by flooding when multiple dams failed around Sanford Lake in May
As wildfires continue to smolder in the western half of the state of Oregon, we have been receiving reports from OPC pastors in the area, keeping us updated on how their churches are doing, and of losses and damages within their congregations. Praise to the Lord, there has been no loss of life, though several families have lost their homes
The Disaster Advanced Response Team (DART) arrived in Pineville, LA around midnight Saturday night (8/29/20) in the wake of Category 4 Hurricane Laura. Sunday morning (8/30/20) after a devotional led by a licensed candidate of the Presbytery of the South they went to work applying mercy ministry to Pineville OP Church. They removed four downed trees at the church property
It’s been nearly three months since the devastating flooding in Midland, Michigan. During that time a couple of couples (along with many others) have been serving together in the disaster relief efforts and share their experiences. Cary & Judy Hirdes Tom & Linda Kennedy (L) with Cary & Judy Hirdes (R) We traveled to Midland, MI on June 16 and
by Glenn Moots This article first appeared on www.opc.org Edenville Township, MI – May 20, 2020: Glenn Moots stands at the front of his house. CREDIT: Nick Hagen Our home had always been headquarters for education, vocation, fellowship, hospitality, and service. We homeschooled, established our businesses, (including e-commerce, computer repair, academic consulting, and equestrian jewelry), organized holiday service projects for
This is a brief overview of the OPC’s disaster response efforts in 2019. If you would like to register as a Disaster Response Volunteer, sign up today!
by Patricia L. Duggan, member at New Hope Presbyterian Church in Bridgeton, New Jersey, and communications coordinator for the Committee on Diaconal Ministries. From the June 2020 issue of New Horrizons During this global crisis, we may not be giving much thought about what we can do for people in other parts of the globe. But Christians from halfway across
by Ross Graham, Stated Clerk of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church From the October 2019 edition of New Horizons David E. Haney was just twenty-six years old when, in 1989, he began employment with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church as the controller for the fledgling Committee on Coordination that had been created just five years before. A graduate of the University of