Dear friends and fellow saints,

Greetings

      Greetings in the love of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ!  Although we live in uncertain times of war and distress in the world, we know with certainty that God is on His throne.  Let us remember the words of Psalm 46:10:  “Be still, and know that I am God:  I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Good Friday and Easter Sunday

      Good Friday and Easter Sunday are around the corner!  Besides the regular worship services every Lord’s Day at 9:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., the Protestant Reformed Mission of Pittsburgh encourages all its local contacts to join us at our special services.  This is done through flyers that are distributed by members of the group and through newsletters such as these.  Please find the Good Friday and Easter Sunday flyer attached with this newsletter.

Reaching the Nations Through the Radio

      We continue to reach out to others in the Pittsburgh area and beyond via radio.  Besides the Reformed Witness Hour, we have regular promotions throughout the year that highlight our events.  Here is an example of one of our seven radio announcements entitled:  “Reaching the Nations with the Gospel of Grace”:  Announcer:  “Rev. Jai Mahtani of the Protestant Reformed Mission of Pittsburgh talks about Good Friday and Easter Sunday.…”  Rev. Mahtani:  “The question of evil is answered at the Cross.  Although wicked men crucified Christ, and stand guilty of their wicked deed, this happened according to the ‘determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God’ (Acts 2:23).  God sent His Son into the world to die on the Cross in order to give His people eternal victory over sin and death.  We desire to reach the nations with this gospel of grace that extols the sovereignty of God over all things.  We invite you to worship with us every Sunday at Trinity Christian School or tune in to the RWH….”  Announcer:  “If you need more information, contact Rev. Mahtani at 412-371-2299 or find them on the web at WORDFM.COM, sponsored by the PR Mission of Pittsburgh.”  Several have come to our services on account of such announcements.

A Truly Catholic Mission

      In recent months and weeks, it has become more and more apparent that the PR Mission in Pittsburgh is truly catholic.  Their missionary is a Singaporean-American of Indian descent; the membership is made up of German, Irish, African-American, Indian, Chinese, and a mixture of other backgrounds.  It is truly heartening to see a congregation being gathered out of so many different backgrounds.  Yet they gather together in gratitude to God for His sovereign and gracious salvation in Jesus Christ.  The words of the inspired apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:3-6 keep coming to mind:  “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”  Perhaps God in His providence will even add to us a Dutch family or two?

New Contacts and Visitors

      We continue to make new contacts all the time, and we are pleased to have visitors at our worship services and Bible studies.  In recent weeks, for example, one of our members at the mission brought along a friend, another brought his brother, yet another invited his boss from work, and yet another brought along a colleague from work.  We also have had visitors from Trinity School, as well as people who have come in response to our radio promotions.  This is, to say the least, encouraging.  Many of those who come are very new to the Reformed faith, and we are thankful for the privilege of introducing them to the doctrines of grace.  This is of course one of the most exciting parts of missionary labors.  Sometimes we throw up our hands in despair, even crying to the Lord:  “Why do they all come with so many complicated problems and other difficulties?” but we realize that that is exactly why we are here: to preach the gospel to sinners such as we are.

Opportunities to Speak

      We are also thankful for various opportunities to speak at different places. We are scheduled to speak at Trinity Christian School for the Honors Awards ceremony May 7.  The Indian Christian Fellowship that meets once a month has asked me to speak June 21.  At least two other local churches are working on the possibility of my preaching for them in the future.  We look forward to these opportunities to bring the Word, and our prayer is that the Lord may use these means for the ingathering and upbuilding of His church.

Bethel’s Evangelism Conference

      Bethel PRC in Roselle, Illinois has invited me to speak at their evangelism conference scheduled for May 2-4.  Plans are for a speech Friday night and a forum Saturday, with the Sunday sermons related to the same subject of missions.  Although this takes me away from the field and family, I appreciate the opportunity to speak in one of our churches on this subject dear to my heart. 

Missions Conference and Ministers’ Retreat

      Rev. Miersma and I were able to attend the Missions Conference sponsored by the DMC in Grand Rapids on March 13.  We thought the conference was profitable and were thankful for the platform given to us to discuss various concerns we face as missionaries.  We were also able to remain behind for the PR Ministers’ Retreat – a good time of fellowship as colleagues in the ministry.  However, I was humiliated – Rev. Gritters beat me at ping-pong – not one game, not two, but three in a row!  Yes, a return match is being planned for sometime really soon!

Visit to the Grand Rapids Area

      Our family plans to be in the Grand Rapids area April 11-14 to meet with the Southwest Council and to worship with our calling church.  Please mark your calendars for April 13, 8:00 p.m. if you would like to hear a live update on eastern home missions at Southwest church. 

Allentown, PA

      With this newsletter, you will also find another flyer announcing a special visit to the Allentown, PA area.  For those of you who have been reading my newsletters, you know that we have had some contacts in that area for some time.  In recent months there has been increased interest, and it is the purpose of this upcoming visit to evaluate the interest further.  Seeing Rev. Overway and Covenant PRC are geographically only a couple hours away from Allentown, PA, it was thought wise to have him accompany me for this visit.  If you know anyone living in and around the Allentown area, please help us spread the word regarding this special visit end of April 2003.

Family Matters

      The family is fast growing up.  The Lord willing, our youngest daughter, Martha, will go to kindergarten in the fall.  Benjamin recently turned sixteen, which means we now have five drivers in the Mahtani household!  The Lord willing, Jonathan and David will graduate from high school May 30, 2003.  If you are able to come to Pittsburgh at that time, we also plan to have a graduation party for them at the Trinity School’s cafeteria on May 31, and would like to welcome you to join us.  This, of course, will give you opportunity to worship with the PR Mission June 1, 2003.  Jonathan and David are planning to attend Grove City, a Presbyterian college about an hour away from home.  They plan to return home on the weekends and continue to play the music for our services.  The rest of the family is doing well; Peter and Mary are taking piano lessons, and so is Esther.  In the next school year, especially when all the children are in class, the house will be quiet, and Esther will have nothing to do!  I told her she can come to the Mission Office to help me every day, but she says she has other plans.  I am so thankful for the zealous support of my wife and children in the work of missions in Pittsburgh. 

Upcoming Visits of Covenant Band and the DMC

      Although we expect both the Covenant Christian School band as well as the DMC delegates to visit us the last week in March, this April newsletter has to be ready and sent out before their arrival.  We eagerly anticipate their arrival, and look forward to a time of mutual encouragement. 

Closing Remarks

      May we press on in the faith of the Son of God who gathers, defends, and preserves His church!  In spite of many uncertainties we are thankful for the certainty of faith that overcomes the world.

In His love,

Rev. Jai Mahtani

Protestant Reformed Mission

Special Services

Good Friday

Friday, April 18, 2003

7:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday

Sunday, April 20, 2003

9:30 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.

All information regarding our services, including directions to Trinity Christian School,

can be found in the information below.

All of our mid-week meetings continue to be held at our Mission Office on Ardmore Boulevard.

Please feel free to contact Pastor Mahtani at the number(s) below for any additional information.

Protestant Reformed Mission                                                Sunday Worship Services:

Reverend Jai Mahtani                                                            9:30 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.

2140 Ardmore Boulevard, Thompson Building                 Meeting at Trinity Christian School's Library

Pittsburgh, PA 15221                                                     299 Ridge Avenue, Forest Hills, PA 15221

(412) 371-2299 or toll-free 1-877-774-3571                     Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour

E-Mail: jaimahtani@msn.com                                         Sunday's 10 a.m. on 101.5 WORD FM

Directions to Trinity Christian School:

From Monroeville-

Take 376 West toward Pittsburgh.

Exit at exit 10A, Churchill - from left lane.

Turn left at second traffic light (Graham Blvd).

At stop sign - bear left onto Greensburg Pike.

Get in right lane.  You will pass Woodland Hills High School.

Just past the high school, turn right onto Braddock Road.

At the third stop sign turn left onto Ridge Avenue.

Entrance to Trinity will be just past the track and field on right, drive to rear of school.

From Downtown-

Take 376 East toward Monroeville.

Exit at exit 9, Greensburg Pike.

When you come off exit ramp turn left and get into the right lane on Greensburg Pike.

You will pass Woodland Hills High School.

Just past the high school, turn right onto Braddock Road.

At the third stop sign turn left onto Ridge Avenue.

Entrance to Trinity will be just past the track and field on right, drive to rear of school.

A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

YOU ARE INVITED

TO A WEEKEND OF FELLOWSHIP

AROUND GOD’S WORD

IN THE ALLENTOWN AREA

April 25-28, 2003

with

             Rev. Jai Mahtani                               Rev. David Overway

             Eastern Home Missionary                &                   Pastor, Covenant PRC

          Protestant Reformed Churches                                           Wyckoff, NJ

Friday, April 25: Bible Study 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 26:  House Visits *

Sunday, April 27:  Worship Service 3:00 p.m.

Meeting Place for Bible Study & Worship Service:

Residence of John and Trudie LaBarre

5902 Newside Road

Schnecksville, PA 18078

Tel:  1-610-760-0440

CONTACT INFORMATION:

                            Rev. Jai Mahtani                                                                Rev. David Overway

                        216 Thornberry Drive                                                           238 Squawbrook Road          

                         Pittsburgh, PA 15235                                                               Wyckoff, NJ 07481

                 Tel:  1-877-774-3571 (toll-free)                                                          1-201-848-4191

*     If you would like to have a visit, please contact us.  The above meetings are being held in the hopes of investigating the possibility of establishing a Protestant Reformed witness in the Allentown area.  Protestant Reformed video services are currently held every Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at the LaBarre residence.  All are welcome to attend.