The Pacific Coast Presbytery (PCP) met on March 10-11th, 2022 in Fresno, California at the Fresno Reformed Presbyterian Church. The retiring Moderator (myself), constituted the court at 12:30PM in the name and by the authority of Jesus Christ, King and head of the Church. Immediately after constituting the court, the court moved to elect new officers. Rev. Tim McCracken was nominated and elected as Moderator, Rev. Ryan Hemphill was reelected as Clerk, and Elder Charles Shipman was elected as Assistant Clerk.

Changes to the Presbytery Role

Rev. Colin Samul then proceeded to introduce the PCP’s new delegate, Elder Greg Kothman from the Great Basin Reformed Presbyterian Church. Elder Kothman is the first Ruling Elder to be ordained at the RPCNA’s 100th congregation. Give thanks that God is answering our prayers for more churches, and for more Ruling Elders!

Immediately after the introduction of new delegates, the court then recognized the loss of two of their dear brothers: Rev. Noah Shepherd and Elder Bennett Broadway. Rev. Noah Shepherd died suddenly and tragically this past July. This was an event that deeply affected the life of the PCP, especially as Rev. Shepherd was newly ordained and installed in San Diego the prior November. He was a gifted Pastor and Teacher, who truly loved people. Rev. Shepherd leaves behind his wife, Gabby Shepherd, their two boys Sam and Joel, and the San Diego congregation. Elder Bennett Broadway was received into glory on February 15th, 2022 after an 8 year battle with cancer due to his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. He is survived by his wife Judy, daughters Beth, Rebecca, Sarah, and Anna along with his two younger sisters Michelle and Suzanne. Bennett was also an Elder in the San Diego congregation, and had a true love for people and for the work of evangelism. The Presbytery rests in the confidence that our brothers are with their Savior, but we also grieve with those who are left behind, especially our San Diego congregation.

Student Examinations

Student under care Jonathan Kruis brought the Word of God to the Presbytery from John 6:25-45 for his preaching exam. The theme of his sermon was how we are to seek Christ for spiritual nourishment, rather than for mere carnal purposes. His sermon was well-received, having passed the exam unanimously. Mr Kruis was then examined on his Church History paper, followed by an oral examination of his knowledge in Systematic Theology. Both exams were unanimously sustained.

Mr. Kruis then answered his licensure queries and was licensed to preach by the PCP. The Fresno congregation has extended a call to Mr. Kruis in anticipation of him being licensed to receive a call this summer. Please pray for this brother, and for the Fresno congregation!

The Candidates and Credentials Committee (the CCC) then continued their report by examining Mr. James Zhou. Mr Zhou is currently serving as Pulpit Supply at our Mandarin congregation in West Vancouver, BC. When Mr. Zhou first came into our Presbytery he had difficulty communicating in the English language. Between his studies, He has also worked to improve his fluency in the English language. Mr. Zhou was examined and sustained in the areas of Exegesis, Church History, and Systematic Theology. He then answered his licensure queries, and received a license to receive a call. Please pray for Mr. Zhou and the congregation in West Vancouver.

Before closing out their report, the CCC brought a recommendation pertaining to Rev. David Zhang, a member of our congregation in Irvine, CA. Rev. Zhang was introduced by Rev. Hsing Tang the previous afternoon. He has previously served as a minister outside of a NAPARC context, but has come to RP convictions. His desire is to serve and minister in the RPCNA, and to plant a Church in Valencia, CA. The CCC was granted authority by the Presbytery to determine the areas where Rev. Zhang needs to be examined in order to be credentialed by the PCP. Again, please pray for Rev. Zhang as he pursues ministry in our midst.

Congregational Reports

The rest of Thursday was spent on congregational reports. While this was an especially difficult season for the PCP, the Presbytery was encouraged to hear about spiritual and numerical growth in our congregations, along with testimonies of how the Lord is sustaining and blessing several works.

The report from our congregation in Brea, CA included the Presbytery receiving the resignation of Rev. John Sawtelle. Rev. Sawtelle has moved to the Sacramento area to serve as a hospital chaplain, and to begin the work of Church planting. Please pray for Rev. Sawtelle and the Brea congregation as they begin to look for a new pastor.

Other churches in our Presbytery that are currently searching for Pastors are Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, and Fresno (though they have a call pending). The Presbytery lifted up these congregations in prayer, asking for the Lord to provide them with Pastors, particularly praying for the congregation in San Diego in their time of loss. We trust that the Great Shepherd of the Sheep will provide undershepherds for His people.

The Moderator reconvened the court just after 8am on Friday morning and preached from John 17:1-8, on the glory of Christ. Rev. Derek Baars was granted personal privilege of the floor to update the Presbytery further on the situation in Edmonton. Rev. Baars relayed that a covenant child professed faith in Christ and was able to come to the Lord’s Table, a detail he forgot to mention on the previous day. This was a source of great joy for the church amidst the heartbreak of the previous year. He also gave an update on the minister who was deposed by the PCP in the summer of 2021—another situation that greatly affected the life of the PCP. Rev. Baars reported that the hand of the Lord has been heavy upon the former minister in question, having lost the congregation that he formed after leaving the RPCNA, along with facing some other losses as well. Rev. Baars asked the court to pray for the repentance of the former minister, and to pray for the healing of all those affected. Please continue to pray for the brothers and sisters in Edmonton, AB.

Committees and Commissions

The rest of Friday was spent hearing from the Presbytery’s various committees and commissions. Of particular note, was the Child Protection Policy Committee, which was appointed at last year’s Presbytery per the request of Rev. Chris Myers and our Phoenix congregation. The purpose of the committee was to draft up policies to protect children at church events from physical and sexual abuse. This is becoming an area of increasing concern in our churches, as predators often see the church as an easy target. The committee received professional legal advice, and in consultation with legal counsel, policies were drafted according to the laws of each State and Province where we currently have churches.

The Presbytery adopted the policies and passed several other recommendations pertaining to keeping our churches accountable to protect our children. Providentially, after the dissolving of the committee, the Presbytery received the news about the trial pertaining to the sexual abuse case in West Lafayette, IN, and we prayed for Mr. Jared Olivetti and all those affected.

The final part of Friday was spent on a complaint from a member of one of our congregations against his session. The congregant expressed concern about the wisdom of inviting a former RP minister to preach, who is no longer in a NAPARC congregation. After hearing the complainant and defense, the Presbytery appointed a 4 man judicial committee of the day to further hear from both sides and bring recommendations.

While the committee was sympathetic to the concerns of the complainant, they determined that the actions of the session were not in violation of the law and order of the Church. The committee recommended that the complaint be dismissed, while commending the complainant for taking his vows seriously and engaging in the Presbyterian process. The court passed the committee’s recommendations.

Closing Reflexions from the Outgoing Moderator

After hearing from the other committees of the day, the 111th meeting of the PCP was adjourned early at 8:37PM, to the singing of Psalm 72C. As many are aware, this was a very difficult year for the Pacific Coast Presbytery. We lost ministers in tragic circumstances, and felt the pain of strong internal disagreement at times, along with a sense of despair over having several empty pulpits. However, as another Delegate and I observed Friday evening on our way to a time of fellowship with the Presbyters, the PCP feels like the PCP again.

We know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes, and while the fog of the past year has not fully lifted yet, we saw the Lord working through our churches, working through our Presbytery, and working in our hearts as we came together to serve as brothers once again.

Pray that the Lord continues to sustain us, and guide and lead us, as we continue to bring the Gospel to West Coast of the United States and Canada. As our closing Psalm says, “​​He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth. Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before Him, And His enemies will lick the dust.” (Psalm 72:8,9)

In Christ,

Rev. Colin Samul, Outgoing Moderator of the PCP