A grassroots movement is emerging to renew missional commitment among Presbyterians and to support long-term mission service for individuals who are called to serve alongside the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s international partners.
“With You Always” is coordinated by an eight-member team and involves congregations, presbyteries, mission networks and mission-sending agencies.
Related reading: “PC(USA) announces major cuts to mission co-workers amid restructuring” by Eric Ledermann, Outlook reporting
“My hope and prayer is that God will use the With You Always initiative to spark missional renewal among Presbyterians and that God will revive us by recentering us as the sent people of God,” said Don Dawson, a member of the With You Always steering team.
This development follows a decision by the PC(USA)’s Interim Unified Agency earlier this year to change its model of global engagement. The result was the elimination of its program of mission-sending, which meant the dismissal of 54 mission co-workers, some of whom were reassigned as regional liaisons.
Thus far, at least 17 of the former mission coworkers have secured arrangements to remain in service or are working toward that goal, Dawson said.
Dawson is the retired director of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary’s World Mission Initiative and the New Wilmington Mission Conference and is co-convener of the Niger Mission Network. He is joined on the steering team by:
- Rachel Weller, former PC(USA) mission co-worker in Ethiopia and convener of the Ethiopian Mission Network.
- James Elisha Taneti, director of the Syngman Rhee Global Mission Center at Union Presbyterian Seminary and assistant professor of world Christianity.
- Matthew Schramm, pastor of Memorial Presbyterian Church in Midland, Michigan, co-convener of the Niger Mission Network and former chair of the PC(USA)’s General Assembly Mission Board.
- Karla Koll, professor at the Latin American Biblical University in Costa Rica and a former mission co-worker.
- Darren Kennedy, a former mission co-worker at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo.
- Richard Haney, retired executive director of Frontier Fellowship.
- David Dawson, retired executive of Shenango Presbytery and Presbyterian mission historian.
Team members said momentum has been building across the denomination. In the months since the February announcement:
- At least six presbyteries have formed relationships with dismissed mission co-workers and pledged to support them in continuing their service. Other presbyteries have expressed interest in providing financial support for international mission personnel.
- The Reformed Church in America has committed to continuing the appointment of three mission co-workers who were under dual appointment by the RCA and PC(USA).
- The Antioch Partners (TAP), a free-standing mission-sending entity formed in 2007, will appoint two former mission co-worker couples and has expressed interest in helping others. Frontier Fellowship and The Outreach Foundation, groups with longstanding ties to PC(USA) congregations, were instrumental in the establishment of TAP.
- Presbyterian mission networks, which comprise Presbyterians with shared mission interests centered on a specific country or region, are providing support through funding efforts and coordination.
The genesis of the With You Always movement was at a meeting of mission network leaders, Dawson said. The networks, in coordination with the New Wilmington Mission Conference in Pennsylvania, facilitated a gathering of dismissed mission co-workers in July. The event was held in conjunction with the New Wilmington Mission Conference and drew 18 of those whose mission appointments had been recently terminated.
Related reading: “PC(USA) faces backlash over mission co-worker layoffs” by Eric Ledermann, Outlook Reporting
Former mission co-workers continuing in service
The following former mission co-workers have secured new mission positions or are in the process of building support for their next chapter of international service alongside Presbyterian global partners:
Mark Adams and Miriam Maldonado Escobar, a married couple, are continuing their work at the U.S.–Mexico border with Frontera de Cristo. Grand Canyon and de Cristo presbyteries have pledged partnership support to help ensure their ongoing service. Frontera de Cristo, a binational ministry, serves the border cities of Douglas, Arizona, and Agua Prieta, Mexico.
Mark Hare and Jenny Bent, also a married couple, have joined the staff of the Presbytery of Scioto Valley and will continue their ministry at the Latin American Biblical University in Costa Rica. Their work in ecological sustainability, climate justice, and community gardening advances the seminary’s commitment to bear witness to God’s concern for all creation.
Josh Heikkila, who served as a regional liaison in West Africa under PC(USA) appointment, intends to continue mission service in Ghana. In his previous role, he worked closely with the Ghana Mission Network, whose members are helping secure financial support for Heikkila’s ministry. Twin Cities Presbytery and Lake Erie Presbytery are collaborating to establish and fund his new mission position.
Jim McGill will remain in Africa under appointment by the Reformed Church in America (RCA). McGill’s work had been supported jointly by the RCA and the PC(USA). He has served in several African countries, helping partner churches bring clean water and sanitation to communities. His most recent appointment was in Niger, but his next assignment will be elsewhere in Africa because of Niger’s political instability.
Shelvis and Nancy Smith-Mather, a mission couple who also held a dual appointment with the RCA and PC(USA), will continue their work in South Sudan under RCA appointment. They serve with RECONCILE, an organization devoted to peacebuilding.
Bob and Kristi Rice, former mission co-workers in South Sudan, have accepted a mission appointment from The Antioch Partners (TAP), effective next May. The Rices will serve in Ghana, where Bob will teach at the Akrofi-Christaller Institute of Theology, Mission, and Culture, and Christi will work on the international planning team of Healing Hearts, Transforming Nations.
Dan and Elizabeth Turk have been invited by the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar to continue their service under appointment by The Antioch Partners. Dan has worked in the church’s agriculture and environmental education ministries, while Elizabeth’s focus has been community health.
Larry and Inge Sthreshley continue their long-term work in health ministries in the Democratic Republic of Congo. For much of Larry’s tenure, he was seconded to IMA World Health, managing large health programs that served millions of people. They now work with Durable Solutions Congo to maintain and develop sustainable approaches to health and the environment.
Karla Koll still teaches at Latin American Biblical University in Costa Rica. Pueblo Presbytery, her home presbytery, is exploring ways to support her ongoing ministry.
Tyler Holm has remained in Malawi at the invitation of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Synod of Livingstonia and the University of Livingstonia, where he has been teaching on the theological faculty. His wife, Rochelle, also continues her work in Malawi on issues of water, sanitation, and health with an American university. Tyler is building a relationship with another sending organization and expects to have more details to share before the end of the year.
César Carhuachín, who has served as a theological professor at partner institutions in Colombia and Chile, is in conversation with a partner seminary about returning to Latin America.
To learn more about how to support these individuals, visit www.withyoualways2025.org.
Mission Mondays
The New Wilmington Mission Conference invites you to participate in Mission Mondays, the second Monday of each month. This Zoom session features a mission co-worker, scholar or partner sharing stories, insights, opportunities and updates about God‘s work around the world.
On December 8th at 7:30 p.m. (EST), Rachel Weller will speak on behalf of With You Always. Email office@nwmcmission.org to register.
