Indianapolis, IN
​Austin & Sharon Reifel

Greetings from Indy Reformed!

​It brings me great joy to share with you that what began as an initial inquiry back in 2013, and eventually developed into a Bible study in 2018, has now progressed towards planting a URC in Indianapolis, praise the Lord for his faithfulness! Here are a few highlights from 2021 along with plans for this year.

  • In January, our family—my wife Sharon and our three girls Adeline, Penelope, and Florence—visited the core group in Indianapolis. The group’s overseeing consistory, Zeltenreich Reformed Church (ZRC) called two worship services during our visit, and we found this to be a great time to meet the people involved and explore the area.
  • In June, we relocated to Indianapolis which came with settling into a new home, meeting new people, cultivating growing relationships, and finding a place among the core group at Indy Reformed.
  • Shortly after arriving we began weekly home Bible studies and found this to be a sweet time as the group came together to study, pray, and sing while enjoying rich fellowship. The Lord blessed our initial efforts by adding to our number and providing us with a readiness to begin meeting for Sunday morning services.
  • In August, we gathered for our first Sunday morning service as the Lord graciously provided a central meeting location with plenty of room for growth.
  • At the close of 2021, our group is now made up of nine families with a total of 42 souls. We turned the new year with great praise and thanksgiving for the many ways God has been pleased to bless the efforts and give us clarity for the future.
  • In January 2022, ZRC called an ordination service at Indy Reformed where I was ordained to the Ministry of Word and sacrament and installed as a home missionary to Indianapolis. This was a very special time for our people, and we were greatly encouraged by the support received from several churches in our federation and beyond.
  • We have several plans for the new year and ask that you join us in prayer as we see these things through. Many of our families are participating in membership class, which began in late January. We will continue elder and deacon training with great thankfulness for the men who have expressed an interest in serving. We also plan to add a catechism service to our weekly agenda in the Spring. 

​We praise and thank the Lord for how he has established the work in Indianapolis, blessed the planting efforts by adding to our number, and continues to provide by giving us clarity and direction for the future. We are most thankful for saving grace we have received in Christ Jesus our Lord. As we proceed, we are mindful of the wonderful truth that our almighty God gathers, protects, and preserves His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against her. Thank you for your continued prayers, your much needed encouragement, and your generous financial support.
 
Yours in Christ,
Austin Reifel