Horne Family News

September, 2016

MARK, LISA, TANNER JONATHAN AND KATHERINE AT
GREENWOOD, PCA’S MISSION'S CONFERENCE

For in You (Jehovah) I Trust

by Mark Horne

Enter not into judgment with your servant,
for no one living is righteous before you…. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul…. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! (ESV - Psalm 143:2,8,10)

Holding Emotions in Check

Mark pictured with Rev. Richard Smith of
High Point Church in Spartanburg, SC

I don’t know about you, but I often become jealous. Well, maybe it isn’t so much jealousy of others as it is pride in my heart. Yes, pastors become prideful, sometimes more prideful than anyone else on earth. And I am learning that church planting pastors with hearts for missions and saving the lost can often be the most prideful group of people, especially with each other. I don’t dwell on these things by no means, but I do find fleeting thoughts rushing through my mind such as, “why is ___ moving to the field so quick?” or, “How did ___ raise support in record breaking time?” Sin, my friends; sin runs rampant in this most fleshly body I have; sin, of which I have to constantly confess and repent, rears its ugly head and I have to hold my emotions in check. I have to step back, reflect on God’s word and pray.

No One is Righteous

Often when sin grabs hold of my heart, or head, I read something in Scripture that “smacks” me back into the reality of God’s purpose of redemption through Jesus Christ. This month it was Psalm 143 with the reminder that I am no one special. Who am I to think I deserve better than anyone else? Who am I to think that things should happen quicker or faster than anyone else? All I do is lift myself above others. Yet, God’s word tells me that the standard isn’t the “others.” His Word is what I am measured against and no one living is righteous…no one, including me.

For in You I Trust

However, the redemptive character of God is shown in this Psalm as well. Grace, mercy, and love abounds. Why trust in myself, my wants and desires, my will, when my ultimate trust is in the One who has everything planned for me in perfect time? It is to Him who made me His through His Son in which I need to constantly trust.

Teach Me

Finally, this Psalm of prayer shows the heart one should have as he or she seeks God’s will. The desire to have God make me, teach me, lead me is that in which I am growing. Yes, this is what I am working on in my heart. Not to seek my will; not even to compare my desires to others’ blessings. It is to be where God wants me, when He wants me there, and to trust Him with all that comes from Him, even with the Carolina Forest Church plant.

"The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we become." — Henry Martyn, missionary to India and Persia

Go, then Know

by Mark Horne

Katherine gives Dr. Burnett of GPC
a jar of change she has saved
for over a year for missions.

Faith, PCA – Myrtle Beach, SC

This month we were privileged to participate in two churches’ missions’ conferences. The first was at Faith, PCA in Myrtle Beach, SC September 16-17. I was honored to preach on the topic, “How Can We Have Effective Outreach?” from Romans 10:10-17. We had a wonderful evening of dinner and fellowship on the 17^th with Faith’s Outreach Committee. Grace Lim prepared a delightful meal. We also discussed plans and timelines for Carolina Forest Church. Furthermore, I was able to give them some needs that they can work on for us until we get moved to the field. One, which I am very excited about is a new website for Carolina Forest. Bob Motice has graciously offered to help get this up and running for us. More details are to come about the website, but what a sensational opportunity for Carolina Forest Church to already have a website for interested parties to find information about us! Finally, we had a great open forum discussion during Sunday School class where I tried to answer as many questions as I could. I felt this was a needed discussion, for many in that room has prayed for this church plant to come into existence for years. Although we may think we know what is best, God’s timing is perfect. This gave all of us in that room time to really reflect on how extremely good God is in bringing the church plant to the Carolina Forest community and that their prayers have never been unheard by our gracious Lord. Praise the Lord for His abundant mercies in our lives.

Mark preaching at Faith, PCA in Myrtle Beach for their Missions Sunday.
Faith is the church who lead the way for this church plant 17 years ago.

Faith, PCA Myrtle Beach

Faith has been an important part of our lives for some time, as we worshiped there when we vacation at Myrtle Beach. If you are ever in the area, I encourage you to worship with them on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am, 805 79th Ave N, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572

You can find out more here:

http://www.faithmyrtlebeach.org/

There was plenty of food and fellowship
during GCP’s missions conference.

Greenwood, PCA – Greenwood, SC

September 23-25, we had the privilege to be a part of Greenwood, PCA’s missions’ conference. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, I was able to share the vision of Carolina Forest at all four meetings and during Sunday School on Sunday the 25^th, field any questions those in attendance may have had. Also, we were able to hear David and Eleanor Fiol’s work in the mountains of India. God has blessed the work of this family in that region of the world for three generations. It was amazing to see His faithfulness come through in the seminary, schools, and children’s homes in that region.

Another aspect of the GPC conference was the preaching of Rev. Richard Smith of Hope Point church in Spartanburg, SC. Pastor Smith walked us through Acts up to chapter 14 and verse 22 and showed how God wove the events in Acts through the power of the Holy Spirit in order to spread the Gospel throughout the world. The following are some memorable quotes Pastor Smith said throughout the weekend:

“Go, then know.”

“God can do a lot in the world if you are willing to remain unknown.”

Worshiping with our friends the Elliott family

“We talk about what we love.”

“People are saved, not by their eyes, but their ears.”

“There is no merit in dying when it is not time to die."

“History moves with hope, because God moves history with purpose.”

C.S. Lewis ~ “If you want a life of comfort, I wouldn’t recommend Christianity.”

Haddon Robinson ~ ““Of course, we will not give God that which costs us nothing … Yet in the final analysis there are no great preachers. There’s only a great Christ who does startling things when we place ourselves and our preaching in his hands.”

If God did nothing else, He encouraged our family’s heart for the mission of Carolina Forest.

Greenwood, PCA - Greenwood, SC

Greenwood has also been an important part of our lives for some time. They have been a great encouragement for our family through the years. If you are ever in the Greenwood area, I encourage you to worship with them on Sunday mornings at 10:30 am, 1414 Calhoun Rd, Greenwood, SC 29649

You can find out more here:

www.gpc-pca.org/

"God isn't looking for people of great faith, but for individuals ready to follow Him" — Hudson Taylor

A New Ministry on the Horizon

The picture to the left is of Mark sharing the vision of Carolina Forest church plant at GPC. A neat aspect to the picture are the flags of other countries in the background. The bottom picture is of the sunrise on the way to work one day.