The Great Lakes Gulf Presbytery met at the Orlando Reformed Presbyterian Church March 5-6, 2026. Rev. Philip McCollum preached the retiring moderator’s address from 1 Peter 5:1-4 focusing on the duties of the eldership. The Great Lakes-Gulf Presbytery is currently made up of fifteen congregations and two (or three) church plants ranging from Eastern Michigan down to Central Florida.
The court heard four memorials for former members of the court or widows of the court, that have gone to be with the Lord since our last meeting: James Wright; Mrs. Paul Matthews; Mr. Joe Moore; and Dr. Jerry O’Neill.
Following memorials, Rev. Adam Kuehner (Southfield, MI) was elected moderator and Rev. Nathan Eshelman (Orlando, FL) and Rev. Joel Hart (Columbus, IN) were elected as clerk and assistant clerk.
Three men were presented to the court to be received as students under care: Josiah Cook (Southfield, MI), Jonathan Park (Lafayette, IN), and Jared Rodriguez (Orlando, FL). Each of these men presented their testimonies and their sense of call to ministry. The court received each by vote.
The court heard updates from Geneva College, the Home Mission Board, and as well as from our chaplains, Ross Fearing (a written report) and Phil Pockras.
A request to receive a retired minister’s wife onto the rolls of presbytery was discussed. The chair of the membership committee said this was not a good way to receive shepherding from the presbytery. The request was not approved due to the presbytery not believing they are equipped to provide needed shepherding.
A communication was heard from Mr. Tom Dinkledine from Kokomo, IN related to requests for presbytery transparency and procedures. He presented several ideas on how to make presbytery run more efficiently. This was sent to committee and will resurface with various recommendations in Spring of 2027.
Several student examinations were given over the weekend. Mr. TJ Patillo took his Theology 1 examination and was sustained. He was then licensed to preach the gospel. Mr. John Punt preached an expository sermon and presented an exegesis paper on Ephesians 2. Christopher Schrock, who has been called to serve as pastor of Second Reformed Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis sat for ordination exams. He preached on Proverbs 10; had a personal godliness exam; and then an exam on systematic theology and commitment to the Reformed Presbyterian Testimony.
Following those examinations there was some debate on what to do with his ordination, as he was ordained in the CREC and is coming to our presbytery through the Midwest Presbytery (RPCNA). The court determined his CREC ordination was “irregular, but lawful” and will install him in June as the minister of the Second Indianapolis.
Two visitations reports were heard: Sycamore and Bloomington. Visitations are where presbytery sends official delegation to our churches to check on their well-being. A Shepherding Committee to Second Indianapolis was dismissed after their report. The committee encouraged the session to continue to grow in their shepherding of the congregation and also spoke about a number of members that have recently left.
Westminster congregation in the northern suburbs of Chicago was given approval to sell their building and manse and to relocate north within their center-mass of their congregation.
Rev. Joshua Smith (Westminster) presented a resignation to the court and it was approved following its hearing. Rev. Smith also has proposed a church plant (exploratory work) in the Shoals Area of Alabama. That work was approved and his family will be relocating to begin that church planting endeavor. Please pray for this work and the Smiths as they relocate.
On Thursday evening the court heard from the Covenanter Youth (CYPU) leadership, a committee of teens that aid in the organization of presbytery youth events. They spoke on a number of various projects and events that occurred throughout the year. Rev. Aaron Murray, our youth coordinator, spoke of the “logic” of our youth ministry, balancing theology, projects, and fellowship.
Each congregation was able to give a report on the ministry of their congregations since our last meeting. The two most difficult reports came as requests to dissolve. The Sparta, IL and Selma, AL congregations both were granted petitions to dissolve. Both of these congregations are nineteenth-century congregations, which have served Christ for over 200 years. Sparta was active in the underground railroad in the early 1800s and Selma is a historic Black church, originally serving freemen in Selma, and included a school (which eventually became the Selma public school). Both of these congregations have dwindled in size and ability over the year and are very sad closures. Selma’s last worship service will be May 3, 2026.
The presbytery also had very difficult matters to adjudicate and very joyous matters to celebrate.
A minister from the mission field was deposed from office for gross violations of the seventh commandment. Joyfully, Rev. Stephen Rhoda, who was suspend in early 2025 for drunkenness, had his suspension lifted and was restored to the court.
Our Confession says, “Church censures are necessary, for the reclaiming and gaining of offending brethren, for deterring of others from the like offenses, for purging out of that leaven which might infect the whole lump, for vindicating the honor of Christ, and the holy profession of the Gospel, and for preventing the wrath of God, which might justly fall upon the Church, if they should suffer His covenant and the seals thereof to be profaned by notorious and obstinate offenders.” WCF, 30.3.
Both of these judicial matters will be communicated to the wider church through the clerks.
Three men from sister denominations were able to address the court and bring greetings. Rev. Aldo Leon, from Pinelands Presbyterian Church (PCA), Rev. Christian Khanda from Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC), and Rev. Matthew Atteberry from Chapel by the Sea (ARP) all were welcomed to the court and gave updates on their work and ministries.
Presbytery will meet next Spring in Columbus, IN and also this June in Indianapolis for the installation of Pastor-elect Schrock.
The court enjoyed the singing of Psalms together, many profitable times of prayer, and excellent food provided by the women of the Orlando congregation. Many presbyters spoke of a high level of peace in our court and a unity that has not been enjoyed for several years. We give God all the glory for the peace and unity of Zion.
Rev Nathan Eshelman
