Men of the Covenant
Rev. Elbert McGowan

Men, our second meeting of the Men of the Covenant is this Thursday (October 1). We continue with our theme for the fall, "A Man After God's Own Heart." This month Rev. Elbert McGowan, Reformed University Fellowship Minister at Jackson State University, will be speaking on the always pertinent topic of repentance.

Elbert is a native of Jackson, MS. He graduated from Alabama A&M University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. After working for several years, Elbert sensed the call of God to enter full time Christian ministry. In answer to this call, Elbert returned to Jackson to attend Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS), where he earned a Master of Divinity degree. In his final year of seminary, the Lord opened up the opportunity for Elbert to begin a new work with RUF on the campus of Jackson State. He has been serving the Lord with RUF at Jackson State for three years. Elbert is married to his lovely wife Karen. They have two children, Charis and Trip

Reservations are not required for the Men of the Covenant Luncheon. The cost of the lunch is $5 and will be collected at the door. If you have any questions, please contact Shannon Craft at 601-326-9243 or shannonc@fpcjackson.org

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Fall Discipleship Luncheon Series
Dr. Tom Elkin

We have the privilege of hearing from our own Minister of Marriage and Family Life, Dr. Tom Elkin, address the important topic of marriage on Tuesdays in October (Oct. 6th, 13th, 20th, and the 27th). Won't you join us?

"Potholes on the Path: The Seven Major Problem Areas of Marriage"

Whether you've been married one week or fifty plus years, you need Biblical instruction on how to face the seven major problem areas of marriage: money, sex, children, in-laws, values, vocations and communication. The series will be in Miller Hall with box lunches served each week beginning at 11:30 a.m. Each session will last from 12:00 to 12:45 p.m. The deadline to sign-up for the first session on October 6, is Monday, September 28. Watch the bulletin for sign-up deadlines for the remaining weeks. To sign up, contact Nan Whitney at 601-353-8316 or receptionist@fpcjackson.org.

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Men of the Covenant Luncheon
Rev. Brad Mercer

The Men of the Covenant Luncheon meets the first Thursday of the fall and spring quarters at First Presbyterian Church. This time is set apart for men in the church and in the wider Jackson-Metro area to gather for fellowship and spiritual encouragement. Each meeting is designed to equip Christian men for service in the Kingdom of God. The topics are chosen for specific application to personal devotion, work, family, and church life.

To kick off our Men of the Covenant theme for the fall, the Rev. Brad Mercer will be speaking on September 3, 2009, in Miller Hall on the subject of "Following God's Call"

Brad is a graduate of the University of Texas (B.S.), Reformed Theological Seminary (M.A.), and the University of Wales, Lampeter (M.Phil). He served as the Minister of Discipleship at First Presbyterian Church, Jackson for eight years. He is currently the Senior Minister of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Greenwood, MS. He is a frequent contributor to several online journals, including The Trinity Forum. He is a also a contributor to the recently published book, C.S. Lewis: Views from Wake Forest. He and his wife, Cindy, live in Greenwood. They have two children, Hannah, who is married and lives in Flowood, MS; and Harrison, who presently serves with the U.S. Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team stationed in Vicenza, Italy.

The luncheon is from 11:45am-1:00pm. No registration is required. There is a $5 charge for lunch. If you have any questions, please contact Shannon Craft in our Discipleship Ministry Area at shannonc@fpcjackson.org

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Young Adult Ministry

The Website

Some of you have been requesting an update on Young Adult Ministry at FPC Jackson. I’ve been tempted (in a good way) to pen a “state of the union” report for the blog or for the First Epistle to keep you up to date and to remind you of all the ways you can pray for and be involved in young adult ministry.

I’ve decided, however, to point you to the command center of our young adult ministry—our website. By visiting the website, you can see first hand all the great opportunities for young adults at FPC. While on the website, please sign up for our e-newsletter and join our facebook group. These are other great ways to stay up to speed with young adult ministry.

This is the time of year when we see more graduate students and young professionals move into the Jackson area to begin school or work. If you know a young adult member or recent visitor that is looking for a place to plug into the body life of FPC, please let Brad Mills, Steve Smith, or myself know. You will find all our contact information on the website!

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Fall 2009
DISCIPLESHIP GROUPS

For the past five years, FPC has invested in the lives of its members by offering and encouraging participation in discipleship groups. These small groups meet on Wednesday evenings following the fellowship dinner and emphasize personal growth, relationship building, and accountability.

We have been very encouraged by the response to this ministry and want to encourage those not involved to prayerfully consider joining one of these small groups. Our goal is discipleship and growth in grace. With the busyness of our world, we need to take time to stop, listen, pray, and wrestle with issues of spiritual growth together.

The prophet Jeremiah reminds us of the importance of this growth process: "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,' declares the Lord." (Jer. 9:23-24).

If you are not involved in our Wednesday evening discipleship groups, now is the time to join. To sign-up, call or email Shannon Craft in the Discipleship Office and you will be connected to a group.

601-326-9243 or shannonc@fpcjackson.org

DEADLINE - MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2009

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Missionary Spotlight

Jon and Tracy Eide, Ukraine

Jon & Tracy felt God's call to build the church in the Russian speaking world, and have been doing so with Mission to the World since 1997. They have worked with church plants in Nikolaev, Ukraine, Philadelphia, PA, and now in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. They feel privileged to have seen the church in Ukraine emerge and begin to become established during this time.

Jon serves as the city team leader helping to meet the needs of the Ukrainian church with people, materials, and finances. He serves the church plant by discipling young men, preaching, and teaching. Jon is ordained in the PCA, and enjoys running.

Tracy is a nurse by education, and cares for the family and home. She also serves the church and team through discipleship, prayer meetings, and hosting many visitors. Her favorite pastime is gardening.

Jon & Tracy have three children, Alison (5/24/96), Natalie (6/14/99), and Zachary (7/7/06), the youngest of whom they recently adopted from Ukraine. The girls attend an American school in Kiev where also they study Russian.

Please pray for the Eides as they minister in a country facing many challenges, and in need of the church.

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Missionary Spotlight

Davy and Pey , East Asia

Davy and Pey came from very different backgrounds, but followed similar paths toward ministry involvement in East Asia. Davy grew up in a Christian home and spent many of his childhood years in South Korea, where his parents were involved in medical missions.
Pey was born in Taiwan, in a non-Christian home, and immigrated with her family to the US at a young age. Both attended college in the US, Davy at UNC and Pey at Vanderbilt, and were involved in campus ministry during that time. After having graduated from college, both went to East Asia to be involved in campus ministry.

In East Asia they spent the bulk of their time doing evangelism and discipleship on university campuses and working with the small percentage of students who were able to attend college. After having completed separate shorter-term commitments in East Asia, they both committed to return long-term, which was the point at which they first met. When both of them had returned for long-term service, they were placed on the same campus team. During these two years of overlap, they courted and were engaged. In 2001, they planned to return to US to get married and pursue theological education, with a view toward returning to East Asia.

Pey and Davy were married in the summer of 2001 and both began theological study at Westminster Theological Seminary that fall. As a result of classes, church involvement, and becoming aware of the different opportunities for ministry that were developing, God began to place a desire in their hearts for work in the church. Upon graduating in 2005, Davy began a yearlong pastoral internship at Christ Community Church, a PCA church plant in Chapel Hill, NC. He was ordained for the ministry of assisting with indigenous church planting in East Asia in the summer of 2007.

In August 2007, Davy and Pey returned to a large urban center in East Asia, where they began working with a graduate transition ministry, as well as becoming involved in a house church movement. In July 2008, Davy transitioned to devoting his full ministry attention to giving direction to this house church network. In this capacity, he helps mentor, train, and give direction to the leaders of these house churches, as well as seeking to help facilitate continued growth and the planting of new house churches.

Pey and Davy have two children: Cooper, 3, and Sophie, 10 months. Pey spends the bulk of her time giving care to the children. Additionally, she has had some opportunities to use her counseling training both with expats in the missionary community in East Asia and with nationals within the church planting network.

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Missionary Spotlight

Jeff and Patty Borden, South Africa

Jeff is a teacher and facilitator at the Bible Institute of South Africa (BISA). There has never been a Bible training school in his specific area. His goal is to provide training school in the context and at a minimal cost. Most pastors in these areas have NO training at all, and many are hungry for Biblical training.

Two of Jeff and Patty’s children have been diagnosed with fairly serious health problems. Their oldest son did not cope very well in the US and is returning to South Africa. Please pray for his transition back to South Africa and for the Lord’s leading regarding his future. Their second son, Matthew is a senior and intends to study biology next year at Virginia Tech. Please also pray regarding his future. Their daughter Lydia has Celiac’s Disease (gluten intolerance), pray for her.

Please pray for Jeff’s wife as she prepares food regarding Lydia’s dietary restrictions (no wheat, barley, rye or oats). In South Africa, there are not very many ready-made gluten-free products available so this can be problematic.

Lastly, the past month has been very difficult for the Borden family. Please pray for some much-needed rest. .

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Missionary Spotlight

Bill and Allen Bradford, Peru

Bill and Allen Bradford have been laboring in Peru since February of 1999. As pastor in the Presbyterian Church in America, Bill’s primary responsibilities are mentoring pastoral candidates, teaching in the denominational seminary and serving as assistant editor of publications for the Peru Mission press. Bill and Allen have four children: Mollie (10), William (8), Hannah (5), and Andrew (2).

Bill and Allen have witnessed tremendous growth since they first moved to Peru eight years ago; in their own family (from one child to four), in their mission team (from two full-time families on the field to five), in their churches (various church plants and revitalizations), from no seminary to their 1st graduate.

Bill and Allen work with the Peru Mission Team of American missionaries and Peruvian church leaders working in Northern Peru with the purpose of co-laboring with God’s spirit to build genuine Christian communities which display a spiritual, social, cultural, educational and economic life that is molded, shaped and propelled by the Gospel. The team works within the Iglesia Evangelica Presbiteriana del Peru in the areas of church planting, leadership training, university ministry, translation and publication of Reformed literature, and mercy ministries.

By God’s grace Bill and Allen have seen solid advances in all their churches, both in Trujillo and Cajamarca. New people are visiting the churches, quite a few people are seeking to become members, the pastors are striving to deepen their relationships with their neighbors, the worship services are improving and small group discipleship programs have begun.

In addition, Bill and Allen have been able to take steps forward in the construction of most of their buildings. Please continue to pray for Pastors Ricardo, Eduardo and Guillermo, as well as for their new student intern, Percy Padilla.

The seminary has completed another year. One exciting development is that two of their pastors are nearing the completion of their work and are due to be ordained in a few months.

Bill and Allen praise the Lord for what He is doing among His humble servants in Peru. They ask for your prayers as they seek to serve the Lord in Peru that His church may grow and shine forth His glory.

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Missionary Spotlight

Wes and Jami Baker, Peru

Wes is a minister in the Presbyterian Church in America working with Peru Mission in the city of Trujillo. Wes grew up in rural Wilson County, Texas and graduated from Floresville High School in 1986. He studied at Texas A&M University, graduating in 1992 with a double degree in Biomedical Science and Philosophy.

In 1988 Wes married the former Jami Vaden of Seguin, Texas, and in December of 1992, with two children, they moved to Jackson to attend Reformed Theological Seminary. In the fall of 1993 Wes was called to be Student Supply Pastor of Lebanon Presbyterian Church (LPC) in Learned, MS. He finished his studies at RTS in December 1995 and was ordained as minister in Learned the following spring.

While serving at LPC, Wes became good friends with Alonzo Ramirez, a doctoral student from Peru, and together with classmate Bill Bradford, the three men visited Peru in the summer of 1996. Three weeks of travel, prayer, and late night conversations convinced the men that the Lord was calling them to form a church planting team to minister in Northern Peru. In February 2000, Wes and Jami packed up their family and their lives and moved to Cajamarca, Peru. With the arrival in March of 2000 of the Brad Ball family the team was complete.

The ministry in Peru has developed considerably since their arrival. The Ball and Baker families moved from Cajamarca to Trujillo in late 2001. The Bradfords moved down to the coastal city in 2005. Since then several more families have joined the team and the ministry has continued to grow. Wes's primary responsibilities involve teaching in the Seminario Biblico Reformado and mentoring Peruvian pastors and church planters. He has also been extensively involved in administration, recruiting, and development.Wes and Jami have seven children ranging in age from five to 19 years. Jami stays busy homeschooling the children, hosting visitors and teams, and teaching in the English Institute.

Wes states:
We are very grateful for the faithful prayers and generous support of First Presbyterian Church, as well as the summer teams that encourage us each year with their presence. The Lord has used FPC greatly to bless Peru Mission and the Baker Family as they minister in Northern Peru.

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