Jesus Hope Church of Georgia – Suwanee, GA
A new congregation of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta
On Sunday, November 15, 2009, our brothers and sisters from as far south as Macon and as far north as Louisville, Kentucky, gathered in Suwanee, Georgia, to celebrate the Chartering of the Jesus Hope Church of Georgia. Our faithful commissioners and pastors Mark Crumpler and Byeongho Choi attended and led worship in the service, along with myself and Greater Atlanta Moderator Mark Roberson. Rev. Choi preached an inspiring sermon, relating the mission of a church to Noah’s Ark. The hallmarks of a faithful church of Christ, Rev. Choi told us, are demonstration of God’s inclusivity, forgiveness, and love.
On of the highlights of the service included the ordination of men and women as elders, deacons, and kwansa. These newly ordained leaders prepared for their ministry through prayer and discernment, and took part in the Lay Leadership Training Program, which is a ministry of the NCDC, Columbia Seminary, and the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta. Led by Korean pastors and professors of Columbia Theological Seminary, over a ten-week period, they studied together topics such as stewardship, biblical interpretation, leadership, worship, pcusa polity and tradition, and korean church history and tradition.
When the charter was granted (see picture above!) at the end of the worship service, everyone clapped and cheered together. The enthusiasm in the room was a witness to the empowerment of the Holy Spirit who called so many to use God’s gifts to them in ministry through the community of Jesus Hope. The entire evening was a testimony to Rev. Park’s creative and dedicated leadership and kind and welcoming spirit that he has embodied throughout his ministry. All present received the wonderful hospitality of the people of Jesus Hope, enjoying a meal of traditional Korean dishes.
During worship, congregants graciously gave their offering in Thanksgiving to God to the work of the New Church Development Commission. Thanks to the generosity of this newly constituted congregation (the newest that day in the whole denomination!), we collected $1492 for our ministry!
As you prepare to celebrate thanksgiving this year, please give thanks with me for the mission and witness of these faithful and generous brothers and sisters of our faith.
And when you are able, be sure to welcome them into our denomination.
