Welcome to the PCA!

This last Sunday evening I had the distinct pleasure of helping welcome a new church into the Presbyterian Church in America.  The church is Knox Presbyterian Church of Harrison Township, Michigan (metro Detroit).  Knox was formally affiliated with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) and was one of the founding members of that denomination. 

In the photo (double click to enlarge) are members of Knox's current Session, members of Great Lakes Presbytery, a former pastor, and Knox's two current pastors, Doug Graham and Ryan McVicar.  Doug and Ryan are in the back row on either side of the cross - Doug on the right, Ryan on the left.  On the far right in the black robe is George Woodcock, Pastor Emeritus.  Front row, far right is Rev. Mark Hudson, former associate pastor of Knox who now serves as Associate Pastor of Tyrone Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Fenton.  Far left is Del Belcher, former EPC minister who now serves Pathway Presbyterian (PCA) in Brighton, Michigan (metro Detroit).  Behind him in the robe in Dan Millward, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian in Traverse City, Michigan.  I am in the back row on the right. 

Some might wonder if our presbytery has been recruiting from the EPC.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  Doug earned his MDiv. at Covenant Theological Seminary and has many close friends in the PCA.  Over a year ago he was in Atlanta and with his Session's permission, visited the PCA headquarters.  There he met with Roy Taylor and others to discuss joining the PCA.  He was put in touch with Ted Powers, Mission to North America Coordinator of Church Planting.  Ted, who is based in Chicago, got in touch with a member of our presbytery and together they visited Knox and met with its Session.  Great Lakes Presbytery was among the last to know of Knox's intentions.   

Detroit has been on our denomination's radar screen for years.  Great Lakes Presbytery rejoices that it now has two congregations in this metropolitan area.