file: /pub/resources/text/reformed: nr94-052.txt ------------------------------------------------ For Immediate Release October 5, 1994 Release #1994-52 For Further Information Contact: Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer Reformed Believers Press Service Voice: (616) 674-8446 FAX: (616) 674-8454 E-Mail: Darrell128@AOL.com PO Box 691, Lawrence, MI 49064-0691 John Van Dyk, Managing Editor Christian Renewal Voice: (905) 562-5719 FAX: (905) 562-7828 E-Mail: JVanDyk@AOL.com US: PO Box 770, Lewiston, NY 14092 CANADA: PO Box 777, Jordan Station ON L0R 1S0 Overseer of "Urban Nations" Ministry in New York Resigns by John Van Dyk c 1994 Christian Renewal Distributed by Reformed Believers Press Service Editor's Note: The text following is copyrighted by Christian Renewal but available for reprint in whole or in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given. (October 5, 1994) RBPS - A ministry to immigrants in New York City established a year ago will continue on for the time being without the services of its overseer. Rev. Wayne Leigh has resigned from the position with Urban Nations. In a special meeting called on September 10 to deal with the surprise decision, the board accepted his resignation. Leigh was called to the position of overseer, or supervisor, of this fledgling missions outreach project by the council of Messiah's Congregation in Brooklyn, New York. The purpose of the mission is to reach out with the gospel of Jesus Christ to some of the thousands of immigrants who have made New York City their home. Previously a missionary in Japan under the supervision of Christian Reformed World Missions, Leigh returned to British Columbia in 1990 to become the pastor of Telkwa CRC. The Telkwa congregation later divided and Leigh became the pastor of the Reformed Church of Telkwa, an independent congregation affiliated with the Alliance of Reformed Churches. Leigh accepted the call to serve with Urban Nations because he said that his first love was missions work in an urban environment. At the time, the move to Urban Nations, a new project under the supervision of the Messiah's Congregation council and an independent board of directors, was seen to be a perfect fit for Leigh in the opinion of the board and the church's pastor, Rev. Steve Schlissel. The idea for the missions project in New York City was developed by Schlissel, who saw the potential for missions outreach and evangelism to the over 400 language groups and literally thousands of immigrants who come to America through the gateway of New York City to begin a new life. Leigh's mandate was to oversee the work of the mission through administration, preaching, fundraising, and supervision of the other missionaries, now three in total, under the employment of Urban Nations. Because of his previous missions work in Japan, Leigh's particular missions focus was to work within the Japanese community in New York with the hope of establishing a Japanese church. Also joining Urban Nations were Rev. Tony Zekveld as an "ambassador" to the Russians, Mr. Patrick Edouard as an "ambassador" to the Haitians, and Mr. Gerald Wisz as an "ambassador" to the immigrants from Poland. The mission is supported through the giving of independent Reformed churches and individuals as well as some Presbyterian churches, and the funds are administered by the council of Messiah's Congregation. Although reports of the missions efforts have indicated a smooth and forward moving progress for the most part, Leigh's resignation letter to the board expressed concerns that there were some problems with aspects of the organization that needed "serious attention." Asked about his plans for the future, Leigh said he is open to a "stated supply situation if one should come up," for the time being at least. The family will be moving out of their New York apartment by the end of November. As for Urban Nations, the board has yet to decide on whether to look for another overseer, according to board member Dr. Nelson Kloosterman. Those decisions have yet to be made. But Urban Nations will continue with the present staff of ambassadors, said Schlissel, and the work of administration will be taken over by Grace Huisman, who is immigrating from the Netherlands, and, according to Schlissel, should be arriving in New York sometime this fall. Contact List: Dr. Nelson Kloosterman, Professor, Mid-America Reformed Seminary Rt. 2, Box 163, Orange City, IA 51041 - O: (712) 737-3446 - H: (712) 737-4838 - FAX: (712) 737-3318 Rev. Wayne Leigh, Former Overseer, Urban Nations 1805 Avenue J, Brooklyn, NY 11230 - (718) 692-4260 Rev. Steve Schlissel, Pastor, Messiah's Congregation 2662 E. 24th St., Brooklyn, NY 11235 - (718) 332-4444