They’ve practiced 10-minute presentations – polishing speeches in which they will provide a quick glimpse into their work, telling a little of the joys and challenges of living out their faith in an international context.
They’ll keep moving – making presentations in 150 of the 173 presbyteries in what’s being called the World Mission Challenge. And they’ll end their travels at the Mission Celebration ’09, being held in Cincinnati Oct. 22-24 – where Presbyterians active in mission networks in places such as China and Cuba will gather as well.
Also traveling this month will be international peacemakers from 11 countries – representing partner churches that work with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to grow the church and resolve difficulties around the world.
In some cases the peacemakers will be traveling in teams with the mission co-workers – for example, Joel Tendero, administrative pastor of Calamba Evangelical Church, part of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, traveling with Cobbie Palm, director of spiritual formation at the Silliman University Divinity School.
The hope of all this action is to build closer connections between Presbyterians in the pews and the mission co-workers – and, frankly, to raise money to support PC(USA) world mission efforts.
On Sept. 24, a “sending-forth” service was held during the General Assembly Mission Council’s meeting in Louisville.
“We too have been called to find our place in partnership,” said Ellen Dozier, a missionary-in-residence for the PC(USA), who’s been helping to organize these events. “Some planting, some watering, some teaching, some going … many praying.”
The peacemakers “go out to share their stories of the things that make for peace in their countries,” Dozier said.
The presbyteries that host them have as their ministry “to listen and receive.”
Hunter Farrell, the PC(USA)’s director of world mission, thanked those involved for being willing to give their time for this “month-long marathon” – to speak of their work in a world in which the word “mission” can mean anything from an international vacation to deep commitment, he said.
Farrell told the co-workers and peacemakers that “you are being sent out into a polarized society, a nation of red states and blue states,” of immigrants and those native-born, reflecting the disparities all around the world between rich and poor.
Bruce Reyes-Chow, moderator of the 218th General Assembly, thanked those participating for being willing to teach “these very eager Presbyterians” about the history, tradition and depth of Presbyterian mission work.
