MISSION & OUTREACH ANNUAL REPORT
Our thanks to the congregation for their financial support of missions and outreach over the past year. As has been our commitment for many years, a tithe (10%) of our church familys giving goes to support ministry and the sharing of the Gospel outside the walls of this church locally, in the U.S. and also overseas. We are pleased that we have been able to fully meet the budgeted support of each of the ministries/missionaries detailed on the following page. Special offerings received over the course of the year are also listed at the bottom of the following page.
Throughout the year representatives of mission projects SPC supports were invited to speak to the congregation. In January Kathy Murphy, the Client Services Director for CareNet Pregnancy Center of Rockland, shared with us about their ministry of compassion and practical support for women and families facing crisis pregnancy. In April the Rev. Dr. Brad Long, Executive Director of Presbyterian-Reformed Ministries Intl. (PRMI), taught a weekend conference on the ministry of the Holy Spirit. In August Joshua Sofaer of Jews for Jesus gave a presentation on Christ in the Fall Feasts of Israel. In October Rev. David and Mrs. Lee Hall, home on furlough from the Ivory Coast, shared in some depth with the adult Sunday School class and with the congregation about their ministry in that now war-torn West African nation. In November Rev. Tom Willcox and Rev. Dave Pierson, both representing PRMI, spent a weekend teaching the adults and youth about the gifts of the Holy Spirit and then helping us begin to discover the gifts He has given each of us.
Last February, we wished Pastor Allen Godspeed as he left for a few weeks to teach at Campus Crusade for Christs New Life Bible College in Moscow. With the help of the Prayer Group, the committee coordinated a Prayer Station at the September Suffern Street Fair. It was a blessing to be able to pray for the felt needs of passersby. Karyn Moore once again coordinated SPCs Operation Christmas Child gift box collection. 118 boxes were sent out under SPCs umbrella (including some from Karyns school and some from Suffern High students) bringing a bit of the love of Jesus to children overseas.
Much of the committees focus in the early and later parts of 2002 was on coordinating the Wednesday night Alpha Dinner & Discussion series. The 10-week Alpha Course was offered beginning in January and then again in September with two small groups at each session ... a total of nearly 35 people participating. A number of people attending were not members of SPC. Part of the beauty of Alpha is that it crosses denominational barriers, focusing on learning about Jesus and the essentials of the Christian faith that draw us together rather than on doctrinal differences that sometimes cause division. Alpha is an informal, non-threatening setting where anyone can come enjoy a simple meal and good conversation where no question is regarded as too simple or too hostile. It is an ideal place to invite a friend who may have questions about Jesus and Christianity to come investigate the answers for themselves. With Alpha as a catalyst, the Holy Spirit has touched lives on these Wednesday nights and on the Alpha Weekend Away bringing two people to faith in Christ, drawing others to recommit their lives to Him, and for still others deepening their understanding of who Jesus is and the basics of Christianity.
For those who have already been through Alpha, the Wednesday Dinner & Discussion evenings have offered an opportunity to try a small group Bible study. From January through early April a group of about 18 completed a study based on Philippians (A Life Worth Living) beginning with a video presentation by Nicky Gumble, of the Alpha Course, followed by discussion time. While there was no Alpha Course in the spring, a group of about 15-20 worked through an introduction to the person and work of the Holy Spirit, Gateways to Empowered Ministry. Then from September through early December, 10-12 people looked at the later chapters of Isaiah in a study entitled The Heart of Revival.
As we begin 2003, we would ask for your prayers for the spring Alpha Course and small group Bible studies. Could the Holy Spirit be encouraging you to invite a friend, a neighbor, a spouse to come with you? Also be praying for the preparations and your participation in the weekend of April 4 and 5 when Brad Long of PRMI will be returning to lead a conference here on the Healing Ministry of the Holy Spirit.
In His service,
Lee Ann Weinberg, M&O Chairperson
