First Presbyterian Church is thankful to the transformative and revitalizing power of God working through all of the members and leaders over the past four years since the arrival of two pastors, Dr. Chris Looker and the Rev. Sung Eun Choi. First of all, in 2006, relying on the Holy Spirit and the inclusive teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the First Presbyterian Church and the First Korean Presbyterian Church of Virginia agreed to become full partners in Christian ministry. This “First Presbyterian Church Partnership” (hereafter referred to as “the Partnership”) has resulted in the two culturally and racially different Presbyterian congregations working closely and formally together as “one in Christ.” Members and leaders from both congregations attend Christian Education, Buildings and Grounds, and Mission Commission Meetings monthly. The Sessions of both congregations meet together during the year to prayerfully discern what God is leading both congregations to do together for the “good of the Church”. And, the number of joint worship services using both the English and Korean languages has increased dramatically, leading to greater fellowship, friendships, and unity for members of both congregations.
As a direct result of the Partnership, a new Church Improvement Program has received the prayerful, financial, and spiritual support of both congregations working as “one in Christ”. Together, we are renovating the main sanctuary, replacing the church roof, replacing the church heating system, and installing a new multimedia and sound system.
In addition, God’s Holy Spirit has led the Partnership to recognize the change in demographics that has occurred in the past 50 years in the immediate neighborhood surrounding the church. Having recognized that Annandale is a truly multi-cultural area, First Presbyterian Church has adopted a new Identity Statement: “First Presbyterian Church: An Internationally Welcoming Church and Mission Center”. And, we have changed our Mission Statement to: “Our mission is to joyfully and humbly worship, love, and obey God; nurture the spiritual gifts of God’s people; and, serve others in the name of Jesus Christ.” In response to our congregation’s acceptance of a new identity based on Christian mission service and actively welcoming persons from all cultural backgrounds, the Partnership has attracted and joined together with Christians from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Indonesia, Korea, Egypt, Mexico, Pakistan, Kuwait, Ghana, Japan, Nigeria, and China. And, on October 18, 2009, the Partnership launched the new FPC Urdu/Hindi Christian Fellowship. This weekly worship and praise service will be conducted by the Rev. Tarik Javed, our Volunteer Evangelist and Pastor to Pakistani and Indian Christians.
We are particularly grateful to God for leading the Partnership to greatly increase our prayerful, personal, financial, and active support of Christian Mission Service and Trips locally, regionally, and internationally. Locally, we are jointly providing space, volunteers, and financial support for the new ESL and English Conversation Ministry, Shepherd’s Center, Annandale Christian Community for Action, Good Spoons Food Ministry, Fairfax County Parenting Partnership, Bailey’s Crossroads Shelter, the Annandale Neighborhood Center and Annandale High School. Regionally, we have sponsored four mission trips to Cumberland, Maryland (NAILS) and the Paddy Run Church Camp (Shenandoah Presbytery). Internationally, Dr. Looker and Elder John Metzel have travelled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (in October of 2008) to plan and build a 20 megawatt hydroelectric power plant to provide electricity and clean drinking water for the people in the 100 year old Presbyterian Mission Station at Lubondai, DRC. Also, the Partnership is actively involved in new church development in Ecuador, with a Mission Team travelling there in July of 2009 and the financial sponsoring of the Rev. Sung Tae Kim, who is a Presbyterian pastor who served as the Interim Pastor for FKPCV previously.
As one can see, God is doing many great and wonderful things at First Presbyterian Church. It is our great honor and pleasure to share this testimony with all of the members of the National Capital Presbytery so that you may share in our joy through Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Respectfully Submitted,
The Sessions of
The First Presbyterian Church of Annandale
The First Korean Presbyterian Church in Virginia |
