Mission to Albania

An Alternative Plan for PCA Renewal

Albert Kona — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 21:01:59 +0000

On April 30, 2010 the Rev Dr Jon Payne published, on the Heidelblog, an outline of an alternative to the proposed PCA Strategic Plan. Since that post the NW Georgia Presbytery has taken up this matter. What follows is their “Alternative Plan for PCA Renewal” with a preface by the Rev Dr Payne. This is also taken from The Heidelblog.

NWGP’s “Alternative Plan for PCA Renewal”
with a brief Preface by Rev. Dr. Jon D. Payne, minister of Grace Presbyterian Church, Douglasville, Georgia.

Dear Friends of the PCA,

On Saturday, May 22, 2010 the Northwest Georgia Presbytery voted to send an “Alternative Plan For PCA Renewal” overture to this year’s PCA General Assembly in Nashville, Tennessee. The “Alternative Plan” is not an attempt to cause further division in the PCA. On the contrary, the overture is simply meant to unite and renew our denomination in the theology and practice of Westminster Presbyterianism.

A majority of the members of the Northwest Georgia Presbytery believe that if our PCA churches and presbyteries return to the rich theology and practice of Reformed Confessionalism, as reflected in the seventeen point summary below, we will know and experience the spiritual renewal and reformation that we all eagerly desire. We believe that many PCA elders will identify more with this “Alternative Plan” and be pleased to have before them a positive, biblically-based alternative to the elaborate “PCA Strategic Plan” of the Cooperative Ministries Committee (CMC).

Recently, while reading D. A. Carson’s excellent little book entitled The Cross And Christian Ministry, it was hard not to think of our own denomination and the proposed “PCA Strategic Plan” when coming across the following section:

Western Evangelicalism tends to run through cycles of fads. At the moment, books are pouring off the presses telling us how to plan for success, how “vision” clearly consists in clearly articulated “ministry goals,” how the knowledge of detailed profiles of our communities constitutes the key to successful outreach. I am not for a moment suggesting that there is nothing to be learned from such studies. But after a while one may perhaps be excused for marveling how many churches were planted by Paul and Whitefield and Wesley and Stanway and Judson without enjoying these advantages. Of course all of us need to understand the people to whom we minister, and all of us can benefit from small doses of such literature. But massive doses sooner or later dilute the gospel. Ever so subtly, we start to think that success more critically depends on thoughtful sociological analysis than on the gospel; Barna becomes more important than the Bible. We depend on plans, programs, vision statements – but somewhere along the way we have succumbed to the temptation to displace the foolishness of the cross with the wisdom of strategic planning. Again, I insist, my position is not a thinly veiled plea for obscurantism, for seat-of-the-pants ministry that plans nothing. Rather, I fear that the cross, without ever being disowned, is constantly in danger of being dismissed from the central place it must enjoy, by relatively peripheral insights that take on far too much weight. Whenever the periphery is in danger of displacing the center, we are not far removed from idolatry. (Carson, The Cross And Christian Ministry, 25-26; emphasis mine)

Dear friends, the remedy to our denominational maladies is not the implementation of what some see as a fairly complex, mildly therapeutic, sociologically savvy strategic vision. Rather, what the PCA needs – in fact, what every NAPARC denomination always needs – is a clear, uncompromising call to biblical and confessional renewal, renewal that is on God’s terms, not man’s. It really is that simple. Indeed, God intended it to be. This way, when the elect are converted, sanctified (renewed) and comforted by the primary means of 1) faithful preaching, 2) biblical administration of the sacraments, and 3) steadfast prayer, then God gets all the glory. “Therefore, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord’” (I Corinthians 1:31; see also WSC Q. 88).

Many believe that the current problems in the PCA have less to do with cultural irrelevancy and insensitivity, and more to do with a lack of confidence in the sufficient, efficacious means that God Himself has promised to bless for the health and extension of His kingdom. Perhaps we – the PCA – should examine ourselves, and ask ourselves some searching, even convicting questions – questions that may help us to recognize our current problems: Why the upturn in topical, loosely textual, media/story driven sermons? Why the downturn in exegetical, Christ-centered, lectio-continua Bible preaching? Why the upturn in focus upon missional broadness, social programs and eco-gospel ministry? Why the downturn in substantial prayer in public worship? Why the absence of congregational prayer meetings? Why the upturn in focus upon women possessing greater roles in worship and denominational leadership (“direction and development”)? Why the downturn in sessions boldly calling men to lead their families and Christ’s Church (i.e. public worship, family worship)? The main goal or plan of the PCA for the next forty years should be a courageous, God-centered, joyfully reverent return to Reformed Faith and practice, as set forth in the Westminster Standards and her sister confessions (e.g. The Three Forms of Unity). This is a call to renewal that we should all be able to get behind.

In conclusion, the CMC asserts that the PCA must provide “safe places” for discussing “new ideas” in order to “advance” our denomination’s faithfulness to “biblical belief, ministry and mission” (Strategic Plan, 17). This writer couldn’t agree more. However, what we must recognize is that there have been “safe places” provided for rigorous theological debate and denominational discussion since 1973. These “safe places” are called church courts, constituted of men whom God Himself has set apart for ordained leadership in His Church. Therefore, may this simple alternative overture to the CMC’s “Strategic Plan” be received as another voice at the PCA table, encouraging honest discussion on the best means to denominational renewal.

_________________________

The following is the NWGP’s “Alternative Plan for PCA Renewal” overture. The 17 points for renewal are not meant to be a “strategy” or “vision” per se, but simply to turn our attention back to Reformed orthodoxy andorthopraxy. Some will identify several of these points below as growing weaknesses in the PCA and American Evangelicalism in general. The Scriptural and confessional references underscore that this call for renewal is unequivocally biblical and confessional.

_________________________

Overture from Northwest Georgia Presbytery
“An Alternative Plan for PCA Renewal”

Whereas, the “PCA Strategic Plan” is a well-intentioned effort by the Cooperative Ministries Committee to address some of the perceived downward trends in the Presbyterian Church in America; and

Whereas, these apparent problems include a decline in membership, disunity and non-cooperation, and a lack of vision for twenty-first century missions; and

Whereas, the framers of this “Strategic Plan” have worked diligently to set forth a proposal that they believe will make the PCA a stronger, healthier denomination; and

Whereas, many will join with us in believing that the “PCA Strategic Plan” is misguided in its program for spiritual renewal, and view the downward trends in our denomination as having less to do with the various factors described in the “Strategic Plan,” and more a consequence of our unwillingness, as elders, to give ourselves wholeheartedly to what God, in His Word, has promised to bless for the health and extension of His kingdom; and

Whereas, the “PCA Strategic Plan,” among other things, seeks to cultivate spiritual renewal in the PCA by promoting “safe places” for theological discussion, “more seats at the table” of denominational development for women, young people, and minorities, and a closer working relationship with the “Global Church” in the area of missions; and

Whereas, while some may view these strategic proposals as leading the PCA towards a stronger future, many others will be uncomfortable with this strategy, believing that lasting spiritual renewal can come only through the outwardly foolish and weak means to which God has attached His saving promises; and

Whereas, the various committees already have the ability to sponsor “safe” discussions (these have been occurring for years in General Assembly and presbytery forums and seminars), and the nominating process has an adequate method of recommending seats at various tables; thus, short of specific BCO amendments, any merited aspects of these targets may already be pursued; and

Whereas, presbyteries, sessions, and other regional conferences—instead of by a top-down committee process—are the prime places for healthy discussion and for the generation of methods to improve our corporate life, and frequently do so with less vested interests; and

Whereas, some believe this “Strategic Plan” will create even further division in the PCA; and

Whereas, the greatest and most urgent need of the Presbyterian Church in America is not a complex strategy, but a clarion call to renew our avowed commitment to the Biblical, Reformed, Confessional, and Presbyterian Faith – a system of doctrine which has, for centuries, cultivated God-glorifying unity, humility, worship, spiritual/numerical growth, mission, service, sacrifice, giving, and cooperation all over the world; and

Whereas, our present need as a denomination is to rekindle our commitment to foundational Reformed doctrine and practice, reflected, in part, in the seventeen points listed below; and

Whereas, it is our conviction that a faithful implementation of these biblical doctrines and practices into the life and ministry of our presbyteries and churches will yield an abundance of spiritual fruit; and

Whereas, renewal on God’s terms cannot – and will not – fail;

Therefore, the Northwest Georgia Presbytery overtures the 38th General Assembly to call all its congregations and presbyteries to this simple, straightforward, unambiguously biblical call for renewal as an alternative to the complex and potentially divisive “PCA Strategic Plan,” except for the funding proposal already presented by the Administrative Committee, which this overture wishes neither to condemn nor support. And let us trust that in the coming years God will enable us, by His Spirit, to faithfully employ the spiritual means that He Himself has already provided us.

17 Points for PCA Renewal

A renewed commitment to the centrality of the God-ordained, efficacious means of exegetical, Christ-centered, application-filled, expository preaching (Is. 55:10-11; Ez. 37:1-10; Jn. 21:15-17 Mk. 1:38; Acts 2:42; 20:26-27; I Cor. 1:22-25; 2 Tim. 4:2-4; WLC 67, 154-5).

A renewed commitment to the centrality of the God-ordained, efficacious means of baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Gen. 17:9-11; Ex. 12; Mt. 26:26-29; 28:19; I Cor. 10:16-17; 11:17-34; Col. 2:11-15; I Pet. 3:21; Rev. 19:6-9; WLC 154; 161-177).

A renewed commitment to the centrality of the God-ordained means of private, family and corporate prayer (Ps. 63; Mt. 6:5-15; Mk. 1:35; Acts 6:4; Eph. 1:15-23; Phil. 1:9-11; I Thess. 5:17; I Tim. 2:1; WLC 154; 178-196).

A renewed commitment to – and delight in – the Lord’s Day (Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 20:8-11; Is. 58:13-14; Mk. 2:23-28; Jn. 20:1;19; Acts 20:7; Rev. 1:10; WCF 21).

A renewed commitment to worship on God’s terms, according to Scripture (Ex. 20:4-6; Lev. 10:1-3; Deut. 12:32; Jn. 4:23-24; Acts 2:42; Col. 2:18-23; Heb. 10:24-25; 12:28-29; WCF 21.1).

A renewed commitment to private, family, and public worship (Ps. 63; Mt. 6:6, 16-18; Neh. 1:4-11; Dan. 9:3-4; Deut. 6:4-6; Eph. 6:1-4; Ps. 100:4; Acts 2:42; Heb. 10: 24-25; WCF 21.5-6).

A renewed commitment to wed our missiology to Reformed ecclesiology (Mt. 28:18-20; Acts 14:19-23; 15:1-41; 20:17, 28; I Cor. 11:17-34; The Pastoral Epistles; Titus 1:5; WCF 25; 30-31).

A renewed commitment to loving, Word and Spirit-dependent, prayerful and courageous evangelism (Mt. 5:13-16; 28:18-20; Acts 4:1-13; I Peter 3:15-16; WLC 154-7).

A renewed commitment to biblical church discipline (Mt. 18:15-20; I Cor. 5:1-13; 11:27-29; II Thess. 3:6, 14-15; I Tim. 5:20; WLC 45; WCF 30).

A renewed commitment to biblical diaconal ministry (Acts 6:1-7; Phil. 1:1; I Tim. 3:8-13).

A renewed commitment to catechize our covenant children in our homes and churches (Deut. 6:4-6; Prov. 22:6; Mk. 10:13-16; Eph. 4:12-13; 6:1-4; WSC).

A renewed commitment to biblical masculinity and femininity (Gen. 2:18-25; Deut. 31:6-7; Prov. 31:10-31; I Cor. 16:13; I Peter 3:1-7; Eph. 5:22-33; I Tim. 2:11-15; WLC 17).

A renewed commitment to entrust the leadership of the Church into the hands of the ordained leadership (Jn. 21:15-17; I Tim. 5:17; Heb.13:17; I Pet. 5:1-3; WLC 45).

A renewed commitment to the Reformed Confession which we have avowed, before God and men, to promote and defend as our system of doctrine (I Tim. 6:12; Heb. 4:14; 10:23; Jude 3; Westminster Standards).

A renewed commitment to the mortification of sin and worldliness (Rom. 6:11-14; 8:13; 12:1-2; I Cor. 6:12; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 4:20-24; I John 2:15-17; Gal. 6:14; WLC 76-7).

A renewed commitment to the doctrine of justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, apart from works of the law (Gen. 15:6; Hab. 2:4; Rom. 1:16-17; 3:21-26; 4:1-5; 5:1; Gal. 2:15-16; 3:10-14; Phil. 3:1-11; WCF 11).

A renewed commitment to rest, by faith, in Christ alone for salvation, without minimizing Gospel obedience (i.e. the third use of the law) / (Rom. 1:5; 6:1-2; 8:5-8; II Cor. 7:1; Col. 1:28; Eph. 4:1; 5:1-21; Phil. 3:12; I Thess. 5:23; Heb. 12:14; I John 5:3; WCF 19.5-7).

Furthermore, rather than having the Cooperative Ministries Committee propose additional structural changes, let us adopt this plan for renewal (reflected in the seventeen points above) asking our presbyteries and sessions, who are the best originators of denominational change, to study, discuss and implement it. Accordingly, this overture asks our appropriate elected leaders to represent and publicize this to our churches in writing or in counsel as the action of the 38th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America. By taking this action, we, as elders, intend to send a clear and simple message to our churches, presbyteries, General Assembly, and the world, that the PCA will seek spiritual renewal on God’s terms, trusting solely in His sovereign wisdom and grace.

Humbly and Respectfully Submitted by:

The Northwest Georgia Presbytery
May 22, 2010

Update for Spring 2010

Albert Kona — Fri, 28 May 2010 12:25:00 +0000

(get this update on PDF in this LINK)

Greetings Family and Friends,

Have you wondered about us? The Kona family is still alive and well as Winter has come and gone and April showers have brought on our May flowers here in Durres, Albania. We continue to miss you all very much and covet your prayers especially when you have not heard from us in a while as we regret was the case this time. The Lord is good to refresh our hearts and minds in Him even as we find ourselves knocked down and quite weary from time to time while “fighting the good fight”, especially given the unique challenges that come with church planting. Please take some time to read and rejoice with us in light of the Lord’s bountiful blessings, not forgetting in the end to enjoy your own blessing as you take part in His work here in Albania by praying.

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow . . .

in answer to your prayers

· All Christmas, New Year, and Easter services were quite a blessing and well attended. Jenny was greatly blessed as her mother spent a couple of weeks including Easter week with us in our home, delighting in her daughter’s home away from home and more so in her time with “Bitty Bella” granddaughter.

· The Christian Medical Student Society Retreat in December that we helped to finance was excellent with about 20 students attending. As usual there were many questions and profitable discussions concerning the topics – discipleship, evangelism, and idols of the heart as expounded from the book of Jonah.

· I continue preaching through Galatians every Sunday Morning though writing the expositional-theological commentary as I go along is quite a challenge, taking much more time than expected. I am about to finish teaching on Reformed worship during Sunday School and plan to begin a study on Covenant Theology. This past Thursday evening I began an expositional study on the Gospel of Mark prior to our corporate prayer time.

· Thank you for praying for elder Scott and family (Laura and Lexi) from Midway PCA who DO plan to join us for 7 weeks beginning June 5^th! Pray for their quick adjustment in the country; that their service will be blessed and profitable (Scott with teaching, Laura with the women, Lexi with children, etc).

· Translation of PCA’s The Book of Church Order has been completed by Nardi Doka of our church body. His current project is Murray’s Redemption Accomplished and Applied.

· We always delight in new visitors, recently enjoying a young couple – a dear brother in Christ and old friend, Albi, whose unbelieving wife is expecting their first child (pray for her, she is open and occasionally attends church as well). Praise the Lord for the apparent conversion of a young man named Behar. He was converted through several regular meetings in the local café’s. If you think that out church membership increased by one by his addition to our congregation then you are wrong because immediately after his conversion he moved to Greece! God’s ways are as usual mysterious and we are just happy that he was been added to the larger Kingdom.

· Jenny is singing again! She gave her first post-grad recital here just a couple of weeks ago, enjoying a varied program of 11 songs all accompanied by a string quartet, which was such a neat experience for them all. You may listen to select pieces on youtube using “bertikona” to search. She may have future opportunities coming!

Specific Prayer Needs

· Please pray for the body of Kisha Reformuar, Durres as several of these dear believers have various struggles in the areas of health and work. Please pray for the Agolli family. Their struggles have been many in the areas of very poor health and poverty. The church has helped them a lot until we found them to become dependent on us and not on their own labors. Since we adjusted our policy, they have almost stopped coming to church. Please pray for their conversion/sanctification.

· Pray for faithful and fruit-bearing teaching and preaching of God’s Word as I expound Galatians on Sundays, Mark on Thursdays, and prepare to begin a new Sunday School study on Covenant Theology. As well, pray for almost daily opportunities for counsel and discipleship.

· Pray that we would all have zeal for Evangelism and outreach to our community, redirecting our practices once again toward parish ministry.

· Pray for us personally in our strength and encouragement, passion and perseverance as we continue in this call to church planting and ministry here in Albania. Annabella has now doubled in age since our last contact – now 10 months old and growing healthy and strong! Pray she will finally kick this slight cold after her weeklong bout of fever. Jenny is well, delightfully growing as mother but in need of your prayers not only for fellowship and overall contentment but also as there is some adjustment again with culture and language now that a little one is in the picture. Pray that in her loving obedience to the Lord, all fears would be subsided. Also we need to tie up loose ends in Jenny’s residency paperwork and pray as well for her continued joyful serving to the ladies of our body.

· Pray for my added studies by distance to complete my ThM with Whitefield Theological Seminary and continued family responsibilities.

For Christ and His Church,
The Konas

Annabella at 6 months and Ready to Eat Solids!

Albert Kona — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:03:10 +0000

Look at that fancy pink highchair!!!

The sippy cup was not mastered at that time . . . doing much better day by day . . . no rush!

We enjoyed our rice cereal!

Interesting article from St.Peter’s Free Presbyterian Church

Albert Kona — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:45:43 +0000

I found today this interesting article by David Peterson, the Pastor of St. Peter’s Free Presbyterian Church in Scotland that I thought it was interesting. I agree with the major portion of this article and the principles proposed by this writer apply to the situation in Albania with some tweaking.

How (not) to be an American Missionary in Scotland

This is an updated version of an article I wrote a number of years ago on the Free Church website. It received a lot of comment, especially from some Southern Baptists friends, whose website was critiqued in the article. They were very gracious and said it had helped them. I am very thankful for those Americans who have come to help us in Scotland. I want to see more – which is why the comments below still apply. Feel free to make your own comments.

“Over paid, over sexed and over here” was one common saying concerning the American GI’s during the Second World War. I doubt that this is the appropriate description for the growing number of American missionaries who are coming to Scotland today in order to take part in a different kind of warfare – the spiritual battle for Western Europe. This is a subject dear to my heart – I have been involved with American missionaries for over ten years and continue to encourage them to come to Scotland. Bear that in mind as you read the rest of this article. I am writing from the perspective of someone who wants American missionaries here and who believes moreover that we need American missionaries here.

Cross cultural mission is difficult. There are dangers as well as opportunities. I believe that for American missionaries to be effective over here they need to have a passionate realism, a people centered ministry, a Biblical God centered theology and a willingness to work in partnership.

1) A Passionate Realism – Avoid the danger of Romanticism. Scotland is not the land of Mel Gibson, Brigadoon, quaint wee redheaded Highland lasses, Eric Liddell running in the Glens and John Knox preaching in the pulpits! Equally Scots going over to America sometimes get the ‘grass is always greener on the other side of the fence’ syndrome. To be in large churches, with extensive programs and great wealth, who also seem to be making a significant impact upon their community – that is quite an experience and one which sometimes leaves the Scot feeling a) inferior and b) thinking ‘this is it. This is the way God wants us to work’. The result is that some of us come back with the notion that the Americanisation of the Church will be its salvation. That is patently not true. Likewise American missionaries who come over here thinking that all Scotland needs for revival is for things to be done the way they are back home, will not get very far. Having that attitude will do a great deal of harm – not least by causing an opposite reaction whereby anything new is seen as American and thus de facto to be rejected. Cultural sensitivity is a basic requirement for any missionary.

Another aspect of realism is to avoid stereotyping and to seek to understand the culture you are coming to. A few years ago I looked at the Southern Baptists missionary website on Scotland (it has considerably improved since then!) – it was appallingly inaccurate – almost to the point of being offensive and laughable. The scary thing is that this information is what Southern Baptist missionaries come armed with. According to the website – Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism are infiltrating the country through ‘ambitious East Indian businessmen’. – Mormonism and the religion of the JW’s are taught in public schools – ‘Scots enjoy football (soccer), rugby, cricket, golf and Highland Games. On a sunny day beautiful parks are filled with families and their dogs..’. All this is fairly patronizing and harmless but when it comes to the report of the Celtic Languages team it becomes farcical – according to this report Scotland’s population is 7 million of whom 150,000 are potential Gaelic speakers. “The Celtic languages team targets the minority population of Scotland who speak Gaelic, an ancient Celtic language…At present there are few (literally to be counted on one hand) or no evangelical Gaidhlig-speaking churches with a Gaidhlig outreach in Scotland. It would be estimated that there are probably fewer than 50 fluent Gaidhligh- speaking evangelicals in Scotland” – lest those of you from Back (with several hundred Gaelic speaking believers) cry foul at this it is only fair to point out that the Missionary organisation go on to helpfully inform us that that there are currently no Gaelic speaking Baptist churches in Scotland. The implication is obvious. Real Christians are Baptist. Pity that no-one told Knox or Chalmers.. or Eric Alexander or Iain D. Campbell (one of the 50?).

As well as avoiding romanticism and stereotyping, realism means grasping and understanding the spiritual state of the nation. Scotland is in a bad way spiritually – but it is not helpful to act as though there were no evangelical Christians in the country nor is it helpful to come across with a superior mindset which screams ‘I am here to tell you how it should be done’. There is a distinct lack of humility in some of the presentations I have seen. I once looked at a missionary team where young girls hardly out of high school were described as providing ‘church leadership’. Everyone wants to have a ministry that is considered ‘significant’ by their peers (It is a good job that Christ was not like that – he emptied himself). A worthwhile ministry is not achieved by down playing or ignoring the number of fine native Christians who are already labouring in this part of the vineyard.

It is also helpful to be realistic about what you can do. I have met men who tell me with a straight face that their mission is to bring revival to Scotland and Ireland; to unite the churches, to ‘disciple tomorrows leaders today’, ‘develop a CPM (church planting movement) that will envelop the whole nation for Christ’. Much of this is the Christian equivalent of spin and corporate business talk. Meaningless except to those schooled in the jargon. It is better to be honest. I know that saying you are running a pensioners club in a rundown area of an inner city is not quite the same as ‘bringing revival to Scotland’, but it is more realistic. Of course your work could result in far greater blessing but you cannot promise that and you do not know that. The trouble is that American missionaries are often funded by individuals or churches who want to know what their money is achieving. Plus there is a lot of competition for a limited amount of cash – and when there is any kind of recession it is missionary work that often gets hit first – so each missionary is in the unenviable position of having to sell their work in order to obtain funds to continue it. In such circumstances it is not surprising that jargon and exaggeration come into play.

And the passion? Realism can sometimes come across as lifeless defeatism. That is not what we need. We need people who recognise the need, who have moved beyond the ‘Braveheart’ kilt and heather view of Scotland, who know their own weaknesses but who are passionate about Jesus Christ, his Gospel and the people of Scotland. And who are self-effacing.

2) People centred ministry Which brings us on to the question of
methodology. Why are the Southern Baptists seeking to plant churches in Dingwall and Tain? These are hardly unchurched places – both small towns having good Free Churches, evangelical Church of Scotland’s, the APC and charismatic groups etc? What is the thinking and the strategy behind that? The thinking is betrayed in their websites view of other churches – real Christians are Baptist, (and real Baptists are Southern) or at least they should be because their churches are dead. At best the strategy seems to be non-existent. At worst it is a blatant attempt to plant a church, not in one of the many urban housing schemes where there is little or no gospel, but rather in an area where it is easier to get disaffected ‘Christians’ from the already established churches.

In terms of methodology – combine the system of raising finance; with Arminian theology, cultural insensitivity and a business ’success’ model and you have real potential for a disaster. Why? Because these factors combined together mean that there is an enormous pressure on the missionary to be seen to be successful. Those who are funding you demand results – that means bottoms on seats. It means numbers. In order to be able to report home that God is at work through you and therefore people should be supporting you, you need to highlight the growth and the numerical increase. For that to happen in postmodern Scotland the easiest way is to go to an area where there are a significant number of churches (which you consider to be pretty dead) and poach. Given the manpower and money it only takes a modest level of competency to gather 50 plus people. You can then send reports of how you have established a church (or to use the jargon – ‘how God is working through you’) and your supporters back home will be happy. But at what cost? I do not deny that the Lord can and does bless even through such methods. Of course there are people who are genuinely converted but there is also harm done – some churches are weakened, others are tempted to try such short-termism and overall the impact of the gospel on the community is severely weakened.

The methodology adopted should not be that of the commercial venture but rather that of the Lord. He came to save people and to glorify his Father. In many ways he was a disaster in terms of what the world would regard as success. For us, following Christ means that we will be people centered rather than programe centred. And I don’t mean that just as a soundbite or a neat turn of phrase. I am tired of being offered this program for church revitalization, or that proven method of evangelism, or this program to ‘reach Scotland for Christ’. Of course there is value in looking at different methods and strategies. Of course there are new ways of doing things. And of course some of these programs are excellent. But we really do need to beware of the program mentality. It is often easier to sell a method than it is to live Christ. It is also sometimes far more lucrative – especially for the author. Several people have written, phoned and even visited offering ‘their’ particular brand or program. They come with all the right words (‘we are your servants… we want to help you reach Scotland) and as far as one is allowed and able to judge these things, their motives are admirable, but their agenda is very limited. They are answerable to a higher authority and it’s not the Lord. Their church or their mission board has told them they must use this program and that any help offered is conditional upon that. So what do you do if you are a Scottish minister in desperate need of help and someone comes and offers you untold riches – the only catch being that you must do it their way? If you think that what is offered is harmful or not appropriate then you must refuse. That is not easy.

In summary then our methodology is to be people centred and focused not so much on what the ‘folks at home’ might think. It needs to be relevant and culturally appropriate in Scotland. And Biblical. Which brings us onto the third requirement.

3) Biblical God centred theology

There is a tendency in some of our churches to divide the world into those who are theological and those who are mission minded. That is a fatal error. For both theology and mission. In terms of the latter it often leads to people saying that theology does not really matter – all that matters is getting the gospel/Jesus to people. The problem with that statement is that the gospel is theology and theology is Jesus. When theology becomes a dry academic discipline, used only to justify church division then it becomes blasphemous. When it is full of Christ then it is essential.

In terms of mission in Scotland we do not need any more Arminian evangelism. I do wish Reformed Christians would stop being emotionally bullied into supporting any and every work that claims to be Christian (providing it only sells itself well). I know the Lord can and does use it (I met a lovely Arminian Baptist from Alabama the other day – I am sure that the Lord will continue to use him. His grace and humility shone threw) but that does not mean that we should give into the notion that Reformed evangelism is a misnomer. There are far too many ‘Reformed’ Christians who think that we can evangelise like Arminians and then teach like Calvinists. Again the success model and the pressures thereof sometimes force us to act in that way.

I find it ironic that you will get mission teams ‘bringing the gospel to Scotland’ who think that they have done so by going and singing in St Giles in Edinburgh. St Giles is a bastion of theological liberalism. It is the church where Jenny Geddes flung her stool at the preacher when he tried to use Laud’s liturgy. Yet now her Presbyterian descendants celebrate their Scottishness and their Knoxian heritage by supporting a church which Knox would not be seen dead in! I question how theologically valid it is to send mission teams over to ‘prayer walk’ the Highlands. Why not just come on a walking holiday and don’t use the ‘mission tag’? I have been offered clowns and drama groups, choirs and basketball players. Again don’t get me wrong – I actually believe there is a place for clowns and drama groups. That place is the circus and the theatre – or perhaps the school and the market place. I don’t say that to be facetious. We need more Christians involved in the popular arts. My objection is to calling that mission or evangelism – just because it is done in ‘a Christian way’ or tracts are handed out. I believe that Christians should be involved in the wider culture and that there is a place for the fine Christian groups in the US who are involved in these things to come over here on culture trips.. But we need a lot more than that.

We also need a lot more than short term mission teams – which are often more for the benefit of the people who come and the sending church than they are for the recipients. Sometimes Congregational Mission Committees even use these as ‘vision’ trips to stimulate interest. But mission should not be sold like that. Certainly let people come on ‘vision’ trips to see what the need is and what might be done – but again please do not call that mission. For any sending Church the criteria must not be – what can we get out of it, but rather what can we put in? Again let me stress that I support the idea of short term mission teams. We have had several very beneficial ones in St Peter’s. I have led about 12 to other churches. However the ‘hit and run’ type of outreach as so often exemplified by these teams is one of the least effective form of outreach one can do. Or at least it is if it is not part of a longer term relationship which gives a boost to the ongoing work and which can therefore be continued and followed up. Which brings us on to the last point.

Partnership

The key to work in Scotland is for the American Presbyterians/Baptists/Pentecostals to come and partner with us. Scots must resist the temptation to think that we do not need help and we must also resist the temptation to see the American Church as some kind of cash cow – that we have to woo or sell the ‘vision to. We must also avoid any kind of cultural or spiritual superiority or snobbery (we need to take the beam out of our own eyes before the take the spec out of our brothers). Americans on the other hand must avoid seeing us as a ‘project’. And they too must avoid cultural or spiritual superiority. It does not really matter if Europeans did not think that George W was the best thing since sliced bread or do not want to eat hormonised beef. American missionaries are not here to defend or proclaim American culture – they are here to proclaim and live Christ. The fact of a MacDonald’s opening in Moscow should not be seen as an advance for the gospel! What is more important is that we can work together in partnership in the cause of the gospel. We can learn from each other as we proclaim Christ together and who knows , perhaps we Scots may be able to be of some help to our American brothers and sisters as well?

American Presbyterians owe us a debt of love. It was the Scots who took Presbyterianism over to the US and it was the Scots who helped fund and plant Presbyterian churches in the US. Now we need the favour returned. Not just by romantic ‘Scots celebration’ services in memory of Knox, nor by reading lots of books about the Covenanters, nor just by sending the occasional holiday tour/mission trip, but we need your help. We need commitment, sacrifice, prayer and trust. In the years since I first wrote this article I am aware of several Scottish ministers, theologians and students who have been ‘called’ to the US. I am not aware of any experienced American minister coming over here. Can I make a plea to the American church – if you are going to continue to cherry pick our best people could you in return heed the Macedonian cry to come over and help us? And please send us your best – no other sacrifice is good enough for the Lord.

PS. I have to add this – given the reaction already. Firstly this was not written about any specific individual (that should be obvious) – secondly it is not just about any particular group (the Southern Baptists are only mentioned as one example) whether MTW, PCA, ARP’s new work in Leith, etc. I am talking about general trends and patterns. Thirdly it should also be obvious that I am very grateful for those Americans (like John Wagner now an FC minister doing a great job in Inverness, or Terry Carlton who did a power of work here in Dundee, and several others too numerous to name) who have worked hard and sacrificially for the Lord here. However I am also aware that we have a reputation of sending home missionaries from Europe in general and Scotland in particular, in ‘body bags’. Unrealistic expectations, pressures from home, inexperience, the tough spiritual climate, lack of understanding are some of the many reasons why this happens. As we say in Scots ‘its a sair fecht’ (its a tough fight), but then as Christians what do we expect? I thought we were to take up our cross – not just go to the places and people that seem to be more attractive. I don’t think this is a problem that is particular to one nationality – it seems to me endemic in Western Christianity that our own personal comfort and situation is the priority (and I include myself in this). How can we do mission like that? Perhaps we need a deeper awareness of Christ and ourselves, before we think we can change the world?

Another PS….here is an example of what I was writing about….just came across this today…”Scotland, we have found to be a spiritually cold nation. Many of its churches are practically empty with many of them being occupied by Muslims. Secularism is the modern day God. We have been preaching and taking mission teams there since 2002. The Baptist Union has become quite liberal. It is also completely Armenian. There is no Reformed witness or churches within the Baptist Union. The state churches, Church of Scotland, etc. are very liberal. There is a Presbyterian presence, mostly thru the Free Church of Scotland. But there is a very small Reformed Baptist presence in Scotland. We feel led to ask God to raise up Reformed Baptist Churches across Scotland, the U K and Europe according to His Will. ” It is really important that people get facts right….’many’ of Scotland’s churches are not occupied by muslims, there ARE reformed churches and witness within the Baptist Union, the Presbyterians churches are not mainly through the Free Church, and not all the State churches are ‘very liberal’. ( on a slightly more amusing note I am intrigued that the Baptist Union is completely Armenian….personally I thought it was full of Turks!). There also seems to be the usual problem of equating the church of Jesus Christ with one particular group. Of course there then follows an appeal for money. Now I have nothing against this particular group and we do pray that the Lord will bless them in the particular situation they are in. But a great deal more humility, awareness of the situation, and a greater vision for the Gospel in Scotland (rather than just their own particular group) would be helpful. As indicated above we need more churches and groups committed to evangelism in Scotland….but this is not the way to win friends and influence people!

What should I pray?

Albert Kona — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:54:15 +0000

If you get tired of praying, “God bless so and so,” here are some more specific requests, based on various Scriptures. Most of these come from Will Bruce, of OMF, but modified a bit, including the biblical references. Pray that the person (family member, missionary, pastor, yourself, etc.)…

…will love God more fervently from the heart (Matt. 22:37).
…will realize his present exalted position in Christ (Eph. 1:17-2:6).
…will be filled with the Holy Spirit and walk in the Spirit (Eph. 5:18; Gal. 5:16).
…will be regular and systematic in reading, studying, and memorizing the Word (Ps. 119).
…will have the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:15-16).
…will grow daily in Christlike maturity, developing the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23; Col. 1:28).
…will appropriate the full armor of God (Eph. 6:10-20).
…will be alert to Satan’s strategies (2 Cor. 2:11).
…will not love the world system (1 John 2:15-17).
…will have a spirit of brokenness and humility (Phil. 2:1-8).
…will have a servant’s heart (John 13:1-17).
…will build a godly family (Eph. 5:22-6:4).
…will become an effective prayer warrior (Col. 1:9; 4:12).
…will know God’s hand on him in physical and material things (3 John 2-3; Phil. 4:19).
…will be a faithful steward of all that God entrusts to him (1 Cor. 4:1-2; Matt. 25:14-30).
…will learn to praise the Lord (Ps. 103; 150).
…will live in prayerful worship (John 4:24; Phil. 3:3).
…will love fellow Christians from the heart (Rom. 12:9-13; 1 Pet. 1:22; 4:8).
…will reach out to the lost (1 Cor. 9:19-23).
…will learn about, pray for, and give to the cause of world missions (Matt. 28:18-20; Hab. 2:14).

Update for December 2009

Albert Kona — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:59:21 +0000

(Click here to see this as a PDF file)

Greetings Family and Friends,

We are delighted to finally bring you news from Albania, having returned from and returned to such an outpouring of love from the people of God. We apologize for this long overdue update as these past two months have been quite full but fully blessed as we have settled into a routine with our new little lady as well as enjoyed our family and friends here in Durres, Albania. We have much to be thankful for as the Lord has been very good to us in these past several months.

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow . . .

Annabella Natalie Kona was born on the fourth of July! How we are grateful for our little “firecracker” who weighed in at 6 lbs 15oz and is such a beautiful baby, bringing so much joy to our lives. She was then baptized on her eighth day at Woodruff Road PCA by Pastor Carl Robbins. Having received her own American passport, she has traveled with us to Albania and has been introduced and loved by all our church family and friends. She participates in our worship services with her occasional vocalizations, especially when her daddy is preaching. Baby Bella has recently turned 5 months old and is growing and developing well. Thank you for your prayers through a healthy pregnancy, delivery, safe travels and more.
Jason Housewright, a GPTS student and licensed by Westminster Presbytery, TN served as The Reformed Church of Durres’ intern while I was in America during part of the summer. He did the most excellent job and the church was greatly blessed by his ministry here in Albania. We are praying God will call him to a full-time ministry in Albania. We suggest you do the same.
We are thankful for the local church body that held together well while we were gone, showing that they have grown into a community.
We were thankful for the opportunity God gave us to do some recruiting among seminary students while in the U.S.. Through the help of Pastor Carl Robbins and Dr. Elias Medeiros, the mission’s professor at RTS Jackson, we hosted a luncheon and missions presentation there at RTS seminary. The turnout was good and interest was encouraging. Dr. M and I brainstormed about the possibility of establishing an internship program for mission-minded students between the seminary and our ministry in Albania, and him bringing a short-term team of students for outreach. If this is to happen, such a program would bring a lot of manpower to our ministry and also be beneficial for these students in regard to on-the-field/cross-cultural experience. Please pray for such plans to come to fruition and that men would be called to a full-time ministry in Albania. In the same manner I presented at RTS Charlotte through the help of Dr. Mike Milton. This turnout was also good and interest was encouraging. I also was blessed to preach at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary during their chapel hour and later made a presentation during their mission’s prayer band. There is a Greenville seminary family that is looking into the possibility of spending their summer internship here in Albania, so please pray for them.

Specific Prayer Needs

Please pray for an elder and his family from Midway PCA that are making plans to come and spend the summer with us in Albania. They would assist in the various teaching and shepherding capacities as well as with discipleship and other summer projects.
Upon our return I began preaching through the book of Galatians, writing an expositional-theological commentary as I do so. Also, I am working on writing a book on worship that is based on a series of Sunday school lessons that I will be teaching soon, but currently I am teaching on the doctrine of justification by faith alone. Please pray for these endeavors.
Please pray for the weekend of December 18-20th in which I am invited to speak for the Christian Medical Students Society for which we are sponsoring a portion. This year’s theme is evangelism and discipleship.

Specific Financial Needs

As we approach the end of 2009 we are reminded to seek your help once again through end of the year givings. Usually whatever is given at the end of the year makes up for a considerable portion of our annual budget, and we are grateful for those who have helped us meet such needs in the past. Your donations also help as the dollar continues to fluctuate and weaken. This year we will continue to do translation work, and we publish the works translated last year.

You are able to donate simply by writing a check payable to WRPC Missions (Woodruff Road Presbyterian Church in America) and designate “Albert and Jennifer Kona” on the memo line. Please send your checks to this address:

WRPC Missions

2519 Woodruff Road

Simpsonville, SC 29681

For Christ and His Church,

The Konas

www.missiontoalbania.com

bertikona@gmail.com | jennykona@gmail.com

Jannuary 2009 Update

Albert Kona — Thu, 14 May 2009 02:35:57 +0000

A New Year with . . .

New Tidings of Joy!

Greetings Family and Friends,

Praise the Lord for those churches and individuals who have not only faithfully prayed and financially supported us throughout 2008, but also responded to our financial, end-of-the-year request that will aid in future ministry endeavors as well as help fund the upcoming baby Kona delivery/recovery. Thank you all and may the Lord bless your hands and generous hearts especially in light of the various economic changes/challenges.

We truly bring tidings of joy as my Jenny now carries a precious little one in her womb ~ BABY KONA !!! She is in fact beginning her fourth month (2^nd trimester), feeling much better, and expecting little Kona sometime mid-late July. How we rejoice in our Masterful Creator and Gracious Father, praying you would all join us in rejoicing! We also seek your prayers in these specific requests:

Health for child and mother. We have pursued the necessary healthcare here, having an Albanian doctor contact in Tirana, but we pray the American doctor will deliver Baby Kona as health permits travel.
Traveling mercies as Jenny will leave before me when it is safer for her to travel in mid-May. Please pray for her Albanian sister in Christ to receive permission from the American Embassy to assist her in travel, visiting the US for several weeks before returning. There is a 2-3 month waiting time after the baby’s birth to receive a birth certificate and then a passport, thus she will delight in a long stay and your visits, calls, etc.
My plans are to join my Jenny in America along with my parents, arriving later in mid-July but hoping to travel back altogether following WRPCA’s mission conference October 2-4. This will be an opportune time at our 2^nd year mark to visit supporting churches and make new contacts. Pray for the Lord to provide pulpit supply, specifically a seminary student intern for at least part of this time.

We are delighted in the possibility of making visits to all our supporting churches/individuals come August and September. If you would like to go ahead and schedule a specific weekend/Sunday or Wednesday, maybe in correlation with your missions’ conference, we would be most honored by your email response to give you priority. This might even make our scheduling and visitations easier and more profitable. We welcome you to our missions’ conference held October 2-4 at Woodruff Road Presbyterian Church (details found at www.woodruffroad.com). This will most likely conclude our visit in America, so we would love an opportunity to hug your neck and say a big thank you in person – Lord willing, also introducing you to little baby Kona!

A Christmas Update ~

Our Christmas 2008 was a delightful celebration here in Albania with family and friends. We are thankful for all the pictures and Christmas cards/updates we received, showcasing them throughout our home as well as the goodies from WRPCA and other dear family and friends. This made our being away and local hospitality much easier.

December 18^th, 20-21^st speaking engagements with the Christian Medical Student Organization of Tirana were quite profitable in many ways. About 30 students (most of them Christians) attended the Thursday evangelistic meeting and around 20 students attended the weekend retreat. I was greatly blessed by such responsive interest with numerous questions following each session, some still requesting material to this day. Please pray for their continued hunger for God’s truth. After they joined us in Sunday Morning worship, I finished the last session and gifted them with some sermons on CD and a book for spiritual growth and edification, all a blessing from your support.

Charity and Children on December 20^th ~ Several ladies did join Jenny that Saturday morning to joyfully wrap gifts for the nursing home Christian community, and they were delivered with love on Christmas Eve! Sorry, we forgot to bring the camera with us. They were ever so grateful. The few children of our bodied gathered as well in our home for a yummy celebration, hearing the Christmas story following a coloring activity and then decorating a gingerbread house. You should have seen their eyes, hands, faces, etc. !

The second annual Christmas Eve “Lessons and Carols” service and dinner with the church body and guests was a true blessing. Several men helped read the lessons and the songs were joyfully sung, being a little more familiar this year. No photos for this activity either. We did so bad with taking pictures this year.

We praise the Lord in our faithful Lord’s Day worship and meeting together both on Sundays and Thursdays. I continue preaching through the “Sermon on the Mount” and our number remains the same. Please pray for continued endurance, diligence, faithfulness, boldness, and clarity in all these endeavors. Also, pray for wisdom regarding summer 2009 activities. Very Important!!!

John Calvin: 500 Years in Retrospect, A 21st Century Assessment

Loved, hated, misrepresented, misunderstood, blindly-followed by some, rejected out-of-hand by others, but nevertheless relevant even in the modern world, John Calvin is in a singular class of men. The year 2009 marks the 500th anniversary of Calvin’s birth and Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary is offering a remarkable conference to honor our Triune God for having blessed the Church with the Genevan Reformer. As an original sponsor of CALVIN 500, an international event honoring Calvin, GPTS is in many ways beginning the celebration on U.S. soil with our Spring Theology Conference. Be sure to sign up HERE for this popular annual conference before registration closes at 5pm on March 5th. Take advantage of the early bird savings by registering on or before January 30, 2009. The topics that will be covered and the speakers are:

John Calvin: Theologian of Head, Heart, and Hands – Dr. James McGoldrick
John Calvin’s New Testament Commentaries – Dr. George Knight
Brevity and Clarity: John Calvin the Theologian – Dr. Carl Trueman
Calvin the Preacher – Dr. Joey Pipa, Jr.
Calvin’s Principles of Government in the Venues of Church and State – Dr. David Hall
Calvin’s Legacy in Economic Policy – Dr. Timothy Terrell
Calvin the Liturgist – Dr. Terry Johnson
Of Doorposts and Hinges: Calvin on Union with Christ – Dr. Mark Garcia
“John Calvin: ‘The Theologian of the Holy Spirit’” Dr. Joel Beeke
Calvin the Sacramentalist – Pastor Ian Hamilton
“Christian Philosophy” in John Calvin – Dr. Paul Helm

Prayer-News for March 2009

Albert Kona — Thu, 14 May 2009 02:17:57 +0000

Dear Family and Friends,

The winter chill continues here in Albania, but Spring is in the air as we enjoy the beginning of March. We are quite grateful for days like today when the sunshine helps to provide some warmth and cheer. We have had a rainier season than usual, which can make for some additional challenges affecting body and mind. Nonetheless we persevere by God’s daily grace and strength and thank Him for continually placing the desire on many of your hearts to faithfully pray and support us in our various ministry endeavors with “Mission to Albania”. Here are a few praiseworthy updates and specific prayer points as you approach The Throne of Grace:

PRAISE GOD from whom All Blessings flow. . .

: Main Street Down Town

Faithful Worship, preaching/teaching, prayer, and fellowship continues for the Saints of the Reformed Church in Durres (www.kishareformuardurres.com)
Faithful Translation work continues by Nardi Doka, a church member. Nardi is now translating “Manual of Christian Doctrine” by Louis Berkhof, which I plan to use for elder / deacon training in the upcoming weeks ahead.
Faithful Tithing once a month almost pays the church space rent! God has blessed our small congregation despite only part of our congregation being employed.
Medical Conference for this Saturday, March 14^th. I have been invited by both the Association of Christian Medical Doctors and Christian Medical Students to give an address for their annual conference. The topic assigned is “Indifference and Neutrality in the Face of Injustice.” I am just going to preach the gospel to them. Please pray for my final preparations and for conversions.
Irma, Jenny’s friend received the US Visa and will accompany Jenny to America!
21 WEEKS Pregnant!!! . . . over Halfway to meeting little Kona!
4^th YEAR ANNIVERSARY on March 19^th!
New Discoveries in Albania – just to name a few ~ apple juice, celery, craisins, gluten-free pasta, Hallmark (in Italian) and lots of baby items!

Prayer for the Body

Redin and Marsela: As they continue through premarital Counseling and make necessary preparations for their Wedding on April 19^th!
The Agolli Family – Besnik, Liljana, Rafaela, and Manjola: The Agolli family (pictured on right) is struggling greatly with poverty and health issues. Both parents (Besnik and Liljana) are ill, unemployed, and suffering with depression. We are trying to help them rebuild their lives around the gospel as well as offering them diaconal help.
Entela is the sister of Ilda, a member of our church. She has been inquiring about how to connect with God in order to bring to Him prayers for her failing marriage. Please pray for her conversion. She has two teenage boys. Pray also for the salvation of her ex-husband.

Prayer for Summertime Planning

Traveling Mercies for Jenny and Irma this coming mid-May as well as for me and possibly my parents later in July. Please keep the Kona parents in your prayers in their decision making process. Please continue to pray for Jenny’s pregnancy, for the salvation of our covenant child.
Summer Intern needed for at least 2 months if I am to be away for little Kona’s birth and return with family. I am planning to be in the states for a couple of months for the birth and fly with Jenny back to Albania. Please pray that we might find a summer intern who would fill the pulpit for me. Let us know if you have any suggestion or contact.
Short Term Mission Team is still welcome and to be determined for the end of June. Pray for this. We still want to do the Summer Bible Conference and continue with leadership training. Pray for all the details.

In His Grip,

The Konas

Dec 08 Prayer-Points

Albert Kona — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:06:51 +0000

Christmas Blessings Dear Family and Friends,

Even though your schedule is probably very busy this time of year, we would greatly appreciate your prayers regarding our upcoming Christmas events and a few opportunities/requests that have come my way recently. Please know how grateful we are for your prayers and support and how we miss all your loving faces or look forward to meeting you one day.

Sundays, December 14^th and 21^th – Christ-based evangelical sermons, taking a short break from the Sermon on the Mount series
Thursday, December 18^th – I have been invited to be the Guest Speaker/Preacher for a Christian Medical Students Organization at the University of Tirana. This is a small group of students who meet every Thursday afternoon. They will invite their non-believing classmates and have asked me to preach an evangelistic sermon. Please pray that many will come. Please pray for my preparation as this is in short notice. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will bless the preaching of the Word with many conversions that day.
Saturday, December 20^th (weekend) – The Christian Medical Students Org. will host a retreat in which I am the seminar speaker. This is also in short notice. Please pray for my preparation. I still do not know my topics. We hope to also prepare gifts for the students including sermons on CD and a book. This same day please remember to pray for my wife, Jenny as she will host the few little children for a Christmas party in our home as well as package gifts with some other women in our church for the 25 or so women in a nearby nursing home. They plan to cook a few goodies and buy fresh fruit for both the men and women (50+) closer to the time of their visit.
Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols Service to take place in the evening followed by a dinner.
Christmas Day Service to be determined. We desire to incorporate this tradition as is held by many other European nations.
New Year’s celebration is probably an even bigger event here in Albania due to it’s non-religious nature. This is also focused on families being together. Pray for the overall safety and encouragement for believers in Albania.

November Update 2008

Albert Kona — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:59:28 +0000

Greetings Family and Friends,

We hope you have all had a most blessed Thanksgiving and Fall season. We have spent our second here in Albania, and praise the Lord for all His goodness and graces even while away from all those we love and miss in America. Thank you for your diligent prayers and support regarding the various email updates/prayer requests I have sent recently. Now we would like to highlight two of our 14 official members for a special reason as well as provide you with prayer and support reminders as we approach the end of year 2008.

Reformation Day Membership and Baptisms

We are delighted to announce that there are 12 communing members and 2 non-communing members in Kisha Reformuar Durres (Durres Reformed Church). This does not include Jenny who remains a member of WRPCA and myself as e member of Calvary Presbytery. There remain others who fellowship and worship with us, and we pray for the number to grow in the Lord’s good timing. Also, the Reformation Day celebration and worship included the baptisms of Marsela Myftarallari and Besnik Agolli. You will find more photos of our Reformation Day celebration on our website (www.missiontoalbania.org).

Marsela (Marsi) is a medical graduate from the University of Tirana, coming from a Muslim family. She was converted to Christianity a couple of years ago. Now she works for the ABC Medical Clinic in Tirana, which is a Christian clinic catering to the missionary community, the foreign Embassy staffs, and the community at large. Here is where she met Redin Manasterliu with whom she is engaged!

Besnik is a family man married to Liljana. They have two daughters, Rafaela (13) and Manjola (8). He is a convert from Islam and Liljana is a convert from Catholicism. They both have major health issues and financial struggles so they would be most grateful for your prayers. Currently they are attempting to start a small family business, and so far they have been discouraged. Also please pray for their deeper understanding of the Christian faith, so that they may be more grounded in God’s sovereignty through the crisis of life that come their way.

Please continue praying for . . .

Faithful Worship as I continue through the Sermon on the Mount Sunday Mornings as well as Dr. Pipa’s study on the Confession of Faith Thursday evenings. Our prayer and fellowship on Sunday evenings continue with much pleasure.

Officer Training Preparation in hopes to begin this January.

Christmas Events as we plan to have a Lessons and Carols service again on Christmas Eve with a dinner party to follow along with a Christmas morning service, which is traditional of Continental Europe Christianity. Jenny hopes to have a little children’s activity night in our home with crafts, cooking, carols, and a movie. Also she hopes to have the annual Christmas/New Year Brunch for our ladies and other friends.

God to give our church desire and opportunities for Evangelism

Women’s Fellowship and Bible Study take place again this Saturday, continuing our study of contentment and the women of the Bible.

Please Remember us in Your End of the Year Donations

Your end of the year tax deductible donations (if sent to WRPCA) will help offset the fluctuation of the exchange rate of the dollar in Europe as well as it will make up for the difference in our budget. This year we will continue to do translation work, but we will also attempt to publish the works translated last year. None have been published thus far, so your help will be much appreciated.

WRPC Missions

2519 Woodruff Road

Simpsonville, SC 29681

May you be truly blessed as you enjoy sweet fellowship with family and friends in the close of year 2008. We sincerely thank you for every prayer, every thought, every card, every email, every cent and more on our behalf, knowing that your loving support has allowed us to continue with much gracious blessings here in Albania.

In His Grip

The Konas