Vern Picknally ('99)

I graduated from MARS in 1999 and have had the privilege and joy of serving three congregations in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. My first call was to Bethel OPC in Carson, ND (now in Mandan, ND). I went to Carson, first, as stated supply in November of 1999, and then was ordained and installed as pastor in April of 2000. Interestingly, my installation was delayed 2 weeks due to an ice storm. I served Bethel OPC for about 12 years.

Moving Beyond the Comfort Zone
In September of 2011, I left my comfort zone and accepted a call to be the organizing pastor (church planter) at Fremont OPC (later Bethel Reformed OPC) in Fremont, MI, which is about an hour north of Grand Rapids. I then became Bethel Reformed's first pastor when they became a new and separate congregation in February of 2016. After almost 14 years, I was just recently installed as pastor of Christ Presbyterian OPC, in Janesville, WI, on September 26th. Dr. Venema participated in the installation by giving me the charge from 1 Corinthians 4:1-5. I am looking forward to getting to know the saints here in Janesville and serving the Lord here in their midst. I should mention that the congregation and elders at Christ Presbyterian speak highly of the many MARS students and professors who have served them in their time without a pastor.

A Blessed Beginning in Janesville
Ministry at CPC has been busy and blessed. The congregation has grown some even in their time without a pastor. In my first month since being installed, there were the births of two children in the congregation (both on the same day), a marriage, and the baptism of an adult who professed her faith. The Lord has been blessing this congregation. The elders here are diligent and godly men who are endeavoring to and have been shepherding the flock here well. I look forward to serving alongside these men. The congregation is also involved in door-to-door evangelism, sharing the gospel at a local laundromat where they pay for people's laundry and then talk to them about Jesus as they wait, and they reach out at a Men's Shelter as well by providing a meal and gospel conversation. I am looking forward to seeing how the Lord will use me and His church here in the years ahead.

Family and Personal Reflections
I remain thankful for my wife and help-meet, Olena, who has served by my side this whole time. In January, Lord-willing, we will celebrate 30 years of marriage together. Olena is originally from Ukraine, so the ongoing war there is often on our minds. Her parents and sister currently live in Michigan, and her brother lives in England so they are out of harm's way. Yet, she has many cousins in Ukraine that we pray for. We have been blessed with three adult children: Vera, Ivan, and Nadia. In January of this year, we were blessed with our first grandchild, Katherine, born to Vera and her husband, Tyler. Another blessing is that our youngest, Nadia, is to be married this January. We are thrilled with the man that the Lord is providing for her.

Gratitude for God's Calling
I still stand amazed that the Lord chooses to use me as an under-shepherd to care for His sheep. When thinking about the fact that the flock is 'His' flock, purchased by Christ's own blood, this humbles me and, at the same time, gives me great joy. Mid-America Reformed Seminary remains in my prayers. I did not learn all I needed to know at MARS, but no seminary can do that. I was, however, equipped and taught by faithful, godly shepherds to shepherd the sheep. I was given the tools needed to serve Christ in His church. So, I pray that the Lord will continue to use MARS for many more years for the training of men for gospel service. To God be the glory.

Rev. Vern Picknally graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 1999 and currently serves as pastor of Christ Presbyterian OPC in Janesville, Wisconsin.