Changing Lives
God is changing lives through First Thai-Laotian Presbyterian Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. This smaller membership congregation, led by its organizing pastor Prachuab Dechawan and his wife, Gloria, is reaching out with people of all cultures and situations in life.
One of the lives that has been changed is Ron Waters. Ron, a drug user who spent 17 years in prison, was homeless. He camped out behind a bush at Westminster Presbyterian Church, where the Thai-Laotian church nests. He bathed with the garden hose when no one was around. His food came from the Westminster Food Pantry.
One Sunday night when Ron was sitting on the patio in front of the church building, Carey Allen invited Ron inside for the English language Bible study class. When Ron walked in, a young girl met him. Ron says, “Heather jumped into my arms and said, ‘I’ve missed you so much.’ Later I realized that was God speaking to me. From then on my life changed. I no longer had any desire for drugs. Now the church is my family.” Ron is currently training to be a lay pastor.
A member of the Thai-Laotian church provided work and a place to live for Ron and two of his homeless companions, Mark Perez and Robert Schrader. All three continue to be drug and alcohol-free and active members of the congregation. This congregation now has a special concern for changing the lives of the homeless.
39 organizing groups to share $214,000
Grants will support congregation-based community programs
LOUISVILLE — The Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP) in partnership with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Small Church and Community Ministry office, recently allocated $214,000 to 39 congregation-based community organizations (CBCOs) in urban and rural areas across the country.
They are among the hundreds of Presbyterian U.S. congregations making a difference in their local communities through CBCOs.
CBCOs are broad-based coalitions of congregations working in partnership with other community organizations that address quality of life issues such as affordable housing, public healthcare for children, living wage and public education.
Grants are provided to support training for lay leaders, pastors, middle governing bodies staff and seminarians to develop the skills for congregational-based community organizing.
“Presbyterian congregations and their leaders are working together through congregational-based community organizations with other churches and faith communities to effectively address poverty-related issues impacting their larger communities,” said the Rev. Phil Tom, associate for the PC(USA)’s Small Church and Community Ministry office. Keep reading this story.
To close or not to close: that was the question
By Diana A. Stephen
Deacon Jody Goodwin, her daughter, Aimee, her granddaughter, Nola Grace, and
Elder LaVerna House. Photo by Ann Marie Simone To close or not to close? Three and a half years ago
that was the question facing the members and friends of the North Turner Union
Presbyterian Church, a congregation in Androscoggin County, Maine, that had been
serving its community since 1878. Attendance at worship had dwindled to six and
the Presbytery of Northern New England had appointed an Administrative Commission.
This group of faithful and committed members was not very happy about this action
of presbytery. Rather than getting stuck in their displeasure, they marshaled
their energy and resources with the determination that North Turner Union Presbyterian
Church would live.
As a member of The Mission at the Eastward (MATE), a cooperative
parish of eight churches in central Maine, this congregation had an immediate
resource. If the church at North Turner was determined to live, the people of
MATE would surround it with their loving support. A team from the MATE churches
was formed to be present with the North Turner church as it began to move through
a process that proved to be transforming.
This team, together with representatives from the presbytery,
joined the members of North Turner as they began this time of transformation.
Members of the team demonstrated their commitment by regularly attending the
meetings. This required them to travel great distances. Distance is one of the
characteristics of rural communities. The geographical scope of this cooperative
parish covers 60-100 miles and the geographical breadth of the presbytery is
far greater.
Goals were set for the congregation. Challenged by how they
might be fulfilled in the specified time, the larger group began to exchange
ideas about ministry and mission. Participants from the presbytery and
other MATE churches began to show up for worship to demonstrate through their
presence support of the North Turner Church. The congregation began to realize
that God wasn’t finished with them yet. The Holy Spirit was truly present
and empowering them. Keep reading this story. |
