pilgrim people

I received news today from Casey Vander Ploeg, a member of Bethel URC in Calgary, Alberta, that the council of his church has formally approved a church plant in the nearby city of Airdrie, budget and all. It now goes to the congregation for ratification. This is wonderful news to hear that another URC church plant is soon to be launched. Planting churches is what the the Great Commission is all about. If we want to see how the apostles put Matthew 28 into practice, we should look at Acts 2, culminating in v.42: "and they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and the prayers." Throughout the Book of Acts, we see churches being planted in which the Kingdom of God spread and disciples were made through the means of Word and Sacrament in church overseen by officers.

May God cause another local manifestation of his Church come into being in the land of the Canadian Rockies, Calgary Flames, and sub-zero temps in the winter. Please keep Casey, the core group at Airdrie, and the overseeing Consistory as well as the congregation of the Calgary URC in prayer. Pray that the Lord supplies them with a good pastor soon. If you know anyone who lives near the Calgary/Airdrie area, be sure to direct them to this new work. You should be able to find out more information about the plant by contacting Bethel URC at http://orginal.bethelurc.org/index.asp

MGB