Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Friday, February 3, 2017
Friday, January 6, 2017
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
There is Still Time
There is still time to make an end of the year gift to the Carolina Forest Church Plant. You may send a check to:
Mission to North America
PO Box 890233
Charlotte, NC 28289-0233
Please make your checks payable to Mission to North America.
Church Plant names should be clearly designated with a note accompanying the check or money order indicating Carolina Forest/Myrtle Beach Church Plant.
OR
You may donate online by credit card and/or set up a recurring donation by clicking on the following link.
Friday, December 9, 2016
Quick Update
Dear Friends and Family,
I wanted to give you a quick update on where we are financially and prayerfully.
1) Financially, God has continued to bless us. Since our last update we reached another milestone. As of a few minutes ago, we have reached 65% in one-time gifts and pledges!! Please give praise to the Lord with us. My prayer is that we can reach the 80% mark by the end of the year. That would go far above and beyond what I would have expected. That would be 80% in 7 months (end of June to End of December)!! The figure needed is about $25,000 in three weeks. I believe God can and will do it if it's His will, and my prayer is to be in His will!! Our own Randy Stair at the PCA Foundation, put this out in his update this month...
According to Charity Navigator, 31% of all charitable giving occurs in the month of December. In fact, 12% of all giving occurs in the last three days of the year.
Here’s the problem, the average church can only process one type of gift: cash. The majority of the assets church members have available to give are non-cash (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and real estate).
The good new is the PCA Foundation can help your church [and you personally]
process non-cash gifts without burdening the church’s staff or resources.
If you want to enhance your December offerings, here’s a simple way to do it.
So there are other ways to give. If you are one of those 31% or 12% and your family doesn't know what, or who to give towards, prayerfully consider the Carolina Forest Church Plant and contact Randy Stair if you need the PCA Foundation's services.
2) Pray for us while we go through transition over the next few months. More details are to come, but exciting times are ahead in watching God build His Kingdom through Carolina Forest.
Thanks to ALL of you... individuals, small groups, men's and women's groups, churches!! Thank you most of all for our friendship in Christ. And thank you for your prayer and support!!
Blessings and Merry Christmas!!!
Thursday, December 1, 2016
November Update
A Publication of the
Carolina Forest Church Plant in
Myrtle Beach, SC
Horne Family News
SPIRITUAL GAMECHANGER
Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. (John 14:1)
Over the Thanksgiving holidays I had the chance to watch a 30 for30 ESPN special on Christian Laettner titled “I Hate Christian Laettner.” It was pretty interesting to say the least. And for the record, I don’t hate Christian Laettner. I don’t particularly like Duke basketball, but I don’t hate it, or any of its current/former players. However, this was what I took from the show. Basically, the hate of this young man was, and is still, because the kid had game. He could play with the best collegiate basketball players of his era. He worked hard, motivated his teammates (and some say even Coach “K”), got into his opponents’ heads, and pushed everyone around him to believe in the system. Even in March 1992 when things looked bleak for Duke and they might lose to Kentucky with 2.1 seconds left, after an insane Sean Woods one-handed lay-up, did “The Shot” from Hill-to-Laettner become a real gamechanger for the tournament and Duke basketball history.
You know, as Christians, we have gamechangers that happen in our lives that spiritually impact us as well. Sometimes those gamechangers are super-exciting, mountain-top experiences, like “The Shot” by Laettner. Yet, there are times when the gamechangers are on the Sean Woods side of the game. There is disappointment and sometimes a sense of failure. We’ve done everything we could. We put time, effort, and tears into the process; but the labor of not having “results” are just too much to bear. The sense of failure and the sense of not being good enough haunts our every fleshly fiber. And believe me when I say this, starting a new work brings those thoughts and feelings out just like any other work.
Thankfully, God’s Word gives us great encouragement in those times of despair. We shouldn’t be troubled when Jesus is in whom we believe. He is the One who has already won the game. He has defeated death and Satan and invites us to “come...and abide in Me” (John 15:7). It is in Him that we keep going in our personal lives. Whatever the outcome, or wherever the place, God engineers the goings.
We all have worthy goals, and many we did not, nor will not meet. However, when we abide in Christ, when we put our whole trust in Him, then we know the reality of not having a troubled heart. We know the spiritual “gamechanger” was not in the middle of the game, but at the end of the game when Jesus Christ rose from the grave and won the victory, which affects our lives eternally. That’s blessedness!! That is the greatest thanksgiving we could ever know and have.
Missionary Focus on Ion Keith-Falconer
By Mark A. Horne
Last month the first “Missionary Focus” began with CT Studd. I think it fitting to share about Ion Keith-Falconer this month.
Keith-Falconer (1856-1887) is not a house-hold name as most missionaries go. At least I had not heard of him until recent years. However, he became one of which I identified quickly as a favorite. He was smart, athletic, loved to learn different languages, and was a missionary at heart.
Born in Scotland, he was of noble descent. The third son of the 8th Earl of Kintore, his family line of heroic men dates to the time of keeping the Vikings at bay when they tried to attack Scotland. His academic prowess earned him the invitation to lecture and be lead examiner of Semitics for Cambridge.
Although I love the fact that he followed his heart to world missions in Aden (1885-1886) of the Arabian Peninsula, it was the beginning of his evangelistic ministry that encourages me. Mission work for Keith-Falconer began with a missionary project (1875) in an area outside of Cambridge known as Barnwell. There, they rented a theater and preached to the poor, blue-collar workers of the area. This month –long trial would be deemed a success and turn into a three and a half year work. Indeed, a great home and world missionary
1 More information about Ion Keith-Falconer can be found at http://www.bu.edu/missiology/missionary-biography/i-k/keith-falconer-ion-1856-1887/"I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn it out in a land filled with darkness than in a land flooded with light" — Ion Keith- Falconer
Family Time
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Katherine (left) holding the cake Emma (right) baked for her.
We had a couple of special events this month. First, Lisa’s brother was baptized. All of us went to witness this and are so excited to see his continued growth in the Lord. He is a great man and a good friend. And we are so proud to see what God is doing in his life right now.
As most of you did this past week, we had the opportunity to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with family. We enjoyed a special time with Lisa’s family and with mine. I can’t express the value of support from one’s family when one is in ministry, and especially when one is stepping out in faith to begin a new missionary work like starting a church.
Second, our Katherine celebrated her 11th birthday. She is pictured below with her cousin Emma who baked her birthday cake this year. I can’t express what a true gift Katherine is from the Lord to our family. She has such a sweet disposition, a wonderful personality, and a BIG heart for serving others. She also has a heart for world missions. She saved coins in a jar this past year specifically for a gift to world missions. She has been praying for and studying the country of China and thinks she may be a missionary there one day. We pray that God’s Spirit will continue to lead and guide her in His Sovereign will.
But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children. (Psalm 103:17)
Financial Update
God has continued to bless the CFC plant this month. Through your efforts and prayers, our account went from 42% to 58%. We broke a fundraising barrier by moving past the 50% mark. We still need churches, small groups, and individuals to partner with us. Thank you for your continued love for this ministry. |
Our family roasting marshmallows and enjoying one another around the fire pit.
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Sharing the Gospel: Lovingly
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This month Mark preached at the beautiful
New Covenant, PCA church in Manning, SC
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I had a discussion recently with a young person, who is a Christian, which was in a rather difficult predicament. For the sake of keeping the story straight we will call him Samuel. Samuel shared the gospel with someone that we will call Willie. Samuel learned that Willie is in gross sin and Samuel cares about Willie’s soul greatly. Initially, Willie genuinely thanked him and said that if he ever needed to talk about that kind of “stuff” he would be sure to let Samuel know. However, the next day, when Samuel saw Willie in the hall, Willie would not speak to Samuel. To make matters worse, throughout the day all of Willie’s friends acted mad at Samuel and wouldn’t speak to him. Samuel came to me to ask if he had did anything wrong and if he should take any further action?
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Jonathan aggravating his sister.
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My response was...yes! Samuel definitely needed to take action! And that action is to keep on loving Willie. We talked for a little bit about 2 Corinthians 4:4 and the fact that Willie just don’t know his true sins. He is blind. He cannot in any way see ,by his own effort, who Christ is and what Christ has done for Willie. Willie’s god, and the god of his friends, one which at this point is the acceptance of each other, has blinded their minds; and unfortunately, that is the cost of being a follower of Christ. I told Samuel to keep planting seeds, keep watering, and allow God the Holy Spirit to change the heart.
I know that many times we find ourselves in these difficult circumstances when we do what is right, or stand up for what we believe. Rejection is a byproduct of being a follower of Christ. However, just as He did not give up on us, neither should we give up on others. Let’s keep sharing the gospel in a loving way, showing how our Savior lives in us, and praising God for when He reveals Himself to others.
Into the Carolina Forest Podcast
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Tanner enjoying Thanksgiving with family
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After we received some positive feedback from our first ever podcast, I am proud to announce that Tanner has agreed to help me continue this venture. To start with, we will mostly discuss the “happenings” of the church plant. However, we desire to explore deeper subjects such as theology, church life, family life, and sermons among other things. It will be sporadic for a while as we will have to work around Tanner’s school schedule and the wild and crazy life of starting a church. However, when we do it, Tanner is going to produce a quality product that I think our listeners will enjoy. If you haven’t heard what he put together the first time, go and check it out at the following website:
Prayer Items
- That God will continue to go before us working out His providence and revealing His will.
- That God will give direction to the MNA committee this month as they make crucial decisions.
- That God is working in hearts so that we can bring together a core group when we get there.
- That God will show us the home that will be suitable for the ministry of hospitality.
- That God will be working in the hearts of men that committed to be our provisional Session.
- That God will raise up a musically gifted worship leader for the work.
- That God will help us to effectively share our vision with churches/individuals who will partner with us through prayer and finances.
- That God will give us safe travels to and from these churches we visit.
- That our new website will be up and running smoothly.
- For school (Lisa, Jonathan, Katherine – homeschooling & Tanner – college) to be diligent in all they do.
- That we will find a good homeschool association when we get to Myrtle Beach.
- That we will be patient and remain faithful when things aren’t “happening” as quickly as we would like.
Praise Items
- The work of Pee Dee Presbytery as they continue to guide and direct the ministry.
- The prayer and financial partners that have already committed to this work.
- For the new financial partners who committed this past month.
- The interest that is growing for the work God has called us and those who can’t wait to see a church in Carolina Forest!
- All of the churches that allowed us to come and share our vision with them.
- Lisa, Jonathan and Katherine as homeschooling has gone extremely well so far this year.
Carolina Forest Church - A Little History
This church plant began with a vision some seventeen years ago. Faith, PCA in Myrtle Beach heard that Horry County and a national company in the area wanted to develop the Carolina Forest community. With this development tracts of land would be sold for churches to start for the residents. Through much prayer, patience, and partnership with Surfside, PCA God has revealed that now is the time for this church to get going.
CFC is a church in the Presbyterian Church in America denomination whose distinctiveness lies in our stress on both reformation and revival and our commitment to the Scriptures and the historic Westminster Standards based firmly on a biblical theology that answers the questions and issues of each culture and people to which we minister. (www.pcanet.org)
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Quick Update
Brothers and Sisters,
This is a quick update, not a long post.
Give the Lord praise with us!! We have truly reached a milestone. In less than a week of our sending our newsletter out, we broke the 50% mark of our fundraising. As of 1:52 pm this afternoon, we have 54% of our first year of funding either banked, or pledged. This is phenomenal seeing that we truly hit the ground at the end of June/first of July beginning to raise funds. So in 4 months, we broke the 50% barrier. However, there are 4 major prayer items you can pray with us immediately:
1) Some key decisions our presbytery's (Pee Dee) MNA Committee will be making concerning us in the next couple of weeks. We believe they are authoritatively in place by God for our protection and His glory. Our family's stance is to follow His will and not our own. So to reiterate, pray for their discussions and decisions.
2) That God will continue to bless the Carolina Forest church plant (not Mark and Lisa Horne) with funding. We are only a part of this ministry. The goal is for a church in God's Kingdom to be placed in this community for advancing His Kingdom further.
3) That those who are partnering with us in this ministry will be blessed as we hear of their pledges and support in the coming weeks, and for those I will be meeting with in the next couple of months to share how they may partner with us.
4) Finally, and most important, for an influx of end-of-the-year one time giving, which could push us closer to the 100% mark. Whether it be churches who may not be able to partner with us annually, but be willing to take up a Thanksgiving, or Christmas Love offering designated for Carolina Forest Church. Also, it may could come from individuals who has an amount designated for some ministry they are planning to give toward as an annual gift, but have been waiting for God to lead that ministry to them. Who knows whom God may lead to help CFC reach goal - individuals, small groups, churches/organizations - we know He has their hearts in His plan.
We know that no gift is too small, or insignificant. A $25 one time gift gets exponentially blessed as much as a $2,500, or $25,000 one time gift.
Thank you for praying with us!!
Blessings,
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
October Update
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| Our family's afternoon to Table Rock State Park |
A Publication of the
Carolina Forest Church Plant
in Myrtle Beach, SC
October, 2016
Volume 1, Issue 10
Horne Family News
Beliefs Determine Behavior
By Mark Horne
I don’t know how many of you believe this statement, but it took me a long time to grasp the concept. This year, as I have filled pulpits and preached at other churches, I have been preaching through Galatians and this major point hit home with me. At the beginning of chapter 3 verses 1-6, Paul makes an exclamation and then asks several questions to his church. O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? … just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? I think a lot of people struggle with the concept of believing. Many like the idea of believing, but still hold on to the mentality of working for salvation. Others like the idea of believing , but can never feel secure in God’s promises. Still others like the idea of believing, but can’t fully trust the intangible, the meta-physical, the super-natural power of God, which is at work in his or her life. The Galatians had trouble with these things as well. They liked the idea of believing in Christ for their salvation, but they struggled with the fact that they had nothing to do with it . And because of this, they allowed false teachers to bewitch them. Their belief changed from what Paul taught them, which was freedom in Christ, to what the false teacher taught them, which was you have to keep the law perfectly in order to be saved. That one change in what the Galatians believed altered their whole life-perspective and the way they lived for God. Each one of us needs to hold fast to the truth of God’s Word of His redeeming power in Christ Jesus. For who we truly believe Jesus to be in our life governs how we live that life.
Another aspect of this account is the life of the church. Not only were individuals affected by their change in what they believed, the whole church became toxic with the idea. Once they lost sight of Christ, everything else went down the drain. In my opinion, a church has to know its mission. It has to know its purpose in its community. Each individual needs to know why they have Christ, as well as the church as a whole. I think it is twice as important for a church in its beginning. If the church plant isn’t clear on its mission, why it is even coming into existence, it can easily become bewitched like the Galatian church. Our mission for CFC is clear, concise, and direct. Simply stated , “our mission at Carolina Forest Church is to embrace the community of Carolina Forest and the greater Myrtle Beach area with the good news of Jesus Christ, edifying each other through God’s Word and empowering one another to share the love of God through ministries of evangelism and mercy. “ Pray with us that as this work gets off the ground our eyes will stay focused on, and our hearts remain in accord with, Our Savior.
Missionary Focus on C.T. Studd
By Mark Horne
I thought in this issue of Horne Family News I would highlight one (of many) of my favorite missionaries. Charles Thomas “C.T.” Studd born in Spratton, Northamptonshire, England (Dec. 2, 1860—July 16, 1931), he was a missionary to China, Africa, and the Congo. Interestingly, he was an outstanding cricket player for Trinity College, Cambridge in England.
After his conversion, one of his brothers became ill and it caused Studd to ask himself, “What is all this fame and flattery worth when you have to stand before God?” Needless to say that realization made Studd a man fully committed to advancing the Kingdom of Christ. He then devoted his life completely to the mission field.
C.T. Studd felt the Lord leading him to China. He inquired into Hudson Taylor’s ministry , the China Inland Mission. He, along with six other men, were accepted to the fruitful work in China. However, before they left, they went on a tour of England to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These seven men would earn the nickname “The Cambridge Seven.”
Finally, Studd so relied on God and the life of faith that while he was in China he gave all of his inheritance away when his father died. He knew that God’s sovereign hand so directs circumstances that He would drop a large sum of money at just the right moment. He encouraged missionaries to take risks and rely on God’s providence. On his stance of giving towards missions he said, “"If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him."
"Some wish to live within the sound of a chapel bell; I wish to run a rescue mission within a yard of hell." — C.T. Studd
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I have to tell you how many blessings have come upon this ministry as we prepare to go to the mission field of Myrtle Beach, and particularly the community of Carolina Forest. We have witnessed God’s provision in sending more financial and prayer partners (you have heard the young folks talk about their BFFs, well what is even better is what I call our FPPs). It is an understatement to suggest that we could not be more thankful than we are now to be almost at the halfway point in funding in three months. This ministry could not get off the ground without the prayers and support of our FPPs. Each one of them is a Cornelius to us!
I’m sure you remember Cornelius in Acts chapter 10. He was the Italian Centurion that lived in Caesarea. This is what God’s Word tells us about him in verse 2 and following:
“He was a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually. About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had just come in and said to him, "Cornelius!" And fixing his gaze on him and being much alarmed, he said, "What is it, Lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God. “ And then when he was explaining to Peter why he did what he did he states, “and he said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. ‘”
There is not a ministry or mission that exists without the Corneliuses that are used by God to make it happen. Most of them are silent partners. However, they are the backbone of the mission. Cornelius was a man of prayer and of financial giving. He appealed, pleaded and petitioned God for the work of His Kingdom. When he saw needs, Cornelius gave freely. How powerfully this man was used by God! Just think, to have your prayers “as a memorial before God,” and your giving “remembered before God,” that had to be special to hear.
Although we have been quickly blessed beyond measure; yet, as stated to the left in the financial update; we still have a ways to go. Even if you, or your church can’t support us long-term, would you consider a one-time donation? Could your church take up a love-offering for Carolina Forest? The one-time partners add up just like the long-term partners. They really do. More importantly than the donations is pray for this work. It has been a long time coming. Sixteen plus years men and women have prayed for this church to start in Carolina Forest. It is literally months away from getting off the ground. And we know that whatever obstacles are in front of us, financial or otherwise, prayer will overcome.
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| Katherine at Table Rock State Park |
Family Time
This month, we took a Saturday afternoon and visited Table Rock State Park, SC. It was a great day for us as we really haven’t done much as a complete family in a while. With Tanner in college and working at the Anderson YMCA, and then the rest of our schedules, the five of us just have not been able to have an adventure together.
It was a great day as we took off in the minivan, packed with picnic items, and listening to the Carolina Gamecocks and UMass game on the way. We stopped and bought some boiled peanuts and ate them while taking in the change in color of the leaves along the highway.
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| Jonathan (top) & Tanner (below) relaxing at Table Rock State Park |
Like our past visits, upon arriving we ventured out to hike the trail. I insisted that we tackle half the Table Rock Trail. It was a good hike and Jonathan got to take some really cool pictures for his
Instagram account. We made it back to the picnic area and we set up to grill hamburgers and enjoy great fellowship with each other. We laughed and cut up. I was a little nostalgic remembering when all three were babies I would hike with them on my back. And now, in the blink of an eye, those babies are grown. The two boys entering into manhood and seeking the Lord’s will for their own life.
We are truly blessed with children who love God and have put their trust in Christ. It reminds me of Psalm 127:3-5 which states, Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate..
We are excited by what God is doing in this church plant. And we are just as excited about what He is doing in our children’s lives. We are blessed to have them be a part of our ministry. Each one adds value to our family and to the calling he has given to our family. Pray with us for our children. Pray that God will continue to lead and guide them in His will. Pray that their decisions will be based on much prayer and God’s Word. And pray that their faith will remain steadfast even in turbulent times that may be ahead for them.
Prayer Items
- That God will continue to go before us working out His providence and revealing His will.
- That God is working in hearts so that we can bring together a core group when we get there.
- That God will show us the home that will be suitable for the ministry of hospitality.
- That God will be working in the hearts of men that will be our provisional Session.
- That God will raise up a musically gifted worship leader for the work.
- That God will help us to effectively share our vision with churches/individuals who will partner with us through prayer and finances.
- That God will give us safe travels to and from these churches we visit.
- That our new website will be up and running smoothly.
- For school (Lisa, Jonathan, Katherine – homeschooling & Tanner – college) to be diligent in all they do.
- That we will find a good homeschool association when we get to Myrtle Beach.
- That we will be patient and remain faithful when things aren’t “happening” as quickly as we would like.
Praise Items
- I know these are a repeat of last month, but they still hold true this month. This ministry trulyhas been blessed by:
- The work of Pee Dee Presbytery as they have figured out who will make up our provisional Session.
- The prayer and financial partners that have already committed to this work.
- The interest that is growing for the work God has called us and those who can’t wait to see a church in Carolina Forest!
- All of the churches that allowed us to come and share our vision with them.
- Lisa, Jonathan and Katherine as homeschooling has gone extremely well so far this year.
- Tanner is doing well in his first semester of college.
Carolina Forest Church
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