As the co-workers were introduced, they presented an inclusive group — some veterans going back into service and others going out for the first time; some younger, some grey-haired; some with children, some on their own.
They will represent the PC(USA) in countries from Colombia to Bangladesh, doing everything from teaching in seminaries to working along the U.S.-Mexico border to health ministry. And, according to Hunter Farrell, the PC(USA)’s director of world mission, they will join 18 others who have already gone into service since the 2008 General Assembly.
The 2,500 people attending the 2009 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women prayed for them, blessed them, promised to support them with prayer and money — and gave them a standing ovation.
Also commissioned were two long-term mission volunteers and 59 young adult volunteers, some of whom will work overseas and some in the United States.
The new mission co-workers make up the largest class to be sent in several years and “with your help, we are reversing the 50-year downward trend in the number of mission workers. Thank you, Presbyterian Women,” Farrell said.
Presbyterian Women has supported mission work financially for generations – providing generous support in part through the Birthday Offering and Thank Offering, said Linda Valentine, executive director of the General Assembly Mission Council. About two-thirds of the denomination’s mission co-workers are women, she said.
After the commissioning, the crowd sent them off by singing “We are Marching in the Light of God,” sung in English, Zulu, and Spanish.
