ISRAEL PALESTINE CONFLICT
The Reformed Church in America is a signatory on a letter calling for a ceasefire, protection of civilians, and peace in Gaza and the Middle East. Colts Neck Reformed Church continues to pray for an end to violence in the region. Please take the time to read the letter signed by the General Secretary of the RCA and others.
PRAYER FOR UKRAINE
Prayers for God’s Mercy in Ukraine (By RCA Commission on Christian Action)
God of Peace, who desires your children to live in harmony, we humbly ask that you—by your Holy Spirit—restrain those who would make war. Give them a new desire to live in accord with all people. In your mercy, hear our prayer.
Great God of Comfort, who desires all people to live without strife, we humbly pray that your Holy Spirit will bring peace and comfort to those in Ukraine who live under the fearful threat of invasion. Give them hope and confidence in your divine sovereignty. In your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of Wisdom, who holds the hearts and minds of all in your hands, we humbly pray that you will put thoughts of peace in the minds of world leaders and words of peace in their mouths that a peaceful solution might be found to these escalating tensions on the Russian–Ukrainian border. Gift world leaders with wisdom and desires for peace and justice. May cool heads from among all involved prevail. In your mercy, hear our prayer.
God who welcomed children while walking on this earth, we humbly pray that you will protect all children if conflict occurs. Surround them and their caretakers with a shield of protection. Guard them from all harm, that they may survive whatever may befall and that they will know your safety and live in innocence. In your mercy, hear our prayer.
Great God, who created your church to be your body on this earth. We humbly pray that you make your church in Ukraine strong, be it in war or in peace. Give your grace to the faithful disciples in the nations so that they may continue to be faithful witnesses to you by their faithful actions during these troubling times. In your mercy, hear our prayer. Amen.
INTERNATIONAL MISSION
Colts Neck Reformed Church supports missionaries through RCA Global Mission and other organizations. Here are our current missionaries. Some missionaries are serving in places that are hostile to Christian mission, so their names have been excluded. Please see more information about our missionaries and organizations in the next section or by visiting their websites.
Dr. Yohannes Bekele - Ethiopia - RCA Global Mission
Rev. Tara Woodward Bosman - South Africa - RCA Global Mission
A.L.* - Central Asia - Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU)
A. L., a member of our congregation, is serving as a missionary in Central Asia as part of the Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU) staff STINT (an international ministry). CRU's mission is to help fulfill the Great Commission in the power of the Holy Spirit by winning people to faith in Jesus Christ, building them in their faith, and sending them to win and build others; and helping the Body of Christ do evangelism and discipleship.
REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA GLOBAL MISSION & OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
The Reformed Church in America has a long history of international mission, which seeks to equip communities with resources for well-being. The RCA historically has spread the gospel through charitable work and justice work rather than planting churches, a conscious choice that seeks to fight against colonialism. Visit the RCA Global Missions website for more historical perspective. See below more information on some of Colts Neck Reformed Church's mission partners:
India - CNRC partners with Mission Partners India (MPI) in many ministries including women's ministries, livestock aid and small business development. The Church of South India is comprised of more than 4 million members, most of whom are Dalits (people previously referred to as the untouchables"). As a mission partner, MPI builds bridges between the Church of South India, RCA churches, businesses, and individuals to provide programs and services that equip and empower the Dalits, many of whom are unemployed or living below the poverty level. They focus on developing programs in education, micro-enterprise, skills training, and job creation, and promoting a culture of mutual respect. Our mission partner has been working in India since 2004. She previously served in Bosnia and Croatia, training refugees in micro-enterprise projects.
Ethiopia - The student body of Mekane Yesus Seminary in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia—the flagship theological institution of an 11-million-member rapidly growing denomination—is a beautiful representation of the diversity of God’s people. Many students travel to the seminary from rural areas to receive a proper theological education as they prepare to lead respectful missional ministries among their Muslim neighbors. Yohannes serves as the Director of the Christian-Muslim Relations Center at the seminary, which is tied to a bachelor’s and master’s degree program. This new Center will be pivotal in equipping pastors, evangelists, and other church leaders with the skills they need to provide a sensitive Christ-centered witness among their non- Christian neighbors.
South Africa - Stepping foot on the African continent imprints your life with its shades and sounds—birdsong, minibuses, and brimming market baskets. In South Africa, unprecedented urban growth brings promise and challenges. Its populated Gauteng province grapples with economic potential shadowed by political instability, poverty, and racial exclusion. The local church shoulders a monumental task—renewing their commitment of social, spiritual, and societal reconciliation as the good news for all people. Tara Woodward Bosman serves as a Missional Networker in South Africa. Tara builds bridges between churches on the African and North American continents to address the challenges of urban poverty in the Gauteng Province and to unite local churches and leadership toward a shared vision for the spiritual and social transformation of neighborhoods. Tara also connects South African young adults to a diverse diaspora network focusing on mentorship, job skills, and practice-based urban workplace theologies.
Other non-RCA Organizations:
World Renew serves worldwide as the development, disaster response, and justice arm of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. They envision a world where people experience and extend Christ's compassion and live together in hope as God's community. Their mission is to engage God's people in redeeming resources and developing gifts in collaborative activities of love, mercy, justice, and compassion.
Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) is a caring community passionate about connecting people to Jesus Christ.
