JUNE/JULY 2007

One after another, with headsbowed, they prayed to Godin their own languages. Theyprayed in German, French, Portu-guese, Spanish, Dutch, Italian,Russian, Mandarin and manyother languages for God to renewthe great cities of the worldthrough the creation of newchurches. Such was the scene dur-ing the last day of the three-dayGlobal Church Planting Confer-ence held March 26-28 in WestCornwall, CT. The conferencebrought together approximatelyseventy-five church planters fromaround the world who are assistedand resourced by Redeemer’sChurch Planting Center.

While many at Redeemermight be aware of our church

planting activities across the fiveboroughs of New York City andother American cities, fewer mayknow of Redeemer’s internationalchurch planting efforts. Over thelast five years, Redeemer’s ChurchPlanting Center has helped startover 35 churches in major citiesoutside of the United States and ispositioned to support at least triplethat number in the next five years.As many who attend Redeemermight remember, 25% of themoney raised from the 2005Vision Campaign was set aside forstarting new churches both inNew York City and in citiesaround the world. The GlobalConference, held every two years,is a key event that providesRedeemer’s global church planters

and partners the opportunity tolearn, share, and fellowship.

This year’s conference was richin content and featured a variety oftalks and presentations from theconference attendees. Tim Kellergave three talks during the confer-ence on 1) how the way pastorsread the Bible affects how theylead their churches, 2) the marks ofa church with gospel depth, and 3)how to develop individuals withgospel-centered behaviors. RandyPope, the senior pastor of PerimeterChurch, was the other keynotespeaker and he led two discussionsabout building leaders within the church and building churchesthat are attractive to individualsunfamiliar with Christianity.

(Continued on page 6)

CHURCH PLANTERS FROM AROUND THE WORLDGATHER FOR REDEEMER CONFERENCE

BY JUSTIN BROWNE

Something had to have gone right the first time, because theyouth group is getting ready foranother summer trip down to NewOrleans to volunteer for Katrinarelief aid—and the kids and leaderscouldn’t be more excited. But justto be clear—this is odd.One couldchalk up last year’s excitement toyouthful exuberance, moral obli-gation, touristic curiosity, but notthis year. By all accounts, theHerculean workload and torpidreality of last year washed away anyexuberance, obligation, or curiosi-ty they might have had. It was, for

the most part, overwhelminglyvast, and vastly overwhelming.

So then why all the enthusiasm?Why so many smiling faces at therequired meetings? Why so manyreturning volunteers? Maybe it’sthe joy that comes from serving, ormaybe it’s just youthful enthusi-asm. But there is something to besaid this year for a group of NYteens, the big apple at theirimpetuous teeth, a whole summerto Huck away, getting feverishabout visiting a city with littlemore to offer than thousands ofdestroyed homes.

Just this past March 14 markedthe one year anniversary sinceRedeemer Church in NewOrleans (an affiliated church ofRedeemer NY), began hostinggroups to come down and work inthe miles and miles of destroyedneighborhoods. In that year thechurch has actually grown fromthirty five to one hundred and five(double the pre-Katrina size).Over one thousand volunteersfrom all over the country helpedrenovate 180 homes and evenhelped rebuild one church.

(Continued on page 6)

YOUTH GROUP PLANS TO RETURN TONEW ORLEANS IN 2007

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BEYOND ABUSE: DEALING WITH THEWEIGHT OF CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSEThis seminar is geared towards women and men affected directly or indirectly by childhood and adolescent sexual abuse (survivors, loved ones, friends of survivors, leaders ministering to survivors.)

Saturday, July 7, 2007 from 9:00AM to 4:00PM at the Redeemer OfficesSpeaker: Sallie Culbreth, Founder & Executive Director of Committed to Freedom Ministries, Inc.

$25 per person, breakfast & lunch is included (Scholarships available)

Registration Information at www.redeemer.com Please register by July 5 (Your identity will be kept confidential.)

REDEEMER REPORT

Kathy Keller

Heather Klein

HUNTER COLLEGE AUDITORIUMEast 69TH (Between Park & Lexington)

services at 10:30AM • 6:00PM

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCHCorner of West 79TH and Broadway

service at 5:00PM & 7:15PM

ETHICAL CULTUREWest 64TH and CPWservice at 9:15AM

The Redeemer Report is a publication of the Redeemer Presbyterian Church. OFFICE • 1359 BROADWAY (BETWEEN W. 36/37TH STREETS) • FOURTH FLOOR • NY, NY 10018-7102

(212) 808-4460 (PHONE) (212) 808-4465 (FAX) www.redeemer.com

The Redeemer Staff is pleasedto welcome Brent Boundsto the long awaited position ofDirector of Family Ministries.Although Brent has been a partof Redeemer for a number ofyears and more recently on thecounseling staff, many of youmay not know him. So here’s ashort interview and a picture.We hope you’ll introduce your-self to Brent and Jenni if youdon’t already know them.

Tell us a bit about yourself:I grew up in Dallas, Texas,

where my parents had careers ineducation. I did my undergradu-ate studies at Wheaton College,where I majored in psychology,and I have a Master’s degree fromDallas Theological Seminary inbiblical counseling. I moved toNew York City in 1999 to get my Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Fordham University. I’ve been

married to my wife, Jenni, forfour years (we met in a Redeemerfellowship group), and we have a5-month-old son, Griffin.

How have you been involved withRedeemer?

I’ve been a part of Redeemersince I moved here 8 years ago.Since April, 2002, I have been a

counselor at Redeemer Coun-seling Services where I’ve hadthe privilege of working withchildren, adults, and familiesdealing with various issues andhave seen the Gospel transformlives.

What do you see as your newrole at Redeemer?

New York City is a uniqueand challenging place to raise afamily and build community,and yet I feel that the potentialfor impact and transformationof this city rests largely in thehands of the families who live,

work, play, attend school and worship in it. As Director ofFamily Ministries, my role will be to facilitate the provision ofresources that strengthen, en-courage and equip families to live Gospel-centered lives. I amreally excited to be serving theRedeemer community in this way.

BRENT BOUNDS CHOSEN DIRECTOR OFFAMILY MINISTRIES

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As we enter spring 2007 andlook back over the last year,it’s amazing to realize how quicklythings have progressed with oneof the most significant endeavorsRedeemer has undertaken: thepurchase of real estate at 150 West83rd Street.At this time last year,who would have predicted thatwe would even identify a possibil-ity in less than 12 months? Whilewe can intellectually anticipate it,we are also amazed once again byGod’s provision, and we proceedprayerfully with a desire to begood and faithful stewards of Hisresources.

The upper west side propertyis the first of at least three buildings Redeemer would liketo acquire over the next ten years,and while this is a very impor-tant, expensive and time-con-suming project, it is importantthat we not start treating it as thesum total of Redeemer’s existence.In other words, real estate is simply one means by which wewill reach the city, build commu-nity and serve our neighbors.There are, of course, many otherimportant and significant wayswe are living out the visionthrough Redeemer’s ministries,and many of you are, have been,and will continue to be critical totheir success.

Given the fact that the West

83rd Street building is currently aparking garage,we have a wonder-ful opportunity to design the newworship and community centerspace essentially from scratch.There are hundreds of decisions tobe made relative to the design ofthe space, which will ultimatelydrive the construction specifica-tions. The process by which thedesign decisions will be made willinvolve input from many peopleespecially Redeemer staff, whomeet weekly to discuss ministryand program needs and desires,specifically as it pertains to howthey hope to use the new space.

Information is also beinggathered on the characteristicsand needs of the community surrounding West 83rd Street.The information will be gatheredfrom existing published sourcesbut also through conversationsand meetings with communityrepresentatives and the Com-munity Board of District 7. Wetruly want to serve our neigh-bors, thus we need to know andunderstand who they are,and gather that information basedon relevant, current data providedby those who are “in the business” of community service.Additionally, input was solicitedfrom the congregation throughthe survey distributed and collected during all the Sunday

Services on April 22nd.We are blessed with a wealth

and variety of talent among theRedeemer congregation, andmany volunteers are alreadyinvolved and working on thisproject. Project teams alreadymeeting include:

Finance,ArchitectureCommunications, Legal

& CommunityThere will be many more

teams formed in the comingweeks, and if you are interested involunteering in some capacity,please contact Susan Lee atsusan@redeemer.com.

As we move forward, we must keep in mind that one ofthe most important reasons foracquiring secure space in the city is gospel hospitality. Ofcourse the new building will haveworship space (most likely seatingfor 900, plus overflow space);however another primary goal isto provide a “third place” for peo-ple in the community – a placethat is welcoming not only toother believers but also to thosewho don’t believe as we do.Besides providing space for exist-ing ministries and for buildingcommunity within theRedeemer congregation, we willalso seek to develop programsthat serve the neighborhood, andthe economically disadvantaged.

In Contract

(Dec 2006)

Building Purchase

(Late 2007)

UWS Real Estate ReportApril 2007

Anticipated Opening

(Spring 2010)

Search

Jul 06 Jan 07 Jul 07 Jan 08 Jul 08 Jan 09 Jul 09 Jan 10Jul 06 Jan 07 Jul 07 Jan 08 Jul 08 Jan 09 Jul 09 Jan 10

Design/Permits

Construction

REAL ESTATE PROJECT TIMINGAs of today, we anticipate moving into the West 83rd Street building in the spring of 2010—three years

from now. Below is a graphic illustrating the timing of the project.As the project progresses,

more information will be sharedthrough the newsletter, congrega-tional meetings and Redeemer’swebsite. If you have questions,suggestions or comments, emailsusan@redeemer.com. We willmake every effort to respond in atimely manner.

Our vision is central to every-thing we do. It is to build a greatcity for all people through a gospelmovement that brings personalconversion, community formation,social justice and cultural renewalto New York City and through it,to the world.

RED

EEMER

SPR

ING

2007R

EAL

ESTA

TER

EPORT

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BY NORMA AILES

Maybe you didn’t know thatRedeemer’s CongregationalMeeting and Membership Dinnerwas more than just a meeting. Ifyou didn’t attend the May 5thevent, you might not know that itis also a festive and joyful celebra-tion of community, friendship,and fellowship. Attended by overfour hundred and fifty membersboth old and new, it was the perfect opportunity to see friendswho attend different services andthe perfect setting for discoveringfriends who live in the sameneighborhood.

Following a lively receptionwith glorious hors d’oeuvres andlive jazz, guests moved into aromantically-lit celebration ofspring. Seated in sections namedafter popular landmarks such asCenter, guests discovered otherswho lived in the same or nearbyzip code.A nametag sticker clue ledguests to their landmarks, a methodproving both hilarious and chal-lenging, especially for late-comers.

Elder Charlie Osewalt, (recently chosen Principal of the Year by

an arts consortium), opened this second official “CongregationalMeeting and MembershipDinner” in prayer (the first dinnerwas in October, 2005). After wel-coming Jenny Chang as the newDiaconate Director, Tim Kellerconducted the evening’s officialbusiness. Attendees voted intrustees, elders, and deacons, andheard updates from Brian Stantonon financial giving, spending andRedeemer’s pending purchase ofits first very-own worship site andcommunity building. KatherineLeary gave an update on growthin membership, volunteers, and layleadership and the successfullaunch of Sunday’s fifth service,5:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church.

Aside from Redeemer’s deepand intentional commitment toliving out the gospel of Christ, thisis a congregation with a rich senseof humor. Emcee Todd Wilkersonhad guests howling at The TenThings Tim Keller Does to Prepare fora Sermon and John Lin’s well-known love for the Boston RedSox. Katherine Leary’s Children of

Promise video offered touching,revealing and humorous perspec-tives from parents and kids agesseven to twenty-seven who aregrowing up in the Redeemercommunity. The program endedwith a hilarious look back atscenes from Redeemer’s long-agoComedy Nights, prompting agroundswell of requests for aComedy Night 2007.Then tableswere cleared for dancing, andRedeemerites once again demon-strated that they are NOT to benumbered among the “frozenchosen.”

On the way out, attendeesreceived copies of Redeemer’s2006 Annual Report. Manyfriends lingered on ‘til the lastnotes of music faded away, reluc-tant to put a period to a bountifulevening of laughs, memories, andgratefulness for the communitythat is Redeemer.NOTE: If you’re a member and youdidn’t receive snail mail & email invi-tations or reminders about the dinner,please contact Joely@redeemer.com orcall her at (212) 808-4460 x123.

NOT JUST ANOTHER CHURCH MEETING!

TAKE THE PLUNGE AT REDEEMER’S FIRSTVACATION BIBLE SCHOOL!Redeemer is excited to hold its first VBS. If you are looking for a great summer activity for your children, hang on to your life preserver! Redeemer’s VBS team is preparing for a water parkadventure (literally!) you won’t want to miss.They are getting ready to Take the Plunge! As kids move from one whirlwind activity to the next, they will be soaking up lessons that will last for a lifetime as they Make a splash with Jesus! And to top off the experience a trip for the wholefamily is planned for July 14 to a real water park – Wild Water Kingdom at Dorney Park.

Kids will Take the Plunge each day as they dive into the Word and learn how Jesus used the common element of water to teach some uncommon lessons It will be a week of fun and excitement sure to make a splash with your kids.The fun will begin each day at 9:30AM and end at 12:30PM from July 9 to 13 at All Angels Episcopal Church.

This program is open to rising Kindergarteners through 5th Graders.Registration is open! To dive into the excitement, register online at www.redeemer.com/vbs.

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Ihave always loved the beach. As a child, the water, sand andsoothing breezes always seem to fillme with a sense of peace and com-fort.Although the beach has alwaysbeen a special place, it becamemore so after I became a Christian.I must admit I feel closer to theLord while at the beach than any-where else. Depending uponthe day, the beach may speakpower, danger, beauty, wonder,vastness, mystery, passion andlove. This has always remindedme of the Lord’s love for me.Aware the Lord’s thoughts forme outnumber the grains ofsand on the seashore, I am oftenbrought to tears. Acutely awarethe same love is flowing inabundance for all, I am movedto sing for joy.

My love for the beach isundoubtedly rooted with myfather and my grandparents.Myfather was born and raised inManhattan. When school fin-ished in June, my grandparentsrented a beach house (I suspect it was far less grandthan the mental picture!) andmoved the entire family to thebeach in the Rockaways. I supposeit is hard to imagine moving fromone part of NYC to another forthe summer, but the beach wascalling and my grandfatherendured the long “A” train ride towork just so the family couldenjoy the summer at the beach.

My father and his sisters spentthe summer shoeless.Who neededshoes when you were a short walkto the ocean? Endless hours werespent swimming, building sand-castles and experiencing the peace

of the beach.Much of my family still reside

in NYC, but like so many families,many left long ago for more space,better schools and lower costs. Indoing so,my cousins relocated to –you guessed it – the beach.After arecent family gathering in SpringLake, NJ, before the drive home,

I simply could not leave without avisit to the ocean. My wife, whoalso loves the beach (it was arequirement for marrying me!),was more than eager to enjoy abeautiful spring afternoon at thebeach.

That afternoon the generation-al love for the beach continued. Iintroduced my newborn son,Declan (6 months), to the wondersof the beach for the very first time.We sat nestled in a dune and Iwhispered in his ears of the won-

ders of the love of the One whocreated such a place.We sat quietlyin that otherworldly light of duskat the ocean and I watched mywife and two girls venture towardthe power of the surf. It was such ajoy to sit quietly and watch themas they intently scoured the sandfor treasure. Oblivious to sand on

hands, face, clothing and feet,they were fully absorbed in thehunt for treasure - content todeal with the sandy grit in theprocess.

Already lovers of the beachour girls were lost in themoment. When it was time tohead home they scooped uptheir treasures and walkedtoward me. I was immediatelyhumbled when a treasure ofbroken bits of shells and stoneswas produced. I had expectedmy perspective of beauty –large perfect shells. My girls sawbeauty in EVERY shell theysaw. Broken, cracked, blemished– it mattered not.They were allbeautiful. I have always lovedthe following quote by CharlesDickens,“It is not a slight thingwhen they who are so fresh

from God love us.” My children,fresh from God, love me uncondi-tionally – a love they learned fromthe Father.

Enjoying that peaceful momentwith my son, I knew I was theLord’s treasure on the shore. Hehad picked me off the shore,brushed off the sand and ran meunder the water to reveal the treasure within. Like my girls, Hesaw only the treasure – the sandygrit washed away by Jesus and His sacrifice.

REFLECTIONS BY THE SEABY MIKE O’NEILL

Gemma, Michael & Caitlin O’NeillOrchard Beach,The Bronx

INTERESTED IN HOSTING A BETA GROUP?This fall Redeemer will launch 50 brand new, short term Beta Groups and we need hosts. Do you have an apartment or meeting space that can accommodate a group of 6-12 people? Would you beinterested in hosting a 7-week Beta Group starting 9/30? For more information about hosting a Beta Group, please email BetaGroups@redeemer.com.

1359 BROADWAY4TH FLOORNEW YORK, NY 10018

NON PROFITORGANIZATION

US POSTAGE PAID

NEW YORK NYPERMIT # 349

In addition to the these sessions,several of the church planters gavepresentations on their experiencesand lessons learned from plantingchurches in cities including SaoPaulo, Amsterdam, Buenos Aires,Berlin, and San Francisco. Theydiscussed how their churches havetaken the teaching and trainingthey learned from Redeemer and contextualized the basic“Redeemer DNA” for their cities.It was amazing to hear about themicrofinance projects started in

Buenos Aires, the all-night prayersessions in Sao Paulo, the faith andwork events held in Berlin, and theimpressive number of new church-es planted in cities across theNetherlands. Perhaps one of themost encouraging presentationscame from a Redeemer partnerwho is planting churches in theMuslim world. His presentationgave much hope for how God isworking in that area of the world.

Overall, the conference was agreat success and a wonderful

opportunity to praise God for thework he has done throughRedeemer’s Church PlantingCenter and its planters. Eventhough prayers were spoken inmany different languages, the onething that was clearly communi-cated was how deeply thesechurch planters yearn for theircities to be renewed with the hopeand power of the Gospel. It isRedeemer’s desire to supportthem, and many more like them, intheir efforts.

CHURCH PLANTING CONFERENCE (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)

YOUTH GROUP PLANS RETURN (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)Last year our youth raised

$4000 with a walk-a-thon as aone-time gift to the New Orleanschurch.The team that went downgutted five houses in five days.Thisyear they hope to repeat the per-formance, and maybe go and take apeek at last year’s homes, hopefullybudding by now with the firstfruits of reconstruction.That is theRedeemer vision they’re living out,after all: working to renew a citysocially, spiritually and culturallythrough the Gospel. Maybe theywere listening to all those lessonsfrom the youth leaders we thoughtthey slept through. Maybe altruism

is the new rebellion.Now, don’t get it wrong, the

house we’re staying at this year hasa pool.They’ll be blasting the radioin the van and slamming sledge-hammers with impunity througheverything (that needs to bedemolished) that they can lay theirhands on. The students get tospend some much-needed qualitytime with the leaders—somethingin short supply in the New Yorkrush. But also, maybe they’regrowing up into the kind of youngmen and women—ambassadors of a the good news—that are adirect result of families who have

committed to the vision God hasgive Redeemer to love, embraceand stay in the city.

And maybe now is a nice timeto take a look at Redeemer’syouth—as they embark on theirsecond trip to New Orleans—not to aggrandize, but to see in our church the great wealth ofblessings that just may be, and mayyet be to come.

If you would like to financiallysupport this team, donations can bemade online at: www.redeem-er.com/youth/missions2007

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