Like many good things, the Syrian Presbyterian Fellowship began with a relationship. A family from Homs, Syria, and a Californian Presbyterian pastor formed bonds that would bridge cultures and unite hearts.
Five years ago many Egyptians came to the U.S. during the time of the Arab Spring and Muslim Brotherhood rule with a desire to worship in the language of their heart, Arabic, which they describe as ‘the language of heaven.’
The Rev. Juan J. Sarmiento, associate director for mission with The Outreach Foundation, will preach opening worship and give the Tuesday morning plenary address at “Living, Dying, Rising,” the 2017 national gathering for 1001 New Worshiping Communities.
If the Rev. Karen Rohrer, director of the Church Planting Initiative at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, subscribes to any sort of watchword—outside of the words of Holy Scripture, that is—it might just be that timeworn phrase that “the only constant in life is change.” Because for Rohrer, it absolutely is.
The last thing that Laura Raffle wants to do on Valentine’s Day is have dinner out at a crowded restaurant.
“Although we of course recognize the holiday, I find Valentine’s Day to be a bit overrated in terms of romantic love,” says Raffle, a member of the 1,300-member First (Scots) Presbyterian Church in historic downtown Charleston, S.C. “What I really love is the fact that it’s a fun day for my kids to get a special treat and to make Valentine’s Day cards, especially my four-year-old daughter, who is just learning how to write. For me it’s all about showing my love
Like many seekers before him, the Rev. Amir Tawadrous came to American shores on a journey of discovery. Born and raised in Upper Egypt, Tawadrous had also lived with his family in France for two years before returning to Egypt to finish his Bachelor’s degree and later his Master of Divinity degree.
All across the landscape of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), as leaders of the denomination’s nearly 400 new worshiping communities continue to transform the church—and the world—by growing new disciples for Jesus Christ, they, too, hunger for a space in which to grow and be nurtured.
Church Glorious, a new multi-ethnic church in the San Gabriel Presbytery, just 19 miles east of Los Angeles, began last September as a Glorious Living Bible study with a core group of 25 people meeting in the home of the Rev. Dr. Kerry Allison and his wife, Oona.
Layne and Crawford Brubaker have taken church planting to the next level. Quite literally. With Okra Abbey, a new worshiping community (NWC) located in the Pigeon Town neighborhood of New Orleans, the Brubakers, together with ministry colleague, Vincent Grossi, are more than just blooming where they’re planted—they’re cultivating community by growing not only vegetables, but also by nurturing faith and trust among their diverse neighbors.