Eastern
Home Missionary
Newsletter
September 10, 2003
Rev. Jai Mahtani
216 Thornberry Drive
Pittsburgh PA 15235
Tel: (412)
371-2299
E-mail: jaimahtani@msn.com
Dear friends and fellow saints,
Greetings!
Greetings in the Name of Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who sits at
the right hand of God and who will come again for us at that great and notable day. May we who confess that we belong to our beloved
Savior live not unto ourselves but unto Him who is our faithful Lord, watching and waiting
for His final return. Beloved, let us not
become faint and weary in the midst of wars and tribulations, but rather let us with
uplifted heads, through thankful lives and cheerful songs, proclaim: Lo, He comes!
Brief Update
It is time to write again to give you a brief update on eastern home missions. The Lord continues to give us open doors to bring
the gospel of grace to Pittsburgh and other parts of eastern USA. We keep very busy in the work, and we are thankful
for the privilege and honor to serve as one of the missionaries of our churches. Thank you for your prayers and for your letters. Knowing that many of you are reading our
newsletters makes it easier to write them.
Preaching the Word
The Word of God continues to be received with enthusiasm by the saints at the PR
Mission of Pittsburgh. We are happy to report
that there has been an increase in the number of people attending the worship services,
usually around forty but sometimes about fifty. Although
we realize that numbers are not the most important thing, it is nevertheless encouraging
to see numerical growth. Several new people
have begun attending our services in the last six months, and we look forward to a new
study season preaching and teaching the Word of God in catechism, doctrine classes, Bible
studies, etc. While there are many other
labors to be done on the mission field (pastoral counseling, leading the Steering Committee, advertising, mailing, etc.), it is the
preaching of the Word that is the chief means by which the Lord is pleased to gather,
defend, and preserve His church.
Confession of Faith
September 21,
2003 was a very special day for the saints in Pittsburgh.
Ten adults made confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Under the supervision of the elders of the calling
church, these saints expressed their hearty commitment to the Reformed faith as it is
upheld in the Protestant Reformed churches. It
was a joyous occasion indeed, and we were encouraged by the presence of many visitors that
Lord’s Day, both from our churches and from the area.
A delegate from the Domestic Mission Committee, Rev. Rodney Kleyn, was also
present, and he preached for the morning service. The
membership papers of the saints in Pittsburgh are now held in our calling church,
Southwest PRC, with a view to the establishment of a PR congregation in Pittsburgh in the
Lord’s good time. Rejoice with us in
this happy development, and pray that the Lord might be pleased to continue to add fruit
upon the labors of missions in Pittsburgh.
New Study Season
We are
sending out this newsletter to our churches but also to our eastern mission contacts in
the Pittsburgh area just in time to announce our new study season that begins October 14,
2003. We have in the past had several
visitors join our weeknight meetings. Some
who do not yet worship with us on a regular basis attend our Bible studies or our Ladies
Fellowship,
Back from Iraq
One of the sons of our mission, Jason Bauman, returned home safely from Iraq at the
end of August 2003. We gave him a hero’s
welcome home, glad for him and his family that he was preserved from harm and danger. You can imagine the worry in the hearts of the
parents and grandparents, who are members of the Pittsburgh Mission. Constant prayers were raised at our mission for
his safe return. His testimony is that the
prayers of the saints kept him while he was at war. It
is good to hear his testimony and his commitment to return to the Pittsburgh Mission after
he finishes his military stint in the summer of 2004.
Let us continue to pray for others like him who are far away from home and from the
communion of saints, fighting the war in Iraq.
Reformation Celebrations 2003
We look
forward with eager anticipation again to our Reformation Celebrations. This year we will have one of the professors of
our seminary, Professor David Engelsma, come to Pittsburgh to give the lecture and to
preach for us at the PR Mission. Professor
Engelsma’s lecture is entitled: “The
Reformation’s Influence on the Family — Blessing and Bane.” We believe that this is a timely subject also for
us on the mission field. It is hard to
believe that this will be our 6th annual Reformation Celebrations here in
Pittsburgh! So mark your calendars for
October 31st through November 2nd, 2003, and come join us this year. We call it celebrations because we believe
that God’s people, especially those who love the doctrines of grace restored to the
church through the Reformation, ought to remain joyfully thankful for God’s gracious
preservation of the truths of His Word in our midst.
Therefore, each year we sponsor a special lecture Friday evening on a topic related
to the Reformation, followed by refreshments and fellowship; we gather again on Saturday
for a luncheon with our guest speaker, and then usually have a more informal meeting to
discuss matters relating to the theme of our celebrations; and, of course, on Sunday we
have our two worship services centering on the theme of our annual celebrations. All are welcome!
Several out-of-town guests have attended in the past, and we look forward again to
a good gathering and a profitable time of fellowship around the Word of God. Please see the flyer attached (enclosure 1) for
further details.
Visitors to Pittsburgh
Visitors to the PR Mission of Pittsburgh enjoy a special rate at the Holiday Inn
Monroeville. Several of you have taken
advantage of this and have visited us already. Although
we have sent this information out before, we are doing so again with this newsletter. Please remember that our services are now no
longer at 11:00 a.m. but at 9:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Also,
please know that in order to take advantage of the special rate at the Holiday Inn, you
must make your advance reservations directly with the hotel. Please review the information attached (enclosure
2), which gives written directions not only to the motel but also to our meeting place(s).
Evangelism Conferences
The Covenant
of Grace Fellowship in Spokane, Washington invited me to speak at an evangelism conference
September 12-14, 2003. As was the case with
the evangelism conference sponsored by Bethel PRC in Roselle, Illinois earlier this year,
Rev. Miersma and the saints in Spokane were interested in the work being done in the
Pittsburgh Mission both through the official ministry of the Word and through the faithful
witness of the saints. It was such a joy to
meet up with Rev. Miersma again, and to enjoy the fellowship of his family as well as the
saints in Spokane. It is a good thing that
as home missionaries we are able to meet together once in awhile to inspire each other in
our work. We were able to spend a few extra
days walking and talking, taking in the beautiful scenery in that part of the country,
while sharpening our thoughts on missions. The
Lord willing, another such conference is being sponsored by Wyckoff, New Jersey, Nov 7-10,
2003.
Allentown and Hazelton, PA
Rev. David
Overway, pastor of Covenant PRC in Wyckoff, New Jersey, has been assisting in the work in
Allentown and Hazelton, PA. Rev. Overway
accompanied me there in April 2003, returned there with his family in July 2003, and plans
to go again in January 2004. The Lord
willing, we will make a joint visit again to the area October 3-6, 2003 (see enclosure 3). Although these are only investigatory labors, we
are both finding great joy in this kind of follow-up work, making new contacts in the
area, and building upon the contacts we already have.
Each time we go, we hold a Bible Study on Friday, make house
visits on Saturday, and preach twice on the Lord’s Day. The saints who are interested in our presence in
that area are separated by some distance from each other, and it has not yet been decided
where we would establish our labors. As a matter of fact,
at this stage of the work, we have not even committed ourselves to any extensive labors in
the area. With a view to our possibly doing
long-term mission work in the area, the saints there have been encouraged to listen to PR
video sermons, read our pamphlets and books, and seek to make the Reformed faith known to
friends and neighbors. Periodically, Rev.
Overway and I will visit the field, sometimes jointly, at other times individually, as we
continue to investigate the field, develop the contacts we already have there, and wait on
the Lord for His direction in the future.
Meetings with Council and DMC
The elders
and deacons of Southwest PRC have made several visits to Pittsburgh this year. It will be my turn to return to Grand Rapids
October 18-20, 2003, for face-to-face meetings with the men in the council and also in the
Domestic Mission Committee. It is an honor
and privilege to serve not only in our denomination, but also, and especially, with the
officebearers in the calling church and with the men who serve on the denomination’s
Mission Committee. Pray that the Lord will
continue to grant us unity in faith and in vision, that we might temper each other with
realistic goals and with good enthusiasm for the task of missions. What a glorious privilege God has given to us to
uphold and disseminate the gospel of God’s unconditional and unbreakable covenant
that He Himself has established in Jesus Christ. May
we never compromise the truth of the gospel of God. And
may we ever be zealous and diligent in our mission labors.
Officebearers’ Conference
It was pure
delight to attend the officebearers’ conference that preceded the meeting of Classis
West in South Holland, Illinois, September 2, 2003. The
schism of 1953 was the theme, with various speeches and sectionals focusing on different
aspects of the covenant. The instruction was
profitable, and the fellowship blessed. Recovering
from a sprained ankle, I decided to take the Amtrak instead of driving to and back from
Chicago. This meant I could also do some work
while traveling. It was in fact on the train
that much of this newsletter was written. More
than the pleasant experience on the train, I was much encouraged and inspired by the
blessed fellowship and instruction at the conference.
Growing Family
Many things
are happening in the Mahtani home, but the main thing to report is growth. No, there is no new addition. But we look back in wonderment as we rejoice in
twenty years of marriage, God preserving us in His mercy and love. Jonathan and David are now in college, taking
pre-seminary courses at Grove City, about an hour away from home. They return every weekend to worship with us in
the Pittsburgh Mission, and continue to provide music for our services. They joined with eight others to make confession
of faith this past month, and you can understand the joy and gratitude to God that we have
as parents. They aspire to enter the ministry of the Word and sacraments in our churches,
and we with them wait on the Lord to confirm and direct as He pleases. The other children are also fast growing. Benjamin and Samuel attended and enjoyed the
Young People’s Convention held in beautiful Colorado recently. In fact, we took a family vacation and drove
1,500 miles together, with Ben doing most of the driving.
Martha, our youngest, is now in kindergarten, and she is enjoying it very much.
Closing Remarks
We are thankful for those friends and fellow saints who visit, who write, who call,
and, we know, who pray. It is impossible to
respond to each one personally, but we hope you continue to enjoy these newsletters. We covet your prayers, and we want you to know
that although we keep busy in mission labors, we also face manifold trials and
discouragements. Sometimes we feel like
giving up, overwhelmed and depressed. Sometimes
we think it would be better for our family to be in an established congregation, to enjoy
the fellowship and support of the saints, and to escape the temptations and the isolation
faced on the mission field. But we remind
ourselves, as the writer to the Hebrews exhorts in Hebrews 12:1, 2: “Wherefore, seeing we are compassed about
with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside the weight of sin that so easily
besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus,
the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the
cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of God.”
Until next time, may God’s
blessings be upon you and your family.
In
His Love,
The Protestant Reformed Mission
of Pittsburgh
presents
Our 6th Annual Reformation
Celebrations
October 31st through
November 2nd, 2003
with
Professor Engelsma
Theological Seminary
Protestant Reformed Churches
"The Reformation's Influence on
the Family - Blessing & Bane"
Reformation Lecture
Friday, October 31,
2003
7:30 p.m.
"The Trials & Blessings of
Christian Marriage"
Forum on Marriage
& Family
Saturday, November 1,
2003
2:30 p.m.
“The Marriage of the
Church”
Sermon on Ezekiel
16:8-14
Sunday, November 2,
2003
9:30 a.m.
"The Covenant Home”
Sermon on Psalm
128:1-4
Sunday, November 2,
2003
6:00 p.m.
Prof.
Engelsma was ordained as a minister in the Protestant Reformed Churches in September of
1963. That same year he became the minister
of Loveland PRC in Colorado, where he served until 1974.
Following his service in Loveland, Professor Engelsma spent 14 years as minister
for South Holland PRC in Illinois until 1988. In
1988, he was ordained as a professor in our Theological Seminary. Prof. Engelsma will present his Reformation
lecture Friday evening, October 31st, and will preach for our Lord’s Day
worship services on November 2nd. Our
Reformation Day Celebrations will be held at our regular place of worship, the Library of
Trinity Christian School. Refreshments will follow the lecture Friday evening. We will also have our weekly dinner fellowship
following the evening service on Sunday. A
luncheon is being organized on Saturday, November 1st, at Mitchell’s Fish
Market in Homestead at the Waterfront at 12:00 p.m. Afterwards, at around 2:00 p.m., we will proceed to our Mission Office for a
forum on the trials and blessings of marriage. A
collection will be taken the night of the lecture to help defray expenses for our annual
Reformation Day Celebrations. If you have any
questions, or need further information, please feel free to contact our eastern home
missionary, Rev. Jai Mahtani, at (412) 371-2299.
Welcome to
the Protestant Reformed Mission of Pittsburgh
This
is important information for all who plan to visit the Protestant Reformed Mission of
Pittsburgh.
Please
keep this information so that you have it when you need it. Thank you. We
continue to have several out-of-town visitors to our mission. When do you
plan to come?
We
continue to enjoy special arrangements made with the Holiday Inn, Monroeville, east of
Pittsburgh and close to Trinity Christian School, our Mission Office, and the Mahtani
residence.
Visitors
to the PR Mission stay at the Holiday Inn, Monroeville at a special nightly rate of $49.95
per room per night. Reservations must be made
directly with the sales department by calling to speak with Larry or Andrea. The telephone number is 412-372-1022. You must mention that you are making a reservation
as a guest of the PR Mission in order to get this special rate.
From
Airport:
Follow route 60 to Pittsburgh, merges onto route 22/30 still heading for Pittsburgh, route
number will change to 279 North still approaching Pittsburgh, go through Fort Pitt tunnels
and exit to the right for route 376 East. Follow
route 376 East to the second Monroeville exit (do not take the Monroeville Business exit). Make a left at second light for the Holiday Inn.
Via
Turnpike:
Exit 6 (Pittsburgh/Monroeville), bear to the left for Business route 22. At first traffic light, make a left turn onto
route 48, proceed 500 yards to next signal light, turn left into driveway.
From
North: Follow
route 79 to intersection with route 279 south and proceed to route 376 east, to the second
Monroeville exit (do not take the Monroeville Business exit) make a left at second traffic
light.
From
South:
Follow route 70 to intersection with PA Turnpike (US 76) and use the directions above
"via Turnpike."
Exiting Holiday Inn, make a right
onto Mosside Blvd. and proceed to first traffic light.
Go straight through that intersection and take 376 West toward Pittsburgh. Take the Churchill exit 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.
Turn right into school and left to the playground.
We worship in the school’s Library located at the rear of the school. The address is 299 Ridge Avenue, Forest Hills, PA
15221.
* Lord’s Day Worship Services
9:30 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. We
have a dinner fellowship after the evening service where everyone brings something to
share in the meal. All are welcome!
To
Mission Office (Tel: 412-371-2299) *
Follow directions above from Holiday
Inn to Trinity Christian School, but instead of turning left onto Ridge Avenue, continue
on Braddock Road till you come to the main road, which is Ardmore Blvd. When you come to Ardmore Blvd., turn left at
traffic light. We are located about a mile
down that road, on the right hand side. The
address is 2140 Ardmore Blvd., 2nd Floor, Forest Hills, PA 15221.
*
Catechism Classes Wednesday 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Bible Study Thursday 8:00-9:00 p.m.
Follow
directions above from Holiday Inn to Trinity Christian School, but instead of turning
right onto Braddock, go on to the traffic light and turn left onto Lewin. Take an immediate right onto Thornberry, and look
for the fifth house on the left. The address
is 216 Thornberry Drive, Pittsburgh 15235.
* Please note that we are located east of Pittsburgh. The missionary’s residence is in Churchill,
while both Trinity Christian School and the Mission Office are located in Forest Hills.
YOU
ARE INVITED
To
a Weekend of Fellowship Around God’s Word
with
Eastern Home
Missionary
&
Pastor, Covenant PRC
Protestant Reformed Churches
Wyckoff, NJ
Residence of John and Trudie LaBarre
5902 Newside Road
Schnecksville, PA 18078
Saturday, October 4:
House Visits *
Sunday, October 5: Worship Service 1:00 p.m.
Held at: the Conyngham Valley Bible
Church
475 Main Street
Conyngham,
PA 18219
Sunday, October 5: Worship Service 5:00 p.m.
Held at: the residence of John and
Trudie LaBarre
(see above for address)
CONTACT
INFORMATION
Tel: 1-877-774-3571(toll-free)
Tel: 1-201-847-1754
jaimahtani@msn.com
doverway@netzero.net
John & Trudie
LaBarre
Tony & Lisa DelGiudice
Tel: 1-610-760-0440 Tel: 1-570-788-8292
*
If you would like us to visit you,
please contact us. The above meetings are
being held in the hopes of establishing a Protestant Reformed witness in the Allentown
and/or Hazleton areas. Protestant Reformed
video services are currently held every Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
at the Conyngham Valley Bible Church and at 3:00 p.m. at the LaBarre residence. However, on October 5, the services will be at
1:00 p.m.
and 5:00 p.m.
All are welcome