MODERATOR

SUMMARY OF WORK

Greetings to you in the Name that is above all names, Our Lord Jesus Christ!

We remember four decades of blessings God has given the EPC as we return to this special place we call Ward Church. Think of the many co-laborers that have gathered here to serve the Lord and share His pleasure as we work together to Glorify Him and Enjoy Him forever. I am sure the best part of being a Moderator is the opportunity to collaborate with the finest servant leaders from across this denomination.

I would like to recognize four outgoing members from the National Leadership Team who represent the spirit of EPC leadership:

RE Earla Bethel, Presbytery of Florida and the Caribbean, is like a fresh breeze of the islands. What wonderful encouragement and a fountain of prayer she has been for the NLT these last six years. She is a savvy businessperson who brings confidence to do the right thing for the Glory of God.

TE Brian Evans, Presbytery of the Midwest, brings a sense of call to serve our Lord that is needed in all leadership teams. I love his calm sincere presence as we seek the Mind of Christ together. He speaks the truth in love.

TE Michael Flake, Presbytery of the Coastal Mid-Atlantic, is wise beyond his years and a pleasure to work with. It has been my honor to witness the next generation of leaders emerging and flourishing. Our future looks bright.

TE Joe Kim, Presbytery of the Pacific Northwest, is a smart leader who is wise. He has the theological depth that comes across as kindness because he is kind. I watched him lead us through a literal tornado! He is a natural blessing.

God has blessed the EPC with hundreds of servant leaders just like these four I thank today. The church is blessed when we share what we have with the Body of Christ. This year we are reminded of the Firm Foundation as Christ builds His Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it!

The direction of the EPC continues to move toward the Four Gospel Priorities driving our mission. Every NLT meeting this year was focused on the Strategic Priorities of the EPC:

• Church Planting Networks have grown, and I have seen groups of churches come together as partners or patrons to start new EPC church plants. Together we can do more than we have been able to do by ourselves. The goal is to have every congregation involved either as a Parent, Partner, or Patron to a new church. We can do this.
• This year we have seen almost every Presbytery establish a Church Health Coordinator. Revitalizing an existing church or providing a Transitional Pastor is good stewardship and a blessing to those congregations. The Transitional Pastor Training is designed to answer the challenges we face today.
• We have learned much from Engage 2025 as a Global Movement. There are still unreached and unengaged people groups. That continues to be our focus as the fields are white for harvest and the workers are few. I am excited for what God calls us to be as part of His worldwide church.
• Thinking about Effective Biblical Leadership from a Ruling Elder’s point of view reminds me of how blessed I was to have mentors take me to GA as a young man. My love for the EPC was nurtured by the relationships formed at GA. Our founders saw engaged RE’s as vital to the health of the church. Help lay the foundation for the Next Gen leader by bringing them to the Equipping Sessions and Network Lunches. I am grateful for the Elders who brought me years ago and the welcoming spirit of the EPC family.

My prayer for you this year is that you may feel The Lord’s pleasure as you serve His church. May we encourage one another toward growth in our relationship with Jesus and each other as we serve Him together. It has been my honor to serve The Evangelical Presbyterian Church as Moderator. May God continue to grow this family. He is faithful and He is so good.

Respectfully Submitted,

Victor R. Jones JR, Moderator
44th General Assembly

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