The 12th Stated Meeting of Evangel Presbytery was hosted by Christ Church in Cincinnati, OH. However, Grace Bible Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati graciously allowed us to use their building for the meeting. Many thanks!
For our opening worship service Pastor Jeremy Vander Galien preached on Luke 18:1-8. Everyone struggles with prayer, and our Lord knew this would be the case. As Pr. Vander Galien pointed out, this text is not complicated and there’s really no heavy exegesis involved. The point is quite clear. And yet we struggle to be persistent in prayer. We were exhorted not only to pray, but to pray knowing God works quickly.
Business began with ratifications of previous overtures: one on Fencing the Table and another on guarding against Paedocommunion. The additions passed unanimously and will be located in the BCO Chapter 60.
We then heard from Evangel’s Ad Interim Committee on Abortion. A summary statement of Evangel’s Abortion and the Church was previously presented to the presbytery. The summary statement was now re-presented and voted on to be added to the BCO. This is a truly excellent summary, being easily digestible but still potent. Many thanks to the Ad Interim Committee, especially elder Josh Congrove, for their diligent work. Also, be on the lookout for the book version of Abortion and the Church, hopefully released before our next meeting!
Next we heard updates from two of our churches and our mission churches. Pr. Andrew Dionne (Trinity Presbyterian Church, Spartanburg) spoke about both positive and negative responses to pastoral care. There are encouragements and discouragements in pastoral ministry, but the Lord is faithful. We then heard from Pr. Jody Killingsworth (Trinity Reformed Church, Bloomington) who shared with us details regarding their church building. It has been a long and slow process, but they are hoping for additional space to be completed in the fall. The church has been needing the space for quite sometime in order to serve the youth.
As for our mission churches, be in prayer for our pastors and their wives as they continue laboring. Pr. Jason Chen (Chinese Reformed Church, Bloomington) explained how the Chinese have many set backs due to generational sins. But good fruit is coming forth from his ministry. Be in prayer also for Pr. Andy Halsey (Christ Church, Columbus) and Pr. Jacob Mentzel (Church of the King, Evansville). May the Lord bless the work of these churches.
After lunch (brisket!) we heard from the Candidates and Credentials Committee. Pr. Stephen Baker gave updates on New Geneva Academy. This past semester there were six full-time students, three part-time, and a handful of auditors. NGA will also be offering a new 1-year bachelors program in the fall called Groundwork. It is open to both men and women and is designed to catch students up-to-speed on Western Civilization (the how and why of where we are today).
We then had two examinations: a transfer exam for Greg Anglen (Sovereign King Church, Jeffersonville) and the final ordination exam for Eric Beerbower (Clearnote Church, Indianapolis). Both men passed and their calls were approved. Congratulations men!
We finished things up by hearing from the Sessional Records Committee. It was a productive meeting full of warm fellowship. Again, many thanks to Christ Church and Grace Bible Presbyterian Church for hosting us!
Our next stated meeting will be at Clearnote Church in Indianapolis, IN, on Friday, October 6, 2023. We also hope you can join us for the 2023 Shepherd’s Conference which will be held at the same location, October 5-6. We look forward to seeing you there!