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Steve McCarthy Recounts His Trip to Phoenix, AZ With RP Missions

My wife Emily and I are back from our trip to Phoenix. I have settled back in to classes at RPTS, and Emily has begun a new full-time job at St. Clair Hospital in Pittsburgh. Looking back on our short term mission trip to Phoenix, Arizona I thank God for what I believe was a fruitful time of ministry.

After meeting our other team members for devotions our first morning in Phoenix, we got to work immediately. The men began work helping a congregant and his family to build a bungalow. This will enable them to bring his father to come and live with them. Meanwhile, the ladies accomplished a thorough cleaning of the church building. That night we joined the congregation in their weekly prayer meeting.

The next day, we drove out across the desert, accompanied by three youths from the Phoenix church, to the Pacific Coast Presbytery Youth Conference in Los Angeles. The conference was a great success. Pastor David Whitla spoke on the topic of “Back to the Basics.” His messages were excellent, and seemed to significantly impact the youth. There were approximately 30 youth in attendance from across the Presbytery.

Our mission team interacted with the youth and had meaningful conversations with many of them about their spiritual lives. We saw many encouraged in their walks with God. Our team leader was able to talk at length with and exhort one youth who had not yet trusted in Christ. Please pray for continued fruit from the conference, for the follow up that is going on, and that the conference might become a recurring event.

Once back in Phoenix, the whole team spent two days working hard on the bungalow, bringing it near completion. The last two days of our trip were spent on outreach. Pastor Jon Magin trained us in an evangelistic method called “Sharing Jesus Without Fear”: an approach that allows you to present the gospel in a non-argumentative manner. We engaged people in conversations about Christ and the church, and handed out tracts in downtown Phoenix, at South Mountain Park, and at the First Friday Art Walk.

It was a pleasure to get to know saints from across the Pacific Presbytery, and to serve them while we were there. God is doing great things in their midst. Praise God for making our trip profitable.

CLICK HERE to listen to Pastor David Whitla's messages.

CLICK HERE to find out more about RPMissions.