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A FAMILY BUSINESS
A Heart for God’s People and a Testament to His Grace since the two churches became one. They find full expression in their tradition and the kind of “arms and feet of Christ” community outreach that they were known for demonstrating. OUTREACH “Outreach” has many forms. Beyond the building, the presence of the church is heard. An Olympia Heights member gave a touching testimony to the importance of the church bells and what they mean to her. In a deeply meaningful way, she hears the church bells as echoes of the church in the local community. Even as people using a drive-through window at a local fast food restaurant hear the church bells, the presence of the church resonates in the minds, hearts, and foundation of the neighborhood. The impressive facility is home to many ministry organizations. In the back of the church complex is a thriving preschool setup. Ministry meetings and Bible studies are held during the week along with prayer services. Multiple churches meet in the upstairs portion of the ministry wing. An Evangelical Free Church and a Hispanic church plant meet and gather on the second floor. A friend to other churches, Rev. Finlay says, “I know what it’s like to have a church without a building” so he opens the doors for other churches to plant the seeds of their ministries at Olympia Heights. Rev. Finlay credits Dr. Bruce Waltke and Dr. Warren Gage with opening his eyes to the beauty of biblical typology and the classics studied in the Master of Arts (Christian and Classical Studies). He describes them as being truly unique for ministry. One familiar with the teachings of Dr. Gage could certainly hear
By Ivey Rose Smith
shades of his teaching in what was a Sunday morning sermon on the second coming of Christ. Rev. Finlay talks about the teaching at Knox as being Christ centered and that all students are taught how the entirety of Scripture, Old and New Testaments, points to Christ. WHAT’S NEXT A true pastor, Rev. Finlay enjoys shepherding aspirants to the priesthood and mentoring them as they come up in the faith and life of the church, as they are the future of the church. When asked what is next for Christ the King at Olympia Heights and his heart for South Florida he says, “I want to be a churchplanting church that will, with God’s help, plant at least four more churches in Miami.” He firmly believes that regional growth and ministry impact in South Florida comes with collaboration and working across ministry lines and denominations, and that is evident when one visits Christ the King Anglican Church at Olympia Heights Methodist Church. † Top Left: Pastoral Staff Worshiping. Bottom Left: Administering the Lord’s Supper. Top Right: Rev. Jorge Finlay praying over a congregant. Bottom Right: Sanctuary interior.
Rev. Jorge Finlay is joined in ministering to God’s people with his brother and Knox MDiv graduate, the Rev. Juan Finlay. He was ordained to the diaconate this year in the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) and will be ordained as a presbyter in 2013. While gaining valuable pastoral and ministry experience at Christ the King, he is also pursuing a master’s degree in Christian counseling and plans to sit for the state boards to become a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC).
Brother Robert Finlay has been on the worship team since the church was founded. His wife Traci also sings on the worship team and the two of them together lead the youth/college group. MORE KNOX FAMILY
The Rev. Greg Llerena is a Doctor of Ministry student at Knox and an ordained minister in the Christian Reformed Church. He currently serves at Christ the King as the church evangelist in the local community. WINTER 2013 | KNOX NOW
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