OPC Committee on Foreign Missions
The foreign missions work of the Orthodox
Presbyterian Church is
conducted through its Committee on Foreign Missions (composed of nine
ministers and six ruling elders elected by the general assembly) as a
part of the Church's total Worldwide Outreach program. Realizing that
God upholds, directs, and disposes all things by his most wise and holy
providence, we are committed to pursue the opportunities he presents to
us to further the proclamation of the gospel to the nations, always
bearing in mind that ultimately he is the one who provides the clear
and focused opportunity, the necessary personnel, and the required
support. The objectives for the work on each of our ten current mission
fields—China, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Haiti, Japan, Kenya, Korea,
Quebec, Suriname, and Uganda—are the same:
- That the gospel of sovereign redemption through
the
substitutionary work of Christ be proclaimed in all its fullness in all
the world, not only being expressed by word but also being accompanied
by the deeds of love to God and man which must flow from it.
- That
the unbelieving be warned of eternal punishment and by God's grace
understand the gospel, believe it, and live redeemed lives.
- That
indigenous Reformed churches be established which will provide
fellowship and instruction, and make the gospel known in its own
culture and in others.
- That above all the one true and living God
shall be praised and worshipped.
- That
these objectives be sought only by means that are in accord with the
Scriptures, both means and end thereby producing the overall objective,
the glory of God.
For more information, see the
OPC
web page on foreign missions.
OPC Home Missions and Church Extension
"Home Missions has been a vital part of the
Orthodox Presbyterian
Church since her inception. The first General Assembly erected the
Committee on Home Missions and Church Extension. Before that Assembly
completed its business, the Committee met for the first time. Within
six months, the first home missionary was on his way to Washington,
D.C."
"The Committee is composed of nine ministers and
six ruling elders,
elected to three-year terms by the General Assembly."
"The Committee sees its work as that of assisting the sixteen
presbyteries in their establishment and care of new churches throughout
North America. It is the presbyteries which authorize the beginning of
new mission works and oversee their progress and development. It is the
presbyteries which approve and call qualified men to work as church
planters. The Committee stands in support of the presbyteries' work."
For more information see the OPC
web page on Home Missions
Paraguay
In addition to the missions we support through the
denomination, our
congregation has special interest in work being done in Paraguay by
"our own" Daniel Hough and his family.
Dan is serving as a Missionary Associate
with SIM in
Caazapa, Paraguay. He and Sara, with sons Elijah and Tobin, left
Rochester (and Memorial OPC) in January of 2006 to begin their four
year missionary service in Paraguay. They since have welcomed two more
children into their family, Samantha and more recently Silas. They have
also moved to
Caazapa to be immersed in language study, and their goal is to come
alongside the Church and work with the unreached youth of that area in
evangelistic and discipleship ministry.
They returned to the
U.S. and Rochester in February 2010 for a year-long furlough. We are
excited to have
them spend time with us
again, even though they will have to spend quite a bit of time "on the
road." Their schedule will involve some speaking engagements on the
work in Paraguay and will of
course include reports to their supporters in other areas of the
country.
Other Missions
Middle
East Reformed Fellowship ...a
religious, non-profit and non-political charitable organization,
serving in the Middle East on behalf of Reformed Family of Churches and
believers worldwide. It is for those who are committed to proclaim the
historic Christian faith as expressed in the early ecumenical creeds
and the confessions of the Reformation.
Rochester Christian School At Rochester Christian School we believe that
knowledge of God and a life of faithful and joyous service to God
begins in the home and is furthered in the school and the church. We
believe one of the most important things parents can do is to provide a
good Christian education for their children, and that the Christian
school is an extension of the Christian home.
“Come
Over and Help” ...an
organization committed to providing aid to churches and christians in
Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Our foundation is the Bible, which is the Word of God. COAH adheres to the
revealed truths and principals in that Word in accord with the Three
Forms of Unity (Heidelberg Catechsim, Canons of Dordt, Belgic
Confession) and the Westminster Confession.