Presbyterian Church in America
Redeemer is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a denomination of connected and aligned Presbyterian churches in the United States, Canada, and around the World. As our denomination celebrates the 50th anniversary of our founding, we’re highlighting this month some of the ways Redeemer Austin participates through our giving in the broader mission of the PCA on a national and regional level. The PCA has several permanent committees and agencies that Redeemer supports, as outlined below. Links are provided for more details.
Mission to North America, MNA
This important agency focuses on church planting, ministerial training, and the spiritual vitality of both ministers and churches. MNA also has several ministries of focus that Redeemer utilizes, including Mercy Ministry consulting and training, Engaging Disability, ESL ministry, Disaster relief, and the PCA Unity Fund. To learn more about MNA check out https://pcamna.org/
PCA Unity Fund https://pcamna.org/ministry/pca-unity-fund/
The purpose of this fund is to raise up minority Ruling Elders and Teaching Elders. The fund was established by the 44th General Assembly to help raise up future generations of godly, reformed, African American and other minority Ruling Elders and Teaching Elders.
South Texas Presbytery https://southtexaspresbytery.org/
South Texas Presbytery is one of 88 Presbyteries in the PCA. A presbytery is a regional body of churches that work together to govern the local church, ordain and credential ministers, oversee the orderly nature of church government and worship in its region, and to co-labor for the glory of God and the spread of the gospel. Our presbytery meets quarterly for worship and fellowship, and to govern the churches under our care together in South Texas (from Georgetown to Corpus Christi, San Antonio, to College Station). We oversee the ordination of all ministers, including RUF campus ministers. We hear reports about local church plants and new works in South Texas, and we handle any conflicts that need the collective wisdom and attention of the Presbytery.
Local Church Plants (Reach South Texas)
Pray for church planters in our area; Ben Hailey (College Station), Byron West (Dripping Springs), and Adam Radcliffe (Northwest Austin). Pray for continued providence for financial support and funding, pray for conversions and baptisms as people come to faith, and pray for these planters and their families.
Redeemer Hosts Presbytery Meeting
Pray for South Texas Presbytery as we meet on August 11 and 12 at Redeemer Austin. Pray for the ministerial candidates taking exams to be licensed and ordained to gospel ministry in the PCA. Pray for our committees to be diligent and effective in our work governing the church and providing spiritual and ministerial support to Pastors, Sessions, and churches in our Presbytery. Continue to pray for the RUF committee (including Brett Mercer) as they search for campus ministers at UT for the upcoming year. Finally, pray for all our local pastors. Presbytery, particularly worship and fellowship on Friday evenings, is meant to be a unique and refreshing time for pastors. Pastors have a unique calling to serve God’s people and to be served last. Presbytery is a time when pastors are served first by the host church. Redeemer will be serving our pastors in August. Pray for delight and refreshment in the gospel for each minister who will be with us in worship and fellowship.