Welcome 2020!
With the new year come new opportunities to share the Gospel and call people to respond. Pray that God's people will be faithful to that call. Please prayerfully consider a gift to MNA as we serve those who proclaim the Good News.
Thank you for your prayers and gifts to Mission to North American as we share the love of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ through church planting, church renewal, and missional partnerships across the United States and Canada. Your generosity has been used by Jesus to further our many avenues of ministry.
Mission to North America
PO Box 890233
Charlotte NC 28289-0233
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Considering Church Planting?
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“I’m leaving feeling that this is one of the best things I’ve seen going on in the PCA.”…
Fantastic week of learning, growing, stretching, and fellowship…Appreciate all the encouragement. ”
Considering Church Planting?
Then the MNA Assessment Center is for you.
The cost of assessment is less than half of one month’s salary and operating expenses for a typical church plant, and a very wise investment that individuals, churches and presbyteries can make in starting a new church
.
The next open Assessment date is April 14-17, 2020 with an application deadline of February 17.
Please plan ahead! An absolute three-week lead time minimum is required prior to each application deadline in order to apply, and we often run at capacity. Not convinced? Here are a few more kudos for MNA Assessment:
“The assessors were the most valuable component of the AC… Loved the process, conversations, insight and the people. This is a life-long memory that I will certainly cherish…Getting the opportunity to learn from others in church planting and peers interested in serving the Lord in a similar way. It doesn’t happen often in the “real world” context and I felt supported and encouraged and challenged…. So much grace and love for those attending…I loved assessment, was encouraged and I’m leaving feeling that this is one of the best things I’ve seen going on in the PCA.”
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MNA Church Planter Assessment Centers
At MNA we know that you want to be sure that you have what it takes plant a healthy church.
In order to do that, you need clarity in your calling, assurance of your character, and affirmation of your competencies.
The problem is a lack of confidence which makes you feel doubt (Am I cut out for this?) and fear (Is my spouse with me in this? What will this do to my family? Will people follow and fund us?)
We believe God works in and through his redeemed people – as flawed and afraid as we are – to be courageous church planters.
We’ve been in your shoes having had similar doubts and fears, which is why we provide the best church planter assessment possible for you, staffed with grace-filled experienced church planters and their spouses.
The MNA Assessment Center will bring clarity and confidence to your fitness for church planting.
Read more
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Accepting PCA Unity Fund Applications Through March 30
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Out of 4,882 Teaching Elders in the PCA, only 1% are African American, .8% Hispanic American, and 10% Korean/Korean American.
The PCA Unity Fund aims to increase these numbers through training, mentoring and developing minority leadership in the PCA, primarily through providing tuition subsidies to support training at reformed institutions. There are both ordained and non-ordained options
.
Click here
to learn more about The PCA Unity Fund and
here
to access the applications. Deadline is March 30, 2020.
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The Gift of Quality Training
During this holiday season LAMP Seminary thanks God for the opportunity to offer the gift of quality training to many students preparing for the Gospel ministry. LAMP’s vision has always been to provide quality training at an affordable price with a schedule of learning that fits into everyday life. As LAMP approaches its 40th graduate and with new students being enrolled every month, LAMP Seminary is posed to continue to give the gift trained servants of the Gospel to the Church of Jesus Christ.
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
Brian Kelso
President, LAMP Theological Seminary
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What Makes the LAMP Seminary Program Special?
These two LAMP students explain the value of a LAMP education:
"LAMP has allowed me to pursue an MDIV in preparation for ordination while at the same time working a full-time job and having a balanced family life. The study materials, lectures, and in-class time are all first-rate. I am so grateful that God led me to the LAMP program. I don't think another program would have met my needs so perfectly." - Brian Lum Shue Chan - 8 classes remaining until graduation
"When I was researching my options for pursuing a MBTS, LAMP Theological Seminary quickly emerged as the best fit for me. Classes are held at my church, and the program is affordable. The books and lectures are excellent quality, and I've enjoyed the weekly discussions with other students. I'm thankful the LAMP program exists because it has enabled me to follow God's call on my life while I continue to work." - Leslie Miller - almost completed Year 1 of a MBTS
These men both study at Covenant Church, a LAMP Learning Site in Palm Bay FL.
Click here to hear from Executive Pastor Jonathan Culley on how the LAMP program enriches the church.
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What Is Your Cultural Intelligence?
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“All of us – newcomers as well as the people who are in the dominant culture or feel at home in it – can use Intercultural intelligence to understand one another better, to build relationships across cultural lines, and to benefit from the diversity that will characterize our twenty-first century realities.”
Understanding Us and Them
, Pennylyn Dykstra-Pruim
"Among many congregations in America, Sunday morning at 11 remains to be a segregated hour. Nevertheless, there have been excellent movements within the PCA to welcome and include the ethnic minorities that God has placed all around us. I find few tools as helpful to prepare me to minister to others outside my culture than the IDI." – A recent Assessment Center candidate
"Cultural Intelligence is the ability to function effectively across various cultural contexts." – Resilient Ministry
Is your ministry context one in which you interact with a wide variety of people and cultures? Or…do you feel like you don’t interact
enough
with people who are different than you? Finding out about your “cultural IQ” is a stepping stone to deepening and enriching relationships with others who are different than you. MNA is offering the opportunity to take the Intercultural Development Inventory followed by an individual debrief of the results, including a personalized development plan you can use going forward. There is a cost for this service, but it’s an investment well worth making if you want to grow in this crucial area of life and ministry. You can read
here
for more information, or contact Ann Powers at
idi@pcanet.org
.
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How can we build genuine unity and reconciliation in the church in America? Using cultural or ethnic or gender identity markers to define ourselves will not promote deep reconciliation. God reminds us that rich oppressor and poor oppressed, those with cultural power and those without, have now become the one people of God, identified as “one in Christ.” We pray that the 2020 Reconciliation and Justice Conference will fan the flames of our unity and heighten our witness to a watching world.
Click here
for details.
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How can churches engage with the arts?
Does your church have under-utilized resources? Do you have a desire to work with your community but don’t know where to start? Do you have creative ideas but no more capacity to start another program?
Sharing your resources and programs responds to our biblical calling to live in community with others. Not to mention, creative partnerships between churches and outside organizations are often the key to unlocking financial stability, increasing your community impact, and expanding your church or organization’s mission.
Redeemer Presbyterian Church and the Harrison Center for the Arts have creatively shared a building, resources, and even a calendar for 20 years. Their partnership continues to facilitate powerful cross-pollination between the arts, the church, and the community. At the Convertible Conference, explore their model, learn the joys and challenges of sharing, and consider ways to creatively leverage the resources already in your community. Speakers include Dr. Philip Ryken, Joanna Taft, Jennifer Craft and more! Get your ticket today at
https://www.convertibleconference.com/
.
March 6-7, 2020 | Pre Conference March 5
Indianapolis IN
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Bent Tree Fellowship Gathering
April 20-23, Orkney Springs VA.
This gathering is for pastors who desire to sharpen and hone their gifts as servant leaders. God has entrusted each of us with many gifts, but how and when we use our gifts is a critical wisdom issue in ministry. Leadership in the local church is a foot washing exercise and motif (John 13) developed through brokenness and failure. Hence, the words of Jesus "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves."
Click here
for more information.
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Metanoia Prison Ministries Is Looking for Mentors in TN and SC
Do you live in the Chattanooga, TN or Greenville, SC area?
If you do, are you interested in mentoring a prisoner one on one, in person? If you are interested, please contact Mark Casson at
mcasson@pcanet.org
. We would love to have you join us in the community mentoring ministry. Learn more about MNA Metanoia Prison Ministries
here
.
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MNA SecondCareer Seeking English Instructors in D.C. area
MNA SecondCareer Ministry has both volunteer and paid service opportunities for adults of all ages. For example,
Pastor Chris Sicks is seeking volunteers to teach English as a Second Language to students at For the Nations DC,
and serve in a missional capacity by developing personal relationships with students and their families. Training is available. For the Nations DC’s mission is to provide English language instruction and other educational services that help meet the practical needs of refugees, asylees, and immigrants, and share the gospel of Jesus Christ with them. Learn more about this and other opportunities at
www.pcamna.org/second-career or contact Barbara Campbell, MNA SecondCareer Facilitator, at
bcampbell@pcanet.org (phone 804-339-5005).
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Looking for a PCA Church?
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Know someone who's moving? Be sure to suggest they
check this list
of new church plants around North America as they look for a new church home. Don't see a new plant in a possible destination on the list? Contact us (678-825-1235) and we'll try to find out more information for you! You may also want to visit the
PCA Church Directory
for a list of established churches.
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Check Out Our Other Publications
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Pray for Our PCA Church Planters
The Intercessor is a quarterly letter with prayer requests from PCA church planters and MNA Ministry Leaders. The requests are organized by week, making it easy to follow along in individual or group devotions. They have expressed many times how grateful they are for prayer support.
Click here
to read online, where you will also see subscription options to receive the Intercessor by mail or email.
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Subscribe to Multiply and Learn More about MNA
Multiply, available as both a print or email newsletter, goes out three times a year and brings you news from the church planting field as well as special features on MNA ministries.
Click here
to read. Want to subscribe?
Click here
- it's free! There is an email edition as well as print.
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