Louisiana flood update as well as new projects, events and volunteer opportunities
September 2016 News & Updates

Louisiana Flood Relief Underway



Louisiana has been hit by what the National Weather Service has termed the '1,000 year flood'. Throughout the state over 30,000 people were rescued from their homes, at least 11 lives have been lost and over 40,000 homes have been destroyed. As a result thirty parishes have been declared disaster areas. MNA Disaster Response is in contact with local leadership at the numerous PCA churches and church plants in the wide-spread impacted area. The delivery of critical supplies is well underway, bringing much needed shower trailers, flood buckets, hygiene kits, school kits and other items as requested by those in the area. Click here to read more.

Hispanic Heritage Special Gift Will Help Develop New Hispanic Leaders



Hernando Saenz
MNA Hispanic American Ministries Coordinator Hernando Saenz
We need more qualified leaders for the growing mission field among Hispanic Americans. The MNA Barnabas Initiative for Hispanic Leadership development is our long term strategy to develop new leaders. Hispanic Heritage month is celebrated in the United Sates from September 15 to October 15.
For your church or individual giving, please consider a special gift in support of this initiative during this very special month for people of Hispanic heritage in the United States. Support for our Hispanic Heritage Initiative not only provides resources but is a tangible demonstration of our commitment to advance the Gospel among our neighbors.


Click here to read a special message from Hispanic American Ministries Coordinator Hernando Saenz, and find out how you can support this important initiative.




Resources to Help You Reach the Nations at Your Doorstep



Is your church ready to reach out to the increasing numbers of people from other nations living in your community? Or do you already have an ESL program or other ministry to refugees, international students or immigrants? In either case, you can
find resources and encouragement on the new MNA Refugee and Immigrant Ministry Facebook page: For example, the Life of Jesus film in translation has proved a powerful tool for use among immigrants in our local communities as well as in missions abroad. Beginning September 1, ReachingTheNationsAmongUs.org will offer a special promotion: cases of one hundred of these DVDs for just $100.  Each DVD comes in an attractive flat sleeve, so that you can slip in information about your church.  For additional information on this special offer visit www.ChristmasJesusDVD.org.


MNA Special Needs Ministries Embraces New Staffing for Future Growth



l to r: Ashley Belknap, Steph Hubach, Kristen Harnly


After nine years as Director of MNA Special Needs Ministries, Steph Hubach is enthusiastically transitioning to the role of Consultant. The team at MNA SNM is thankful for how God has provided new staff members Ashley Belknap (Director) and Kristen Harnly (Associate Director of Congregational Care) to join Joel Wallace (Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives) and Cheryl Erb (Assistant) to carry on the vision and mission of the organization. Please click here to learn more about the transition that is taking place. As always, MNA Special Needs Ministries continues to be committed to "making the Gospel - the good news of the coming of Christ's kingdom - accessible to all, in word and deed."


You Can Help the PCA Reach Under-Served Communities


Alejandro DeLabastide, left, with Pastor Ben Turner
We have a challenge in the PCA. We want to plant churches in ethnic and economically fragile communities, but we don't have many leaders who come from those backgrounds. We at MNA are identifying potential workers and, through your generous support of the Thanksgiving Offering, providing funds to churches to raise up the next generation of leaders, like Alejandro DeLabastide at Strong Tower in Lakeland FL. After becoming involved with drugs and fighting God's call, he let God turn his life around to become a Youth Ministry Intern while studying to prepare for ministry. Click here to read more stories about the impact of the Thanksgiving Offering and learn how you can help.

Subscribe to Multiply and Learn More about MNA



Lakeland FL
Our Summer Issue is ready to read! Multiply, a print newsletter that goes out three times a year, brings you news from the church planting field as well a special features on MNA ministries. This issue focuses on church planting in Lakeland FL and welcomes new MNA Coordinator Paul Hahn. To read, click here, where you will also find back issues. Want to subscribe? Click here - it's free!
Upcoming Events

MNA Special Needs Ministries Offers Insight and Practical Strategies



MNA Special Needs Ministries is excited to be a part of the 2016 Transformed Women's Conferences being held in 
  • Birmingham (September 9)
  • Philadelphia (September 30-October 1)
  • Dallas (November 11). 
In Birmingham and Dallas we will offer Disability Ministry Pre-Conferences from 2-5pm, prior to the start of the main conferences. At the Philadelphia Transformed Conference, Steph Hubach will present a workshop at the main conference. 
 
For more information on any of these opportunities, click here.
Be More Effective at Fundraising



Taking Donors Seriously, an organization whose mission is to help people and organizations make a bigger impact in the world by equipping them to be more effective at raising the financial support that is critical to their work, is offering a one hour training/informational webinar to PCA church planters and pastors on raising funds via capital campaigns. The date of the one hour webinar is Thursday, September 29 at 12:00 CST/1:00 EST. All are welcome, but advance registration is required. Please click here to register, or visit their website for more information on their ministry and services if you have questions. .



Ted Powers
MNA Church Planter Training 2017



Mark your calendars for the next MNA Church Planter Training, February 14-17, 2017 in Orlando FL. Multiple tracks, many modules, lots to learn! Registration will open in early fall and close in mid-January. Plan now to come; we encourage couples to come together and suggest church planters bring another ministry leader if possible. For more information, contact Ann Powers.


MNA Midwest
Midwest Connection



Midwest folks, take note: the next Midwest Connection, sponsored by MNA Midwest, is being planned for May 2-4, 2017 in suburban Chicago. Get these dates on your calendar now for this regional event designed to refresh, renew, and provide a chance to relax while learning and being resourced for ministry with others in the Midwest. This event is open to all in the region - church planters, pastors, ministry leaders, staff. You can get more information from Ann Powers. Watch your inbox or this space for details coming soon!
Volunteer

MNA SecondCareer Seeks Volunteers to Help PCA Ministries
Have you ever wanted to lend a hand in ministry, but wondered how to serve?  All around the continent MNA SecondCareer Ministry has volunteer opportunities. For example, in New Hampshire, Jon Taylor at Church of the Redeemer is looking for a Worship Leader; in Indiana, Jerry A. Straight at Newburgh Christian School is seeking a High School Science Teacher; while in North Carolina, Lindsey Williams of Midtown Community Church is looking for mature individuals with mentoring gifts. Needs are everywhere.  Learn more about this and other opportunities to serve at www.pcamna.org/second-career or contact Gary Ogrosky at [email protected] (phone 770-695-4811).
Pray for Our PCA Church Planters



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The Intercessor is a quarterly letter with prayer requests from PCA church planters and MNA Ministry Leaders. The requests are organized by week, making it easy to follow along in individual or group devotions. They have expressed many times how grateful they are for prayer support. Click here to read online, where you will also see subscription options.



Partner with Us

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Late summer already! Pray especially for those taking much-needed breaks and who will soon be gearing up for new ministry steps in the fall. Please prayerfully consider a financial gift for the advancement of God's work through MNA.  



Click here to donate online. You can also mail donations made out to Mission to North America to:
 
Mission to North America

PO Box 890233

Charlotte NC 28289-0233


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Church Planting

Considering Church Planting?


The assessors were the most valuable component of the Church Planter Assessment Center...they were able to adjust to the variety and types of personalities that were represented with love and humility; a sense of peace came over me throughout the week... Getting the opportunity to learn from others in church planting and peers interested in serving the Lord in a similar way. It doesn't happen often in the "real world" context and I felt supported and encouraged and challenged...Thanks for facilitating a safe and wonderful instrument to help test and confirm our call.

The cost of assessment is less than half of one month's salary and operating expenses for a typical church plant, and is a very wise investment that individuals, churches and presbyteries can make in starting a new church. Next one open for applications: January 31-February 3, 2017 (application deadline mid-November) Click here for more information or email Ann Powers quickly.

Looking for a PCA Church?

Know someone who's moving? Be sure to suggest they check this list of new church plants around North America as they look for a new church home. Don't see a new plant in a possible destination on the list? Contact us (678-825-1235) and we'll try to find out more information for you!

Visit pcamna.org to connect with ministries, follow events, and subscribe to publications
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MNA | 1700 N. Brown Road | Suite 101 | Lawrenceville | GA | 30043-8122