Ordination and Installation of Mr. Carl Provost

October 27, 2015

In answer to 9 years of prayer, this summer God brought a second elder to minister at Crown and Covenant RPC. On July 14 nine elders from across the country gathered in Conroe Texas to ordain and install Carl Provost to the office of elder and to rejoice with the congregation of Crown and Covenant at God’s provision to our congregation.

The preparation for the ordination actually began several weeks before with a day of prayer and fasting for the Lord’s blessing on Brother Carl’s ministry among us.

The celebration began the evening before the ordination with a time of feasting, singing, and worship. The following morning we gathered at an artisanal café for a leisurely brunch permeated with earnest discussion and encouragement punctuated by the occasional birth of innovative ideas.

Following brunch, the caravan moseyed down the road a couple miles to the Lanier Theological Library where we were treated to a tour of replica of a Byzantine chapel, the original of which was built in the early sixth century in an area of ancient Cappadocia, now known as Tomarza, Turkey. The ceiling was decorated with pictures relating to the themes of the Old and New Testament. A brief description by each painting in either Hebrew (for the OT pictures) or Greek (for the NT ones) gave the elders a chance to test their language skills, as well as a “crick in the neck” from gazing upward.

Following the chapel tour, our group spent some time browsing in the library. A few of the notable items on display were a facsimile of the Copper Scroll, a Dead Sea scroll fragment, a great HE and SHE bible from 1611, and a large collection of letters and manuscripts of C. S. Lewis.

And thus the joyous and solemn time arrived. Dr. Steve Walker, moderator of Covenant Presbyterian Church and pastor of Central Valley Presbyterian Church in Ceres CA, led the service.

Dr. Matt Clark from Foothills Christian Assembly in Augusta SC, brought a message from Hebrews 12:1-3 on the need to look continually to Jesus in order to run the race God has set before us. Following the vows and ordination by prayer and the laying on of hands, the presbyters extended the right hand of fellowship with left hands as Carl lost his right arm in a childhood accident.

Dr. Tom Penning, pastor of Jubilee CPC in Wichita KS, charged our newest elder from 1 Corinthians 2:1-2, exhorting him to point only to Jesus at every point in his ministry.

The charge was to the congregation given by Dr. Phil Kayser, pastor of Dominion Covenant Church in Omaha NE. Dr. Kayser preached from Hebrews 13:7-9, charging us to love our elders. Pastor Kayser drew out 6 ways we can love our elders – imitate, rejoice in the truth from their lips, cover their weaknesses, do good, submit to them, and pray for them. Rev. Carl Provost gave the closing benediction.

Crown and Covenant RPC gives thanks for the many prayers of the CPC, and for the labors of Dominion Covenant Church to augment their session. We continue to covet your prayers as we seek to be a greater and brighter light in Conroe and southeast Texas.