We are pleased to introduce to you Rev. Shane Bennett, organizing pastor of Reformation OPC in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Shane grew up in the small town of Edenville, Pennsylvania. His wife, Rachelle, was born in Portugal as a missionary kid and lived there through her high school years. Shane graduated from Westminster Seminary California in 2013 and served as pastor of Faith OPC in Fawn Grove, Pennsylvania for the last four years. The Bennetts have four children: Malachi (8), Isaiah (5), Eliana (4), and Esther (2). Shane looks forward to working with Reformation OPC through preaching the gospel, administering the sacraments, and reaching out to the community of southeast Grand Rapids with a focus on serving the students of Calvin College.

The challenges Christ Church has faced in recent months have been outweighed by the generous blessings of the Lord. There is a growing sense of love and unity among the members as well as a deep concern for the lost and underfed. New and returning visitors continue to come and are warmly received by the congregation. A Sunday evening prayer service has begun as well as regular youth discipleship meetings which meet once or twice a month. Two families will soon be moving from the area. While they will be greatly missed, others have joined the fellowship. Nine communicant members and eight non-communicant members were received in the month of August. A Sunday School class on evangelism has provided opportunities to learn how to share the

Organizing Pastor Bob Holda offers reasons for giving praise to God as well as prayer requests for Resurrection OPC. The Lord has provided new members [twelve this year] and an average of fourteen visitors per week. Some new visitors are interested in pursing membership. The offerings have increased and are covering 90% of the income goal. A four-year lease of their meeting place [with options for years five and six] has been arranged at an affordable rate. A women’s Bible Study is now underway and is expected to be well-attended. Pray for the four ordained elders in the group and their work with Pastor Holda in establishing long-range plans for the congregation. A meeting is set for September 16 for this purpose. Specifically pray for

Pastor Jason Kirklin reports that fourteen members have been added to the roles of Trinity OPC so far in 2019. In light of growing interest, another membership class may begin soon. Rejoice with Jason that giving has been strong. A current ministry emphasis is officer training with the use of the book The Elder, by Cornelius Van Dam, along with sermons on the pastoral letters. Pray for the ongoing outreach efforts to students at Baylor University. Last month, members participated in the Baylor Fair by welcoming students to a display table. Despite their less-than-optimal location, conversations took place with forty people. Students have visited Trinity as a result—some new, some from contacts made at last year’s fair. On Sunday, September

In his last report in May, evangelist Nick Lammé shared about an open house they hosted in the Memorial Hills neighborhood on the topic of grief. Nick mentioned a woman named Sandra in particular who came a bit reluctantly but left encouraged. In the weeks that followed, Nick was able to follow up with Sandra again. After talking for some time, Sandra opened up about her life, including her harrowing story of being rescued from the floodwaters of Hurricane Harvey, and her husband’s passing earlier this year. “I am thankful that I was able to console her and pray with her, especially since she does not consider herself a religious person. And I am grateful to the Lord for opening up this door for ministry which continues to today.” Please