RAISING UP MINORITY S P I R I T UA L LEADERS
HERE’S A STORY ABOUT THE NUMBER This is the number of African American Teaching Elders (Pastors) we had in the PCA in 2015. At that time we had 4,630 Teaching Elders total. We barely broke 1%. (In addition, only 10% of this number represents Korean/Korean American and .8% Latino TEs). These facts are what galvanized the PCA to take the action of creating the PCA Unity Fund in 2016. Motivated for our denomination to resemble the Church in her glorified state, as described in Revelation 7:9, “... a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages standing before the throne ...”. We only have 51 African American Teaching Elders in the PCA right now. This number means that the status quo is not working. It’s a call for a paradigm shift—a redemptive paradigm shift.
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THE NEED
Raise Up Minority Spiritual Leaders
We need an intentional effort to accelerate the growth of minority leadership if we are going to be faithful to the scriptures, true to the reformed faith, and obedient to the Great Commission.
Target.
We want the church on earth to reflect the glorious diversity of the church in
heaven. Revelation 7:9: "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands."
Ethos. We need new and deeper ways to love our neighbors. Matthew 22:38-39:
"This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Commission. The PCA has historically struggled to grow minority leadership and must now prepare to reach minority populations who are trending to become the majority in America by 2045.
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2019* PCA MINORIT Y REPRESENTATION
1% African-American 0.8% Latino 10% Korean 88% Caucasian/Other
The PCA Unity Fund accelerates the theological training of minorities within the Presbyterian Church in America as well as their participation in and contribution to the life of the church. 4 • P C A M N A . O R G / U N I T Y- F U N D
THE METHOD The PCA Unity Fund is raising $200,000 in annual support in addition to a $5M endowment to accelerate the training of minorities as ministerial candidates within the Presbyterian Church in America and their participation in the courts of the church. The funds will be used in three strategic ways. Through the PCA Unity Fund, we aspire to become a denomination able to welcome people of various ethnicities without compromising biblical principles or lowering our standards of ordination.
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Subsidize.
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Incentivize.
Seminary Education: In order to maintain our high ordination standards while removing potential obstacles, we will subsidize seminary education for minority students at approved reformed seminaries.
Participation: We will provide scholarships for minority ruling and teaching elders to attend General Assembly in order to increase their involvement in and contribution to the courts of the church. Placement: We will provide funds to churches, church plants, RUF, and MTW to assist with hiring minority ministry staff.
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Facilitate.
Research: Grants will be distributed to explore the role of minorities in reformed denominations throughout the history of the United States. Networking: Connect recipients with mentors, opportunities, and with each other for ongoing support, encouragement, and training.
Through the PCA Unity Fund, the PCA has the opportunity to effect a redemptive paradigm shift, welcoming people of various ethnicities without compromising Biblical Principles, becoming a church of greater diversity and spiritual vitality. 5
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THE MOMENTUM Because of the PCA’s Unity Fund, 67 individuals received seminary tuition subsidies in 2019 and are currently getting financial and mentoring help to become minority ministry leaders. Even better, scholarships have turned out to be almost equally distributed among African American, Asian American, and Hispanic American recipients.
The Unity Fund is already making a redemptive paradigm shift.
THE MEANS Your gift will accelerate the growth of minority leaders in the PCA. Your investment in this important work will enable the PCA to be a more faithful witness of the gospel both now and for decades to come. 6 • P C A M N A . O R G / U N I T Y- F U N D
Meet Alex Shipman PCA UNIT Y FUND CHAIRMAN
Rev. Alex Shipman is the senior and founding pastor of The Village
Church (PCA), a cross-cultural, multiethnic, congregation located in Huntsville, AL. After coming to Christ at Valdosta State University in Georgia, he sensed a call to ministry. In 2001, he moved to Greenville, SC to be part of a church plant called Redeemer Presbyterian Church. Pastor Alex served as a ministry intern and later as the church's Outreach Coordinator. He attended and graduated from Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC with the financial support and mentorship of Redeemer. 2006 brought Alex a move to Decatur AL, where he was the Mercy Ministries Intern for Decatur Presbyterian Church. Southwood Presbyterian Church called him to plant The Village Church in 2008. On November 13, 2011, The Village Church was particularized and Alex was installed as pastor. Alex’s ministry extends denominationally. He works closely with the African American Ministries of Mission to North American (MNA). He also serves as the chairman of the PCA Unity Fund. His desire is to see the same financial support and mentorship he received from Redeemer spread throughout the PCA in order to raise up other ministry spiritual leaders for a lifetime. He's married to Wyketa and they have two children, Madison and Treyson.
$200K
ANNUAL BUDGET
$5M
ENDOWMENT Ways to Give
Mission to North America PO Box 890233 Charlotte, NC 28289-0233
pcamna.org/unity-fund
QUESTIONS?
Rev. Scott Bridges PCA Unity Fund Development Coordinator sbridges@pcanet.org 301.974.7935
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W H AT Y O U H AV E H E A R D F R O M M E I N T H E PRESENCE OF MANY WITNESSES ENTRUST T O FA I T H F U L M E N , W H O W I L L B E A B L E T O T E A C H O T H E R S A L S O.
2 T I M OT H Y 2 : 2
APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS ONLINE Visit pcamna.org/unity-fund. Application deadline is June 30. Scholarship awards are announced by July 15.