ISSN 0362—0816


THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED


PRESBYTERIAN VOL. 47 NO. 4


Susan L. Tanner, Editor arpeditor@arpsynod.org


Kevin Owens, Graphic Designer


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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society. Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


RNATIONAL V VERS 9 6 PRESBYTERIAN


THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED


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Contents/Features General Synod Coverage


July/August 2022


Pre-Synod, Opening Worship, approved motions, and highlights from boards, committees, and special committees of the 2022 General Synod meeting. —Susan Tanner


Moderator’s Challenge - Advance the Gospel We are to be good stewards of the gifts God has given us for the glory of Jesus Christ as the gospel is advanced in the world and our calling, the calling of the church is to “Advance the Gospel!” —Bill McKay


Synod Emphasis - Advancing with Truth  advance to victory as we follow the pillars of Christ’s light and truth. —Drew Goodman


14 Synod Emphasis - Advancing the Gospel as Mission- aries & Educators You have the responsibility and privilege of coming alongside young believers, discipling and educating them in the ways of the Lord. —Martin Dendekker


AGENCIES Bonclarken


Erskine College & Seminary


22 Outeach North America 23 World Witness 24 Women’s Ministries


The Church’s One Foundation C


By Susan Tanner


elebrating a huge milestone and giving all the credit to God, Gaston Community Church in Gasto- nia, NC, paid off its 15-year debt in six years. Beginning in 2008, Gaston Community was a church plant from First ARP Gastonia meeting in Gaston Christian School. In 2019, they began building


their own facility, and in 2022, they were able to pay off the debt. Rev. Mark Tankersley led the time of worship and praise by reading Exodus 33:12-23. “In each verse,


 we can rest in Him. We are a people of God called out to be his children,” Tankersley said. Tankersley closed in prayer asking, “God show us your glory and continue to be at work in this place.”  space, etc. They were all invited to speak to the congregation. John McGill from First Gastonia is excited about the future of the Gaston Community. Brian Such, ARP Center, encourages the congregation to con- tinue being good stewards and reaching the community as their name says. Ansel Overbee, who allowed  giving to the kingdom of God and not to a bank. Elder Doug Stover closed by saying, “Let us never tire of being thankful. God has walked with us.” The service closed with the hymn, The Church’s One Foundation. Following the service, all congregation members and guests were invited to a reception and to help build a memorial with stones. The congrega- tion wrote a favorite Bible verse or quote and placed the stones on a concrete pad across the parking lot. The memorial is to signify what God has done to lead the church on this journey. It is not only that we have been here but, more importantly, that God has been present. The church hopes that future generations will hear the testimony of the steadfast love and faithfulness


of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As in the days of Samuel, “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer, for he said, “till now the Lord has helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12).


2 The Associate Reformed Presbyterian


16 Family Pages 17


EVERY MONTH Prayer Calendar


25 ARPinterest 26 News In Brief 30


All in Our Family 31 Classified Ads


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