August 2020

 Dear Friends,

As I write this letter to you, the Church is celebrating the feast day of St. Laurence, the young deacon who was martyred with six other deacons by Emperor Valerian in 258 A.D.. Laurence was in charge of distributing alms to the poor and indigent in Rome. When commanded to turn over the wealth of the church, he requested and received a 3-day reprieve to travel around Rome to gather the church’s riches. He used this time to give away as much of the church’s property as possible to those in need, then returned and presented a multitude of poor, crippled, blind, and suffering, saying that these were the “true treasures” of the Church and her “crown.”

How does a young man like Laurence find the courage to speak the truth and take a stand for righteousness, knowing it will lead to suffering and death? In a word: Discipleship. Laurence’s faith was born and grounded by his parents, who were also martyred. He grew and was taught by a great teacher of the day, who later became Pope Sixtus II. This great teacher saw in Laurence and his companions eager hearts and minds that needed guidance, which he gladly gave. Church planters in our day refer to this as a “leadership pipeline.”

Like the early church, our diocese places great value in raising up our young people and shaping their faith and life. This summer, eight young men and women served as ministry interns in several of our churches. They were given opportunities to exercise their gifts for ministry, and I heard many testimonies about how they were able to grow in their faith and learn about all that goes on “behind the scenes” to bring forth good ministry. We’re hopeful they won’t be tested as severely as Laurence and his companions were, but we recognize the same calling as their mentor did to take them under wing to nurture their faith and calling to serve.

Discipling others grows the church’s future leaders. Church planters were all somebody’s disciples. Mature believers cared for and encouraged them, allowing their faith to grow and take root. They want to plant churches to create for others what was given to them. I’m talking this week with two young men who are considering planting churches with DOMA. Neither of these men are Anglican but both have been discipled and are now being drawn to us by the Lord and by the diocese’s strong commitment to planting churches. This is your legacy. Word of your generosity and commitment to planting 50 new churches is getting around. Like a pro ball club that every athlete wants to join, we relish the idea that young leaders are hearing about our shared passion to reach the lost and hurting with the Good News of the Gospel. Because we see these hurting souls as our true riches and the “crown of the Church,” God continues to bring laborers to this harvest field. Pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to speak to the hearts of young men and women of faith and that we will have the wisdom to guide and nurture them in their growth to Christian maturity and service as church planters.

Your giving and prayer support are essential to this shared mission. Please accept our deepest thanks and continue to pray for and support these wonderful young leaders. To receive our semi-monthly intercessory prayer updates, please send a quick note to the Rev. Tim Howe, who is our prayer coordinator. Please consider joining the growing number of churches and individuals in our diocese by going to our diocesan website and clicking on “Donate.” Let me encourage you to begin giving regularly or to increase your offerings to the Vision for 50 Fund. You are making a difference, and many are finding or rediscovering Jesus through the efforts of the young leaders you help support. Thank you! 

Gratefully,

The Rev. Dr. Tom Herrick
Canon for Church Planting