Reverend Jai Mahtani
216 Thornberry Drive
Pittsburgh PA 15235

Tel: (412) 371-2299; E-mail: jaimahtani@msn.com
May 1, 1999

Council & Congregation, Southwest Protestant Reformed Church
PR congregations, sister churches & denominational mission fields

Dear fellow saints,

Greetings from Your Eastern Home Missionary

        It has taken us a rather long time to settle here in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As most of you know, one of the reasons for this has been my recent struggle with depression. The good Lord has been pleased to use many means to restore me. Besides the help I got through medical attention, I have profited greatly from the godly counsel of various fellow ministers in our churches. In addition to that, one of the most precious means of recovery has been the communion of the saints. Many of you have sent letters, cards, and e-mails. And we know many others of you may not have written but faithfully remembered us in your prayers. Only eternity will reveal how God used so many of you in our time of need. It would be impossible for us to write to each one personally. Please accept our thanks by way of this newsletter to the churches. May the King Himself say to you in that day: "Ye did it unto Me!" (Matt. 25:40)
 

Updating You Through Quarterly Newsletters

        In this first quarterly newsletter, I will briefly introduce to you the members of the Protestant Reformed Mission of Pittsburgh. Next, I will inform you of the labors that are being done to promote the cause of the Reformed faith in this place, first within the core group, but then also beyond. Finally I will give you an idea of how the Mahtani family is faring in this new place of labor. Enclosed with this newsletter are four items: 1) a newly printed brochure we are mailing out to those who have shown interest in our labors; 2) a tape containing two one-minute announcements being aired on the radio to advertise our worship services as well as the Reformed Witness Hour; 3) a name card which is handed out to new contacts; 4) a family picture. We trust these items will help to keep you informed of the labors of your home missionary.
 

The Protestant Reformed Mission of Pittsburgh

        The gospel of grace continues to be preached in Pittsburgh under the Lord's blessing. The saints here are very thankful for the regular preaching which went on even during my illness. They had to have reading and video services at different times, but Prof. Dykstra and Rev. Bruinsma were also here to fill the pulpit various times. The core group clearly yearns for the pure preaching of the Word and continues to labor zealously for a Protestant Reformed congregation to be established here in Pittsburgh in God's good time. Most of the members of the core group are recent converts from Roman Catholicism. Keith and Peggy Bauman have four children: Kelly (21), Jamie (17), Jason (17), and Anthony (10). This family has been attending the worship services and catechism classes regularly. Keith's parents, Ron and Sylvia Bauman, are also faithful members of the group. Keith's sister, Laura, and her eightyear old son, Brad, are also in regular attendance. Peggy Bauman has a brother, Bobby, who has also joined the group more recently. Besides this extended family within the group, we have a serious-minded young man by the name of Mike O'Niell (21) who is a vital part of the group. Last but not least, we have an elderly member in the group, Mr. Ed Brown, who has two children in Peace PRC. Besides these saints from Pittsburgh, we also have in our midst two young men from Grand Rapids, Michigan, who have moved to the area. Doug Bekkering (Georgetown PRC) and Jason Kuiper (Grace PRC) have taken up jobs in Pittsburgh and are zealous members of the group. With their faithful attendance, and together with the missionary and his family, there are usually twenty-five to thirty souls at the Lord's Day services.
 

Promoting the Reformed Faith on the Mission Field

        There are various ways in which we are seeking to promote the Reformed faith here in Pittsburgh. First and foremost are the labors of the preaching and teaching of God's Word. I am presently expounding Christ's Sermon on the Mount to introduce the basic principles of God's kingdom to the recently converted saints in Pittsburgh. The Heidelberg Catechism is also being preached under a mission theme: "Reaching the Nations with the Gospel of Grace." Each Lord's Day is explained with a twofold emphasis. The newly converted saints are exhorted first of all to know the gospel of grace for themselves and their children.

        Then secondly, as a vital fruit of this precious knowledge, the saints are exhorted to reach others with the same gospel of grace. The Catechism therefore is being explained on the mission field from the viewpoint of our calling to defend the hope that is within us. It is encouraging to see how the members of the group have first gone to their own family members and are also attempting to bring neighbors and colleagues to the worship services. They use the name cards we have printed to invite friends to call the missionary or to visit the meetings. A vibrant witness both by our walk and our talk is the most effective way to do evangelism. More useful is word of mouth than all advertisement put together.

        Thirdly, the Word is going out through the radio. We have been encouraged by the response we have had to the Reformed Witness Hour, which has drawn half a dozen requests for tapes, as well as a couple of visitors. We have also begun airing special announcements during the week to let the people know about our regular worship services as well as the Reformed Witness Hour which is aired on Sundays. Listen to the tape we are enclosing and pray that this endeavor will also meet with the Lord's blessing.

        Another means we are using is the printed page. We have all our RFPA books, tracts, and pamphlets displayed in the parsonage. Besides this, we have recently produced our own brochure, which tells people specifically about the Protestant Reformed Mission. The work that went into producing the brochure was minimized since we asked Georgetown PRC if we could adapt their brochure for our use on the field.
 

Ongoing Labors with the Core Group

        Now that I am better, I have again begun visiting each of the saints in their homes. Bringing the Word from house to house not only helps me get to know the needs of the saints better, but it is very encouraging for the members of the group. The recently converted saints have many questions. Their Roman Catholic friends and relatives constantly pose questions. These they desire to answer, but often find the need for help. They are so glad to have a missionary present with them, and one who is now well again to spend time with them. In the summer months when we do not have catechism or Bible studies, they would like to meet to discuss Prof. Engelsma's new book on marriage. We hope to have a retreat for the group sometime this summer or fall so that they can come closer together to share their struggles, dreams, and visions as they develop in the Reformed faith. Another idea tossed around is a visit by the group to Grand Rapids to see the seminary, the churches, and the schools to get an idea of the full life of our churches.
 

Other Contacts

        Besides laboring with the core group, I have also begun some labors with others in the area. For instance, I have been invited a couple of times to preach for Faith Reformed Church, which has a German Reformed background. This congregation is located in Butler, some fifty miles north of Pittsburgh. Some in this older congregation desire to return to the "old paths," but others prefer the more liberal way. Time will tell how this contact develops. Various contacts have also been made with believers who have a Reformed Presbyterian or Orthodox Presbyterian background. We also have made contact with the Hungarian Reformed churches in the area. The purpose of making these contacts is to help us get a footing in the area, which we believe will serve us well in the continued labors of mission work here in Pittsburgh and in other parts of the USA.

        We envisage that we will be called upon to pursue other missionary labors with various groups scattered throughout eastern USA in the days ahead. But that will have to wait as we first look and pray for continued health, and seek to establish the local work here in Pittsburgh first. Pray, beloved, that the Word of God may continue to be spread. Pray that God may be pleased to establish the labors of our hands. Pray that the Lord of the harvest will gather His harvest for His glory.
 

Family News

        The Mahtani family is well, by the grace of God. The boys are enjoying their time at Trinity Christian School. They tell us that it is more biblical and Reformed than the school they attended in Houston, and that it is also tougher both in discipline and in academics. The picture of our family will show you how quickly they are growing. Jonathan and David are 14-year-old teenagers now. They keep their grades up, so we let them enjoy basketball, soccer, and track at school. Benjamin (11) and Samuel (10) are eager to grow into that age range and get on with the program. They seem to be making new friends and are enjoying Pittsburgh. Peter (7), we are told by his teacher, is the darling in his first grade class, with constant smiles and bright new ideas. The three youngest at home are Titus (4), Mary (2), and Martha (1). You can imagine what a busy and lively household we have. We truly continue to live in the amazement of Jehovah's goodness and mercies. Esther has endured a difficult time with all the moving but has once again proven to be a great help, truly meet for her husband. I praise her and I humbly acknowledge that she is the most precious jewel Jehovah has given me.
 

Visits to the Field

        My concluding remarks will come as a surprise to most of you. It is so uncharacteristic of the Mahtanis. We have always welcomed people into our home and always enjoyed showing hospitality to the saints. Besides that, we have always said to everybody, get interested in missions by visiting the fields! However, I have had to ask several of you to hold off your visits due to my illness. And now that I am better, I have had calls from many people planning to visit Pittsburgh this summer. Beloved, I would love for you all to visit the field. It will be good for the saints here and for us. However, due to the present situation, I am requesting that you postpone your visits till perhaps later in the year. I need to recover and I need to devote myself to the work here. I am not saying do not come at all. I am only requesting postponement. Since we arrived in Pittsburgh we have been trying to settle into the work but have found it hard due to my ill health. Now that I am getting better, the first priority is to work with the core group and to make new contacts. The time will come when we will not only desire but also encourage more visits to the field.

        We end with thanks again for your love and ask for your continued prayers for us as we labor for the extension of God's kingdom here in Pittsburgh and, the Lord willing, other parts of eastern USA.

In His love,
Rev. Jai Mahtani

Eastern Home Missionary, PRC