In All Things

Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk, welcomes Alan Trafford, Senior Pastor of Covenant Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Lake Jackson, Texas, and Chairman of the EPC Fraternal Relations Committee. The two discuss what fraternal relationships are, and how a formalized relationship between the denomination and groups with the same theological basis as the EPC can serve and benefit both. In addition, Trafford describes his ministry path from England to now 24 years in Texas.

Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk, welcomes Roy Yanke, EPC Ruling Elder and Executive Director of PIR Ministries, a commended resource of the EPC’s Ministerial Vocation Committee. The two discuss how Yanke got involved with PIR, and the services the ministry provides to pastors, Presbyteries, and local churches.

Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk, welcomes Fred Lian, Chairman of the EPC’s Ministerial Vocation Committee (MVC). The two discuss how the MVC serves the denomination, its churches, pastors, and ordination candidates through the ordination process, as well as several MVC pastor health resources, including PastorServe and PIR Ministries. In addition, Lian reflects on his nearly 40 years of ministry in the EPC.

Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk, welcomes David Swanson, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, Florida. The two discuss three of Swanson’s books: Everlasting Life, Learning to Be You, and The Economy of God. Swanson also shares how generosity was manifested in FPCO’s recent “Cup of Rice” campaign, his efforts to address human trafficking in Central Florida, and how FPCO is involved in church planting.

Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk, welcomes Timothy Harris, longtime EPC Teaching Elder. The two discuss Harris' life in ministry including his recent book, "Loving Your Muslim Neighbor: Stories of God Using an Unlikely Couple to Love Muslim People, and How He Might Use You to Do the Same." The book is available at www.lovingyourmuslimneighbor.com.

Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk, welcomes Tom Ricks, leader of the EPC Church Planting Team and longtime pastor of Greentree Community Church in Kirkwood, Missouri. The two discuss why church planting is a strategic priority in the denomination. Ricks also shares poignant memories of Kirk Adkisson, planting pastor of All Souls Church in Nashville, Tennessee, who died on February 19.

Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk, welcomes Hector Reynoso, Pastor of Genesis Presbyterian Church in Mercedes, Texas. The two discuss Reynoso's bilingual family devotional resource based on the Westminster Confession Shorter Catechism, "Walking with Jesus: Family Discipleship." The book, along with a companion Practice Book, is available as a free download in PDF format at www.epc.org/walkingwithjesus.

Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk, welcomes Gerrit Dawson, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The two discuss Dawson's books, Raising Adam: Why Jesus Descended into Hell and The Blessing Life: A Journey to Unexpected Joy, as well as devotional resources for Lent provided by FPCBR.

Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk, welcomes Rodger Woodworth, Pastor of New City Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and author of several books. Thw two discuss cross-cultural church planting, English philosopher and theologian G.K. Chesterton’s notion of the “radical center,” and Woodworth’s recent book, Playing Favorites: Overcoming Our Prejudice to Bridge the Cultural Divide.

Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk, welcomes Bob Stauffer, National Director of Church Health. The two discuss the strategies and structures being developed to serve congregations in the areas of church health and personal evangelism. In addition, Stauffer explains the benefits of a Transitional Pastor for a church that is between called pastors.