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Discipleship Ministries of the PCA

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Biblical Manhood

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Biblical ManhoodThis spring, Grace Covenant PCA of Williamsburg, VA brought together 83 men, ranging from teenagers to college students to graduate students to single thirty-somethings to fathers and grandfathers, for a three-hour Saturday morning seminar on Rediscovering Biblical Manhood. The seminar, conducted by PCA Men’s Ministry Coach Gary Yagel, was what one participant called “a great opportunity for males of all ages to get a perspective on masculinity in our current culture.” Beginning with Genesis 2, the men compared what American culture is saying about masculinity with the mandate God gave Adam to live in the garden to “work it” and “keep it.”

Other sessions included a panel of Grace Covenant members discussing In the Dance with Woman What Does Authentic Manhood Look Like? Later in the morning, fathers and grandfathers were particularly challenged to consider What a Son Needs to Grow into Authentic Manhood. After lunch, the seminar closed with a look at Jesus: God’s Portrait of Manhood.

Over the lunch break, Gary met with the Grace Covenant men’s ministry leadership team to give suggestions and encouragement that was tailored to the unique needs of the congregation.

The impact of the seminar has been multi-faceted. The leadership is already planning a future event to discuss the topics raised in their time together. One elder reported that a participant picked up a copy of the book, Intimacy: God’s Design for Marriage, and was working to apply the principles in his marriage, to include a long-overdue date with his wife. In reflecting on the day, one man commented, “The material in this seminar meets a vital need in the church.”

We praise God for his blessing on the seminar and especially for the daily efforts of the leaders who are on the front lines of men’s ministry. If you would like information about hosting a Rediscovering Biblical Manhood seminar, call Gary Yagel at 301.570.5097 or go to his website www.forgingbonds.org.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Filed Under: Men

2014 Women’s Love Gift

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Starting in 1974, women in the PCA have supported an annual love gift to promote denominational connectionalism and demonstrate our corporate helper-design as women in the church. The money is raised in various ways such as donations, fundraisers, etc. The Women’s Love Gift has blessed committees and agencies such as MNA’s Special Needs Ministries, MTW’s efforts to support the Gonaives, Haiti, Children’s Home, and other such ministries. Showing the annual Women’s Love Gift in your church does several things: Educates the people in the pew, promotes unity and greater understanding of the PCA, and provides good opportunities for monies to be appropriately channeled to specific ministry needs. Below you will find information on the ministry we are supporting this year.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]

love-giftThe 2014 Women’s Love Gift is going

to support CDM!

The Women’s Ministry Love Gift for 2014 will benefit the work of PCA Discipleship Ministries (CDM, previously Christian Education and Publications), and particularly the work of discipleship among women in the PCA. Women play a life-giving role in the life and ministry of the Church, and we must seek to address the needs of women in our culture with the encouragement of Christ-centered community and the redemptive truth of God’s Word.

Your gift of $25, $50, $100, or any amount will equip women to understand God’s Word better through Bible study or to serve the body of Christ well through training designed to develop teachers and mentors. Our goal is to raise $120,000 with which we hope to create and distribute a variety of resources designed for women in the local church:Goal Thermometer-final

  • Video-based training for ministry leaders
  • Intergenerational resources for life-on-life discipleship
  • Exegetical Bible study materials
  • Scholarships for women to attend training events
  • “Seed money” to offer regional training throughout the PCA

If you’d like a way to promote this year’s love gift at your church then view our video below explaining our need or click here to order the same video in DVD format. We also have bulletin inserts available, click here to order those. (There is no charge for the DVD or bulletin inserts.)

How to Give
If you would like to contribute towards this love gift contact the Women’s Ministry Coordinator at your church or click here to make a contribution online. (The link will bring you to the general CDM online giving tool-just select ‘PCA Women’s 2014 Love Gift’ when prompted to designate the contribution.)

If you have any questions about this love gift, click here to contact your regional adviser.

Ordering and Useful Information:

  • The DVD and bulletin inserts are available at no charge. Order from the PCA Bookstore using the links below:
  • Click here for ideas and information on presenting the Love Gift in your church.
  • View the Love Gift video by scrolling down, or clicking here.
  • DEADLINE TO GIVE: FEBRUARY 28, 2015

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YXL—West at Horn Creek, CO

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In early July, about 100 youth and leaders, primarily from PCA churches in the West, gathered at Horn Creek camp near Westcliffe, CO, for the YXL (Youth eXcelling in Leadership) conference. The purpose went beyond an ordinary youth camp, as the students experienced a rigorous schedule designed to test and sharpen their leadership skills it also provided counselors with many opportunities to assess the students in their leadership development. YXL-West is one of a network of camps that are under the oversight of CEP. Consider these comments made by students as they closed the week with testimonies and prayer:

  • “The greatest amount of my [spiritual] growth over the last few years has been from this camp.”
  • “After the death of my aunt, YXL really refreshed me. I think I am now able to accept the story God has set out for me, rather than resisting it.”
  • “Last year was hard. I’ve had healing, but there are still scars. This week at YXL, I have been at peace. I’m at peace because Jesus has already won the race for me. Please pray that I will remember that throughout the year. I can face the trials [of life] because I can look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith.”
  • “During the prayer time on Thursday morning, God worked in my heart. In the devotion time that followed, I was reading in the Psalms and I began to pour out my heart to God for a half hour.”

The theme of this year’s YXL-West was “The Amazing Race.” TE Ryan Hughs, RUF Campus Minister at Colorado State University, taught every night from Hebrews 11, and other PCA pastors conducted seminars designed to help students better understand how to lead well in context of home, school, and church. Other YXL camps have been conducted in Ephrata, PA and at Covenant College.

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Check Out the Top 10 Books Sold at GA

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Top 10 Books Sold at General Assembly

Click titles to purchase your copy today!

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  1. Philippians-Reformed Expository Commentary
  2. Revelation: Let the One Who Is Thirsty Come
  3. Your Baby’s Baptism
  4. 2013 PCA Yearbook: 2 Volume Set
  5. Insourcing: Bringing Discipleship Back to the Local Church
  6. Christianity and World Religions: An Introduction to the World’s Major Faiths
  7. Briarpatch Gospel: Fearlessly Following Jesus into the Thorny Places
  8. Dangerous Calling: Confronting the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Ministry
  9. When Helping Hurts
  10. An Inquirer’s Guide to PCA

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Please Partner with us in the Ministry of CEP

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As CEP opens a new chapter under the leadership of Coordinator Stephen Estock, an important goal is to see growth in the number of PCA churches who contribute to the ministry. In 2012, 32% of PCA congregations contributed in some way to sustain the work of CEP. Our hope is to see over 50% of PCA churches express in a tangible way the connectional nature of our Presbyterian polity. Some churches are able to give much (e.g., above the “ministry ask” of $7/member), while others are only able to give a portion of their share (e.g., $100, $500, etc.). Whenever a congregation provides a gift (of any amount), it is a physical expression of encouragement and support. If your church is part of the 32%, we thank you for your partnership with us. If you are part of the 68% that has yet to contribute, we prayerfully ask you to join with us as we seek to connect and equip those who serve the local church in the area of discipleship ministries. If you don’t know if your church support CEP- ask your session.

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2013 Women’s Love Gift: Ridge Haven

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Starting in 1974, women in the PCA have supported an annual love gift to promote denominational connectionalism and demonstrate our corporate helper-design as women in the church. The money is raised in various ways such as donations, fundraisers, etc. The Women’s Love Gift has blessed committees and agencies such as MNA’s Special Needs Ministries, MTW’s efforts to support the Gonaives, Haiti, Children’s Home, and other such ministries. Showing the annual Women’s Love Gift in your church does several things: Educates the people in the pew, promotes unity and greater understanding of the PCA, and provides good opportunities for monies to be appropriately channeled to specific ministry needs. Below you will find information on the ministry we are supporting this year.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” interval=”3″ images=”2133,2132,2131,2130,2129,2128″ onclick=”link_image” custom_links_target=”_self” img_size=”200×200″][vc_column_text]Testimonial

Alexia Newman’s memories…

“When I think of places and events that have impacted my life and stir sweet memories, Ridge Haven is at the top of the list. I remember the first year Ridge Haven was a reality. I was staying in the brand new Lodge that was nice and new! We didn’t understand the impact then, but I think many sensed that this was going to be a special place. We had no idea what the Lord had in store from this incredible gift to the PCA from Ken and Polly Keyes!

I have watched the Lord call people to himself on the rec. field, on a hike to the waterfall, sitting by the pool, in a bunk bed late at night, in the chapel service, or after a conversation in the dining hall. God’s Spirit is always working at Ridge Haven!

At the 2013 General Assembly in Greenville, SC, I saw many men and women whom I met at Ridge Haven: Some were campers, others were counselors who came to Ridge Haven thinking they were pursuing one career but were called to full time ministry while serving for the summer, still others use their gifts to impact the school system, the medical profession, and the corporate world. We see them as ruling elders and women active in the work of the denomination. No doubt the training and experiences at Ridge Haven were formative in establishing their gifts and callings.

The beauty and rich heritage of Ridge Haven make it a special place where the Lord has blessed his people – from the covenant child to the senior saint!”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

heartThe 2013 Women’s Love Gift is going to support Ridge Haven!

Ridge Haven was established in 1978 by the PCA as a year-round ministry outreach to individuals, families, churches, PCA and other ministry organizations. Spiritual rejuvenation is as important as physical relaxation and Ridge Haven’s goal is to provide the means for you to have the opportunity for both.

A Growing Ministry
Over the last three years the Lord has given us extraordinary and even historic growth:

  • Serving people from 29 States
  • Conferences in conjunction with MTW, stretches the impact of our ministry worldwide
  • 2012 Summer Camp nearly quadrupled to almost
  • 1,700 campers
  • Fall, Winter, and Spring Retreats at an all-time high

The Love Gift
With all of the growth and improvements that have taken place at Ridge Haven, one thing has remained largely unchanged is their dining hall. It is simply not equipped to handle the growth. The Dining Hall represents much more than just somewhere to eat. With all of the different activities going on at Ridge Haven throughout the day, the Dining Hall is a special place where everyone can all gather together to share a meal, swap stories, laugh together, build friendships, and bond as one body of believers. Please help Ridge Haven to continue to be a place where all of this can be a reality as their ministry continues to grow.

If you’d like a way to promote this year’s love gift at your church then click here to view a video from Ridge Haven explaining their need or click here to order the same video in DVD format. We also have bulletin inserts available, click here to order those. (There is no charge for the DVD or bulletin inserts.)

How to Give
If you would like to contribute towards this love gift contact the Women’s Ministry Coordinator at your church or click here to make a contribution online. (The link will bring you to the general CEP online giving tool-just select ‘PCA Women’s 2013 Love Gift’ when prompted to designate the contribution.)

If you have any questions about this love gift, click here to contact your regional adviser.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]