missionary messenger spring 2014
DESCRIPTION
This issue's focus is on global missions and ministries of Cumberland presbyterian Church.TRANSCRIPT
MISSIONARYMESSENGER
S P R I N G | 2 0 1 4
THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH’S
MISSIONS
Stott-Wallace Missionary
Offering Fund
Mexico6 churches220 active CPs5 pastors2 candidates2 missionaries - Carlos and Luz
Dary Rivera
GuateMala3 churches130 active CPs2 medical clinics3 missionaries - Anay Ortega, Fhanor and Socorro Pejendino
coloMbia2 presbyteries3 schools2 camps1 senior citizen’s home30 churches4,731 active CPs
38 pastors25 candidates &
licentiates2 missionaries
Boyce and Beth Wallace
* Missionaries that have an initial work in closed countries and for security rea-sons we do publish their names. Much of the data on this map is from the 2013 GA Yearbook. Non-denominational organizations that have CP mission-aries that are not listed by the above missionary are: Frontiers Missions, New Systems Inter-national and Campus Crusade. In some countries missions and churches are listed as “churches”, in the case of Co-lombia missions and preaching points are not numbered as part of the “church” number.
Cumberland Presbyterian Missions Around
the World
Japan
LaOS
S. KOREa
HOnG KOnG
KYRGYSTan
CaMBODIa
BRaZIL
COLOMBIa
UnITED STaTES
GUaTEMaLa
MEXICO
UGanDa
nORTH aFRICa
MYanMaRnEpaL
CHIna
brazil2 churches 60 active CPs2 missionaries from Japan Presbytery - Keishi Ishitsuka and Atsushi Miyajima
North africa via fraNce2 missionaries - S & M S
uGaNda2 missionaries - Kenneth and Delight Hopson working with World Global Missions
KyrGyzstaN1 missionary - T & T G -working with a non-denominational mission
Nepal1 missionary - P T - working with a non- denominational mission
MyaNMar1 missionary - M & H W - working with a non- denominational mission
chiNa3 missionaries - S & L T, N B - working with non- denominational missions
laos1 church1 school40 active CPs2 missionaries - D & S L
caMbodia1 church160 active CPs2 missionaries - D & S L
philippiNes3 churches140 active CPs10 candidates & licentiates2 missionaries - Daniel and Kay Jang
hoNG KoNG1 presbytery10 CP churches3 schools8 ordained ministers22 candidates & licentiates 1,308 active CPs3 missionaries - Glenn Watts / Lawrence & Loretta Fung working with Global Operations International
south Korea4 churches110 active CPs4 pastors1 licentiate
JapaN1 presbytery13 churches1 day care school1 camp18 ordained ministers1,246 active CPs2 licentiates
poster 1-country names.indd 2-3 3/20/14 8:14 PM
500 groups (churches, Sunday school class-es, individuals, like-minded “teams”) contribut-ing $2,000 annually = ONE MILL ION!1,000 Cumberland Presbyterians contributing $1,000 annually = ONE MILL ION!Donor matching giftsA woman baking bread and selling to friends
and neighbors in order to contribute $2,000.Children’s Vacation Bible School collecting
their offering.
Women’s groups using their bazaar and cake sale funds.
Youth carwashes or dog washes – 500 dogs @ $20 each = $10,000! ! ! !
For more information and resources visit our website at http://www.ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/swmof.
Missions Ministry Team | Ministry Counci l of the Cumberland Presbyter ian Church8207 Tradit ional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414 | phone 901.276.4572
SUPPORT STOTT-WALLACE MISSIONARY OFFERING FUND!
STOTT-WALLACEMISSIONARY OFFERING FUND
“Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?”This question is answered every day
by countless believers. Melvin (Buddy) and Beverly Stott answered God’s call for them to go to Japan and were commissioned as CP missionaries during the 134th General Assembly, June 21, 1964. They served in Japan for a total of 26 years! For Boyce and Beth Wallace, God’s call came to them from Colombia, South America and they responded to that life-changing call. They were commissioned during the 133rd General Assembly, a year before the Stotts. The Wallaces remain on the mission field to this day! God’s Church has grown through the efforts of these and countless other missionaries throughout the years.
All endorsed missionaries must raise their own financial support, and/or work with another
organization. This can be a challenge, especially for those missionaries who are not from the USA. This reality has been a growing concern for many years. This concern has given rise to the new Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund!
The vision for the offering is large, but consider what it’s like to move to another country, uproot your family, learn a new language, and leave behind everything that is familiar. The goal is to raise one million dollars for missionary support every year. Yes, EVERY year! Right now, annual missionary support exceeds $250,000. As we open new fields in Central America, Mexico and other locations that God is calling the CP Church the necessary support will continue to rise. Cumberland Presbyterians can do this!
The Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering is ongoing, but we encourage you and your church to celebrate it on Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 2014. Check out the website for ways to celebrate the Offering and materials for education and worship.
http://www.ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/swmof. Every gift to the Stott-Wallace Offering goes directly to the support of CP missionaries. And no gift is too small - just ask those CP women from long ago how their butter and egg money added up to deploy the very first missionary!
HERE IS HOW WE CAN ACHIEVE A ONE MILL ION DOLLAR GOAL:
Mexico6 churches220 active CPs5 pastors2 candidates2 missionaries - Carlos and Luz
Dary Rivera
GuateMala3 churches130 active CPs2 medical clinics3 missionaries - Anay Ortega, Fhanor and Socorro Pejendino
coloMbia2 presbyteries3 schools2 camps1 senior citizen’s home30 churches4,731 active CPs
38 pastors25 candidates &
licentiates2 missionaries
Boyce and Beth Wallace
* Missionaries that have an initial work in closed countries and for security rea-sons we do publish their names. Much of the data on this map is from the 2013 GA Yearbook. Non-denominational organizations that have CP mission-aries that are not listed by the above missionary are: Frontiers Missions, New Systems Inter-national and Campus Crusade. In some countries missions and churches are listed as “churches”, in the case of Co-lombia missions and preaching points are not numbered as part of the “church” number.
Cumberland Presbyterian Missions Around
the World
Japan
LaOS
S. KOREa
HOnG KOnG
KYRGYSTan
CaMBODIa
BRaZIL
COLOMBIa
UnITED STaTES
GUaTEMaLa
MEXICO
UGanDa
nORTH aFRICa
MYanMaRnEpaL
CHIna
brazil2 churches 60 active CPs2 missionaries from Japan Presbytery - Keishi Ishitsuka and Atsushi Miyajima
North africa via fraNce2 missionaries - S & M S
uGaNda2 missionaries - Kenneth and Delight Hopson working with World Global Missions
KyrGyzstaN1 missionary - T & T G -working with a non-denominational mission
Nepal1 missionary - P T - working with a non- denominational mission
MyaNMar1 missionary - M & H W - working with a non- denominational mission
chiNa3 missionaries - S & L T, N B - working with non- denominational missions
laos1 church1 school40 active CPs2 missionaries - D & S L
caMbodia1 church160 active CPs2 missionaries - D & S L
philippiNes3 churches140 active CPs10 candidates & licentiates2 missionaries - Daniel and Kay Jang
hoNG KoNG1 presbytery10 CP churches3 schools8 ordained ministers22 candidates & licentiates 1,308 active CPs3 missionaries - Glenn Watts / Lawrence & Loretta Fung working with Global Operations International
south Korea4 churches110 active CPs4 pastors1 licentiate
JapaN1 presbytery13 churches1 day care school1 camp18 ordained ministers1,246 active CPs2 licentiates
poster 1-country names.indd 2-3 3/20/14 8:14 PM
500 groups (churches, Sunday school class-es, individuals, like-minded “teams”) contribut-ing $2,000 annually = ONE MILL ION!1,000 Cumberland Presbyterians contributing $1,000 annually = ONE MILL ION!Donor matching giftsA woman baking bread and selling to friends
and neighbors in order to contribute $2,000.Children’s Vacation Bible School collecting
their offering.
Women’s groups using their bazaar and cake sale funds.
Youth carwashes or dog washes – 500 dogs @ $20 each = $10,000! ! ! !
For more information and resources visit our website at http://www.ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/swmof.
Missions Ministry Team | Ministry Counci l of the Cumberland Presbyter ian Church8207 Tradit ional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414 | phone 901.276.4572
SUPPORT STOTT-WALLACE MISSIONARY OFFERING FUND!
STOTT-WALLACEMISSIONARY OFFERING FUND
“Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?”This question is answered every day
by countless believers. Melvin (Buddy) and Beverly Stott answered God’s call for them to go to Japan and were commissioned as CP missionaries during the 134th General Assembly, June 21, 1964. They served in Japan for a total of 26 years! For Boyce and Beth Wallace, God’s call came to them from Colombia, South America and they responded to that life-changing call. They were commissioned during the 133rd General Assembly, a year before the Stotts. The Wallaces remain on the mission field to this day! God’s Church has grown through the efforts of these and countless other missionaries throughout the years.
All endorsed missionaries must raise their own financial support, and/or work with another
organization. This can be a challenge, especially for those missionaries who are not from the USA. This reality has been a growing concern for many years. This concern has given rise to the new Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund!
The vision for the offering is large, but consider what it’s like to move to another country, uproot your family, learn a new language, and leave behind everything that is familiar. The goal is to raise one million dollars for missionary support every year. Yes, EVERY year! Right now, annual missionary support exceeds $250,000. As we open new fields in Central America, Mexico and other locations that God is calling the CP Church the necessary support will continue to rise. Cumberland Presbyterians can do this!
The Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering is ongoing, but we encourage you and your church to celebrate it on Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 2014. Check out the website for ways to celebrate the Offering and materials for education and worship.
http://www.ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/swmof. Every gift to the Stott-Wallace Offering goes directly to the support of CP missionaries. And no gift is too small - just ask those CP women from long ago how their butter and egg money added up to deploy the very first missionary!
HERE IS HOW WE CAN ACHIEVE A ONE MILL ION DOLLAR GOAL:
VISIT US ON THE WEBministrycouncil.cumberland.org/currentissue
To read the previous issues of The Missionary Messenger visit us at:
ministrycouncil.cumberland.org /mmarchives
MISSION A R YME SSE NGE R
S P R I N G | 2 0 1 4
{VOL .3, NO.1} 8 2ND MILE PROJECTS
MEXICO CP COUNCIL SUPPORT
9 MISSIONS NEWS CP MISSIONS IN MEXICO AND GUATEMALA
14 "STEP OUT" WHY NEW CHURCHES?
16 HEADS UP 2014 GENERAL ASSEMBLY
20 BIBLE STUDY CONNECTED
12-13columns:
17
k
k
Feature Stories:
VOL. 3, NO. 1
SPRI
NG
201
4
4 MISSIONARY 101!
In 2013 there were hundreds of
thousands of dollars given to support CP
missionaries and CP mission projects.
6 THE FLIP SIDE OF THE COIN
Kaleb Hopson is the son of missionaries
Kenneth and Delight Hopson. They serve
as missionaries in Kampala, Uganda.
Kaleb is currently a freshman at Lake
Land College in Mattoon.
10 CP MEXICO MISSION
Six congregations are part of the CP
family, and a new church plant already
has 40 participants in worship.
11 AJUSCO
On the south side of Mexico City, with one of
the largest populations in the world, a new CP
church plant, “Fuente de Vida” is growing.
12 CP MISSIONS IN GUATEMALA
Today, Statistics Indicate That
Guatemala Is One Of The Most
“Christianized” Countries
In Central America
17 CELEBRATING LOUISA WOOSLEY
At Convention this year we will hear Rev.
Woosley’s story, alongside that of a woman
who was in attendance at one of her revival
services.
9-11
VISIT US ON THE WEBministrycouncil.cumberland.org/currentissue
To read the previous issues of The Missionary Messenger visit us at:
ministrycouncil.cumberland.org /mmarchives
MISSION A R YME SSE NGE R
S P R I N G | 2 0 1 4
{VOL .3, NO.1} 8 2ND MILE PROJECTS
MEXICO CP COUNCIL SUPPORT
9 MISSIONS NEWS CP MISSIONS IN MEXICO AND GUATEMALA
14 "STEP OUT" WHY NEW CHURCHES?
16 HEADS UP 2014 GENERAL ASSEMBLY
20 BIBLE STUDY CONNECTED
12-13columns:
17
k
k
Feature Stories:
VOL. 3, NO. 1
SPRI
NG
201
4
4 MISSIONARY 101!
In 2013 there were hundreds of
thousands of dollars given to support CP
missionaries and CP mission projects.
6 THE FLIP SIDE OF THE COIN
Kaleb Hopson is the son of missionaries
Kenneth and Delight Hopson. They serve
as missionaries in Kampala, Uganda.
Kaleb is currently a freshman at Lake
Land College in Mattoon.
10 CP MEXICO MISSION
Six congregations are part of the CP
family, and a new church plant already
has 40 participants in worship.
11 AJUSCO
On the south side of Mexico City, with one of
the largest populations in the world, a new CP
church plant, “Fuente de Vida” is growing.
12 CP MISSIONS IN GUATEMALA
Today, Statistics Indicate That
Guatemala Is One Of The Most
“Christianized” Countries
In Central America
17 CELEBRATING LOUISA WOOSLEY
At Convention this year we will hear Rev.
Woosley’s story, alongside that of a woman
who was in attendance at one of her revival
services.
9-11
MM: The Missionary Messenger MM: The Missionary Messenger6/ SPRING 2014 SPRING 2014/7
field. Missionaries with non-denominational missions have their own arrangements with those missions if there is a shortfall in donations.
ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.There are no administrative fees withdrawn from missionary donations. One hundred percent of the donation is designated to the missionary’s financial account. This includes missionaries who work exclusively for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and for those who work in non-denominational organizations. Non-denominational organizations will deduct an administrative fee from what MMT sends them as each has its own policy with respect to administrative costs.
MORE MISSIONARIES WANTED.The General Assembly named Central America as the new mission field focus for the next decade. Missions Ministry Team is attempting to rapidly develop CP churches and institutions in Central America. In order to do this, we will need more missionaries. Those interested in exploring the call to missionary service should contact the Director of Global Missions. The Missions Ministry Team also sponsors a program called PREP 1:8 (Acts 1:8) as a means to gather those exploring missions and learn more about the CP mission program. PREP 1:8 events are announced on the MMT’s website.
A MISSION REVOLUTION IS POSSIBLE.The Cumberland Presbyterian Women’s Ministry and the General Assembly approved a new missionary offering, the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund. With just 500 CP churches or women’s groups donating $2,000 a year to this fund we will have one million dollars for missionary salaries and benefits. That is enough to support all current missionaries as well as add more. We can experience mission expansion like we have never experienced before if enough churches and church groups support this missionary offering.
ACCOUNTABILITY.Reputable mission programs provide accountability. Missionaries have a job just like others that God calls to ministry, such as pastors, chaplains, elders and Bible/theology teachers. The Missions Ministry Team gives direct guidance and supervision to missionaries that work in CP churches/institutions, attempting to assure the Church that their work is competent and relevant to our values and goals. The Missions Ministry Team expects non-denominational mission organizations to provide supervision and guidance to the CPs that work in their organizations.
MISSIONARY VISITS TO THE USA.Endorsed CP missionaries do come to the USA. They are usually available for 1 to 2 months to visit CP churches. Often, missionary hosts are recruited to help make arrangements for our missionary to visit different churches or church groups. Most churches want them to visit on a Sunday; however, there are only a few Sundays available during their stay in the USA. The challenge is finding creative ways to gather people during the week to hear a missionary presentation. The size of the group is not as important as their willingness to tell others what they have heard.
THE MISSIONARY VISION OF THE MMT.The first statement made in the endorsed missionary program is our missionary vision statement, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37,39 (NIV). The Missions Ministry Team realizes the urgency of proclaiming our hope in Christ and part of our role is to challenge our missionaries as well as all CPs to share this vision. MM
ART DIRECTORSowgand Sheikholeslami: ext. 211
EDITORSPam Phillips-Burk: ext. 262
Lynn Thomas: ext. 261
T.J. Malinoski: ext. 232
Jinger Ellis: ext. 230
PRINTERA1 Printing
Memphis, Tennessee
MEMBER• Associated Church Press
• Evangelical Press Association
SUBSCRIBER• Evangelical Press Service (EP)
• News Network International (NNI)
MISSIONS MINISTRY TEAMCumberland Presby terian Church
8207 Traditional PlaceCordova, TN 38016-7414
phone 901.276.4572fax 901.276.4578
MISSIONARY
MESSENGERSPRING | 2014
{VOL . 3 , NO.1}
MM
In 2013 there were hundreds of thousands of dollars given to support Cumberland Presbyterian missionaries and CP mission projects. In addition to the generosity of so many Cumberland Presbyterians, many CPs traveled to the mission field as short-term missionaries. Many others prayed, advocated
for missions and even hosted missionaries from a sincere heart for missions. There is a profound interest in missions and our missionaries within the CP Church. We would like to share with you some information that will help you understand and appreciate our missionaries. We call this informational article about missions: “MISSIONARY 101”.
A MISSIONARY IS QUALIFIED AND CROSSES CULTURES.A CP missionary, in order to be classified a “missionary”, must apply and be endorsed by the Missions Ministry Team. They must demonstrate that their ministry is meaningful, they are qualified to do it, and that they will work with people who are culturally different. In the CP context, missionaries are qualified and called by God to cross over a cultural barrier to share the Good News of God’s Kingdom.
MISSIONARY CARDS AND PACKAGES.The missionary world is not like our world - one big difference is there are no mailboxes in the front yard. Where a missionary lives is not necessarily where they receive letters or packages. In some cases the Missions Ministry Team cannot give out the missionary’s contact information for security reasons. These missionaries live in countries that are not accepting of missionaries, thus they must be discreet; therefore, the best way to communicate with most missionaries is by e-mail. If you would like to send a card it would be best to scan it and then send it by e-mail. Always contact the missionary for mailing instructions before sending a package. Some countries will actually charge “taxes and fees” to the missionary for receipt of packages.
HOW TO CONTACT MISSIONARIES IN “CLOSED” COUNTRIES.At the end of 2013 there were 12 CP missionaries in closed countries. For safety reasons we do not give out their names, contact information or details about what they do. However, it is possible to communicate with them by sending an e-mail to the Missions Ministry Team which can then be forwarded to them. If they develop direct communication with those interested in their ministry that is perfectly appropriate. The Missions Ministry Team policy is we do not publish information that could be a security issue.
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN MISSIONARIES ARE AN INTERNATIONAL GROUP.As a result of the CP Church being an international Church we have CP missionaries from various nationalities. Currently our CP missionaries are: American, Chinese (Hong Kong), Colombian, and South Korean. They all work with cultures different than the culture of their origin.
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN MISSIONARIES ARE DIVERSE.The CP Missionary staff represents various backgrounds, cultures and family structures. Our missionaries include: male, female, single, married, clergy members and lay people. Their place of employment includes CP institutions and churches as well as non-denominational mission organizations.
FUNDING MISSIONARIES.All endorsed missionaries must raise their own financial support. This can be a real challenge for CP missionaries that are not from the USA. They often travel to the USA, a foreign country for some, to tell their stories and raise support. Missionaries that work with CP churches and institutions receive a salary from the Missions Ministry Team, which means regardless of the income they raise they will receive the same amount of support each month from the Missions Ministry Team. If support continues to be less than expenses, they either have to find more donors or resign from the mission
: : by Lynn Thomas
MISS
IONA
RY 10
1EDITORIAL
MM: The Missionary Messenger MM: The Missionary Messenger6/ SPRING 2014 SPRING 2014/7
field. Missionaries with non-denominational missions have their own arrangements with those missions if there is a shortfall in donations.
ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.There are no administrative fees withdrawn from missionary donations. One hundred percent of the donation is designated to the missionary’s financial account. This includes missionaries who work exclusively for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and for those who work in non-denominational organizations. Non-denominational organizations will deduct an administrative fee from what MMT sends them as each has its own policy with respect to administrative costs.
MORE MISSIONARIES WANTED.The General Assembly named Central America as the new mission field focus for the next decade. Missions Ministry Team is attempting to rapidly develop CP churches and institutions in Central America. In order to do this, we will need more missionaries. Those interested in exploring the call to missionary service should contact the Director of Global Missions. The Missions Ministry Team also sponsors a program called PREP 1:8 (Acts 1:8) as a means to gather those exploring missions and learn more about the CP mission program. PREP 1:8 events are announced on the MMT’s website.
A MISSION REVOLUTION IS POSSIBLE.The Cumberland Presbyterian Women’s Ministry and the General Assembly approved a new missionary offering, the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund. With just 500 CP churches or women’s groups donating $2,000 a year to this fund we will have one million dollars for missionary salaries and benefits. That is enough to support all current missionaries as well as add more. We can experience mission expansion like we have never experienced before if enough churches and church groups support this missionary offering.
ACCOUNTABILITY.Reputable mission programs provide accountability. Missionaries have a job just like others that God calls to ministry, such as pastors, chaplains, elders and Bible/theology teachers. The Missions Ministry Team gives direct guidance and supervision to missionaries that work in CP churches/institutions, attempting to assure the Church that their work is competent and relevant to our values and goals. The Missions Ministry Team expects non-denominational mission organizations to provide supervision and guidance to the CPs that work in their organizations.
MISSIONARY VISITS TO THE USA.Endorsed CP missionaries do come to the USA. They are usually available for 1 to 2 months to visit CP churches. Often, missionary hosts are recruited to help make arrangements for our missionary to visit different churches or church groups. Most churches want them to visit on a Sunday; however, there are only a few Sundays available during their stay in the USA. The challenge is finding creative ways to gather people during the week to hear a missionary presentation. The size of the group is not as important as their willingness to tell others what they have heard.
THE MISSIONARY VISION OF THE MMT.The first statement made in the endorsed missionary program is our missionary vision statement, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37,39 (NIV). The Missions Ministry Team realizes the urgency of proclaiming our hope in Christ and part of our role is to challenge our missionaries as well as all CPs to share this vision. MM
ART DIRECTORSowgand Sheikholeslami: ext. 211
EDITORSPam Phillips-Burk: ext. 262
Lynn Thomas: ext. 261
T.J. Malinoski: ext. 232
Jinger Ellis: ext. 230
PRINTERA1 Printing
Memphis, Tennessee
MEMBER• Associated Church Press
• Evangelical Press Association
SUBSCRIBER• Evangelical Press Service (EP)
• News Network International (NNI)
MISSIONS MINISTRY TEAMCumberland Presby terian Church
8207 Traditional PlaceCordova, TN 38016-7414
phone 901.276.4572fax 901.276.4578
MISSIONARY
MESSENGERSPRING | 2014
{VOL . 3 , NO.1}
MM
In 2013 there were hundreds of thousands of dollars given to support Cumberland Presbyterian missionaries and CP mission projects. In addition to the generosity of so many Cumberland Presbyterians, many CPs traveled to the mission field as short-term missionaries. Many others prayed, advocated
for missions and even hosted missionaries from a sincere heart for missions. There is a profound interest in missions and our missionaries within the CP Church. We would like to share with you some information that will help you understand and appreciate our missionaries. We call this informational article about missions: “MISSIONARY 101”.
A MISSIONARY IS QUALIFIED AND CROSSES CULTURES.A CP missionary, in order to be classified a “missionary”, must apply and be endorsed by the Missions Ministry Team. They must demonstrate that their ministry is meaningful, they are qualified to do it, and that they will work with people who are culturally different. In the CP context, missionaries are qualified and called by God to cross over a cultural barrier to share the Good News of God’s Kingdom.
MISSIONARY CARDS AND PACKAGES.The missionary world is not like our world - one big difference is there are no mailboxes in the front yard. Where a missionary lives is not necessarily where they receive letters or packages. In some cases the Missions Ministry Team cannot give out the missionary’s contact information for security reasons. These missionaries live in countries that are not accepting of missionaries, thus they must be discreet; therefore, the best way to communicate with most missionaries is by e-mail. If you would like to send a card it would be best to scan it and then send it by e-mail. Always contact the missionary for mailing instructions before sending a package. Some countries will actually charge “taxes and fees” to the missionary for receipt of packages.
HOW TO CONTACT MISSIONARIES IN “CLOSED” COUNTRIES.At the end of 2013 there were 12 CP missionaries in closed countries. For safety reasons we do not give out their names, contact information or details about what they do. However, it is possible to communicate with them by sending an e-mail to the Missions Ministry Team which can then be forwarded to them. If they develop direct communication with those interested in their ministry that is perfectly appropriate. The Missions Ministry Team policy is we do not publish information that could be a security issue.
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN MISSIONARIES ARE AN INTERNATIONAL GROUP.As a result of the CP Church being an international Church we have CP missionaries from various nationalities. Currently our CP missionaries are: American, Chinese (Hong Kong), Colombian, and South Korean. They all work with cultures different than the culture of their origin.
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN MISSIONARIES ARE DIVERSE.The CP Missionary staff represents various backgrounds, cultures and family structures. Our missionaries include: male, female, single, married, clergy members and lay people. Their place of employment includes CP institutions and churches as well as non-denominational mission organizations.
FUNDING MISSIONARIES.All endorsed missionaries must raise their own financial support. This can be a real challenge for CP missionaries that are not from the USA. They often travel to the USA, a foreign country for some, to tell their stories and raise support. Missionaries that work with CP churches and institutions receive a salary from the Missions Ministry Team, which means regardless of the income they raise they will receive the same amount of support each month from the Missions Ministry Team. If support continues to be less than expenses, they either have to find more donors or resign from the mission
: : by Lynn Thomas
MISS
IONA
RY 10
1
EDITORIAL
MM: The Missionary Messenger MM: The Missionary Messenger8/ SPRING 2014 SPRING 2014/9
TThis ministry of the Missions Ministry Team is designed to give assistance to churches searching for a pastor/leader AND to pastors/leaders who are open to a call to a church. This is a nice and tidy definition for a fairly complex pro-cess. For the past 12 years the Reverend Norlan Scrudder has been the LRS Consultant, which he says was supposed to be only temporary! He has provided support and guid-ance to countless churches and pastors/leaders who have been in the midst of the search/call process. His leadership has been one of pastoral care while walk-
ing with both ministers/leaders and churches through this process. So, it is with much gratitude and sadness that we announce the retirement of Reverend Scrudder, which was effective December 31, 2013. His “temporary” job is finally coming to an end!The Missions Ministry Team is now in the process of making the Leadership Referral Service completely
: : by Pam Phillips-Burk
missions news
It is the hope of MMT that this new process will be
easier for people to access, yet assuring a high level of
security and confidentiality.
Leadership Referral Service(LRS)
For the past 12 years the
Reverend Norlan Scrudder has
been the LRS Consultant, which
he says was supposed to be only
temporary!
automated online by mid-year. MMT anticipitates to have it up and running by the time of General Assembly. It is the hope of MMT that this new process will be easier for people to access, yet assuring a high level of security and confidentiality. While there will be a steep learning curve for all, it will provide a more comprehensive service than what has been offered up to this point. For example churches that have created a profile will receive a periodic notice of “candidates” who meet their criteria, and likewise ministers/leaders who have created a profile will receive periodic notices of churches that meet their criteria. Also, regular reminders will be sent to churches/ministers/leaders to close their “case” when a call is complete. MMT is excited about the new possibilities that this service will be able to provide. To help with this transition, newly retired MMT Team Leader, George Estes will be serving as the interim consultant. You can contact him at [email protected] or 901/275-4812. Pam Phillips-Burk, Director of Congregational Ministries will provide staff oversight to LRS. You can reach her at [email protected] or 901-276-4572, ext. 203. MM
My heart beats as the f lashback arrives. The heat of the sun, looking out over the fields and seeing the rolling hills covered with the homes of those
I call friends. To my left, is a concrete wall where I used to play football with the young men I call my brothers. I am surrounded by children of all ages that know me by name.
For a moment I thought I was back home in Uganda, where I belong, but with a f lick of my thumb, reality comes rushing back in like a wave of sadness. The light catches the coin as it ascends into the air and I begin to feel the cold on my hand in this current Illinois winter. The wind bites at my exposed skin as the snow slowly seeps between my fingers with every tense of my muscles. There was never a problem like this back home. I desire to feel the warmth of the African sun on my skin but it’s not possible right now.
The coin obeys gravity’s orders and falls back to its starting place in the palm of my hand. Heads. I can feel another f lashback coming and there I am back home in our pantry looking for something to eat and not finding much but knowing better than to feel sorry for myself for I
knew I was better off than most, living right in the city of Kampala. The cold begins to bite and pulls me back to the real world. I know I’m hungry and I know we have a pantry filled with food and I begin to feel guilty for what I have and how much I take for granted.
I desire to be back with my Ugandan co-workers and high school friends talking about life and discussing topics that would benefit each of us by looking at the world and changing our perspectives, in order to help others around us; but this has not happened. I have been back in America for nearly 6 months now and what I see here are many people too caught up in their own lives and too attached to their phones to even sit down and talk. The difference between Africa and America is just like that coin and its very different faces. I can feel my heart beat again. Another f lashback arises. MM
The Flip Side Of The Coin
: : by Kaleb Hopson
missions news
Kaleb Hopson is the son of missionaries Kenneth and Delight Hopson. They serve as missionaries in Kampala, Uganda. Kaleb is currently a freshman at Lake Land College in Mattoon, IL near the home where the Hopsons are staying while in the USA for a year. He is 18 years old and living at home with his parents until they return to Africa.
For A Moment I Thought I Was Back Home In Uganda, Where I Belong, But With A Flick Of My Thumb, Reality
Comes Rushing Back In Like A Wave Of Sadness.
MM: The Missionary Messenger MM: The Missionary Messenger8/ SPRING 2014 SPRING 2014/9
TThis ministry of the Missions Ministry Team is designed to give assistance to churches searching for a pastor/leader AND to pastors/leaders who are open to a call to a church. This is a nice and tidy definition for a fairly complex pro-cess. For the past 12 years the Reverend Norlan Scrudder has been the LRS Consultant, which he says was supposed to be only temporary! He has provided support and guid-ance to countless churches and pastors/leaders who have been in the midst of the search/call process. His leadership has been one of pastoral care while walk-
ing with both ministers/leaders and churches through this process. So, it is with much gratitude and sadness that we announce the retirement of Reverend Scrudder, which was effective December 31, 2013. His “temporary” job is finally coming to an end!The Missions Ministry Team is now in the process of making the Leadership Referral Service completely
: : by Pam Phillips-Burk
missions news
It is the hope of MMT that this new process will be
easier for people to access, yet assuring a high level of
security and confidentiality.
Leadership Referral Service(LRS)
For the past 12 years the
Reverend Norlan Scrudder has
been the LRS Consultant, which
he says was supposed to be only
temporary!
automated online by mid-year. MMT anticipitates to have it up and running by the time of General Assembly. It is the hope of MMT that this new process will be easier for people to access, yet assuring a high level of security and confidentiality. While there will be a steep learning curve for all, it will provide a more comprehensive service than what has been offered up to this point. For example churches that have created a profile will receive a periodic notice of “candidates” who meet their criteria, and likewise ministers/leaders who have created a profile will receive periodic notices of churches that meet their criteria. Also, regular reminders will be sent to churches/ministers/leaders to close their “case” when a call is complete. MMT is excited about the new possibilities that this service will be able to provide. To help with this transition, newly retired MMT Team Leader, George Estes will be serving as the interim consultant. You can contact him at [email protected] or 901/275-4812. Pam Phillips-Burk, Director of Congregational Ministries will provide staff oversight to LRS. You can reach her at [email protected] or 901-276-4572, ext. 203. MM
My heart beats as the f lashback arrives. The heat of the sun, looking out over the fields and seeing the rolling hills covered with the homes of those
I call friends. To my left, is a concrete wall where I used to play football with the young men I call my brothers. I am surrounded by children of all ages that know me by name.
For a moment I thought I was back home in Uganda, where I belong, but with a f lick of my thumb, reality comes rushing back in like a wave of sadness. The light catches the coin as it ascends into the air and I begin to feel the cold on my hand in this current Illinois winter. The wind bites at my exposed skin as the snow slowly seeps between my fingers with every tense of my muscles. There was never a problem like this back home. I desire to feel the warmth of the African sun on my skin but it’s not possible right now.
The coin obeys gravity’s orders and falls back to its starting place in the palm of my hand. Heads. I can feel another f lashback coming and there I am back home in our pantry looking for something to eat and not finding much but knowing better than to feel sorry for myself for I
knew I was better off than most, living right in the city of Kampala. The cold begins to bite and pulls me back to the real world. I know I’m hungry and I know we have a pantry filled with food and I begin to feel guilty for what I have and how much I take for granted.
I desire to be back with my Ugandan co-workers and high school friends talking about life and discussing topics that would benefit each of us by looking at the world and changing our perspectives, in order to help others around us; but this has not happened. I have been back in America for nearly 6 months now and what I see here are many people too caught up in their own lives and too attached to their phones to even sit down and talk. The difference between Africa and America is just like that coin and its very different faces. I can feel my heart beat again. Another f lashback arises. MM
The Flip Side Of The Coin
: : by Kaleb Hopson
missions news
Kaleb Hopson is the son of missionaries Kenneth and Delight Hopson. They serve as missionaries in Kampala, Uganda. Kaleb is currently a freshman at Lake Land College in Mattoon, IL near the home where the Hopsons are staying while in the USA for a year. He is 18 years old and living at home with his parents until they return to Africa.
For A Moment I Thought I Was Back Home In Uganda, Where I Belong, But With A Flick Of My Thumb, Reality
Comes Rushing Back In Like A Wave Of Sadness.
MM: The Missionary Messenger10/ SPRING 2014 SPRING 2014 ››
NEWSTEPSNEW
MISSIONS
»FINANCIAL DATA:Amount Needed from Second Mile $10,000.00
Amount Contributed to Date $ 0.00
Total Amount Needed for the Project $10,000.00
DURATION:March 2014 – December 2015
CONTRIBUTIONS :Please make check payable to the Missions Ministry Team indicating for project #34392 and mail to 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:Contact Lynn Thomas at [email protected], or (901) 276-4572, ext. 261
GIVI
NG/2014
MISSIONS MINISTRIESProject #34392Second Mile Project
“MEXICO CP COUNCIL SUPPORT”
The CP Church in Mexico is growing! We have an amaz-ing mission work in Mexico City and Juarez: missionar-ies, new churches, and churches in development. A new tool we are using to develop our mission work in Mexico is the formation of a council of CP churches and leaders. A council is similar to a presbytery in how its members work together, but it does not have the authority of a presbytery. It does provide CP churches the opportunity to work together to develop programs and activities. The council in Mexico has been formed with 7 churches and missions and with a good group of pastors and lay lead-ers. These churches and missions meet twice a year to plan joint activities and events that will be beneficial to them and help us advance the CP mission work. We are asking for $10,000 to help fund programs the council will plan. Activities they might develop would be camps, CP training workshops, special outreach events, theological training scholarships, community service projects, etc. Our vision is that presbyteries will adopt a council, rela-tionships develop and presbyteries will help build new CP presbyteries. Help us develop a future presbytery in Mexico by contributing to the Mexico CP Council Second Mile Project.
THE NEED
For additional projects please visit our website at http://ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/secondmileprojects.
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH PARTICIPANTS –PROJECT #33097
Funding to bring two representatives (from each country where we currently have CP churches) to Triennium and the Cumberland Presbyterian Youth Conference.Amount Needed: $24,000; Amount Contributed to Date: $9,834.73For more information contact: Susan Groce at [email protected], 901.276.4572.
CHILDREN’S FEST 2014 – PROJECT #33118
Two one day events for children (K-6th grade) in the CPC and CPCA full of fun and fellowship – one on June 7, 2014 at CP Children’s Home in Denton, TX and the other on July 19, 2014 at Bethel University in McKenzie, TN. Your second mile gifts will help in fund-ing two important needs – leadership training and low cost housing.Amount needed: $10,000; Amount Contributed to Date: $5,370.99For more information contact: Jodi Rush at [email protected], 615-415-9735.
Contributions for the following projects should be sent to the Missions Ministry Team, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414 indicating on the check the project number.
GUATEMALA CP COUNCIL SUPPORT – PROJECT #34390
Amount Needed: $10,000; Amount Contributed to Date: $0.00For more information contact Lynn Thomas at [email protected] or (901) 276-4572, ext. 261
PASSENGER VAN FOR CP CHILDREN’S HOME – PROJECT #34388
Amount Needed: $20,000; Amount Contributed to Date: $3,987.66For more information contact: Pam Phillips-Burk, [email protected], 901-276-4572
BETHEL UNIVERSITY PROJECT FREEDOM CURTAIN – PROJECT #34389
An original presentation by Renaissance Theater called, “Don’t Hide Behind the Curtain,” which is an initiative to raise awareness about human trafficking in the US. The group will write drama and then perform it in several venues.Amount Needed: $15,000; Amount Contributed to Date: $261.31For more information contact: Pam Phillips-Burk, [email protected], 901-276-4572
ON GOING PROJECTSNEW PROJECT
MM: The Missionary Messenger10/ SPRING 2014 SPRING 2014 ››
NEWSTEPSNEW
MISSIONS
»FINANCIAL DATA:Amount Needed from Second Mile $10,000.00
Amount Contributed to Date $ 0.00
Total Amount Needed for the Project $10,000.00
DURATION:March 2014 – December 2015
CONTRIBUTIONS :Please make check payable to the Missions Ministry Team indicating for project #34392 and mail to 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:Contact Lynn Thomas at [email protected], or (901) 276-4572, ext. 261
GIVI
NG/2014
MISSIONS MINISTRIESProject #34392Second Mile Project
“MEXICO CP COUNCIL SUPPORT”
The CP Church in Mexico is growing! We have an amaz-ing mission work in Mexico City and Juarez: missionar-ies, new churches, and churches in development. A new tool we are using to develop our mission work in Mexico is the formation of a council of CP churches and leaders. A council is similar to a presbytery in how its members work together, but it does not have the authority of a presbytery. It does provide CP churches the opportunity to work together to develop programs and activities. The council in Mexico has been formed with 7 churches and missions and with a good group of pastors and lay lead-ers. These churches and missions meet twice a year to plan joint activities and events that will be beneficial to them and help us advance the CP mission work. We are asking for $10,000 to help fund programs the council will plan. Activities they might develop would be camps, CP training workshops, special outreach events, theological training scholarships, community service projects, etc. Our vision is that presbyteries will adopt a council, rela-tionships develop and presbyteries will help build new CP presbyteries. Help us develop a future presbytery in Mexico by contributing to the Mexico CP Council Second Mile Project.
THE NEED
For additional projects please visit our website at http://ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/secondmileprojects.
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH PARTICIPANTS –PROJECT #33097
Funding to bring two representatives (from each country where we currently have CP churches) to Triennium and the Cumberland Presbyterian Youth Conference.Amount Needed: $24,000; Amount Contributed to Date: $9,834.73For more information contact: Susan Groce at [email protected], 901.276.4572.
CHILDREN’S FEST 2014 – PROJECT #33118
Two one day events for children (K-6th grade) in the CPC and CPCA full of fun and fellowship – one on June 7, 2014 at CP Children’s Home in Denton, TX and the other on July 19, 2014 at Bethel University in McKenzie, TN. Your second mile gifts will help in fund-ing two important needs – leadership training and low cost housing.Amount needed: $10,000; Amount Contributed to Date: $5,370.99For more information contact: Jodi Rush at [email protected], 615-415-9735.
Contributions for the following projects should be sent to the Missions Ministry Team, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414 indicating on the check the project number.
GUATEMALA CP COUNCIL SUPPORT – PROJECT #34390
Amount Needed: $10,000; Amount Contributed to Date: $0.00For more information contact Lynn Thomas at [email protected] or (901) 276-4572, ext. 261
PASSENGER VAN FOR CP CHILDREN’S HOME – PROJECT #34388
Amount Needed: $20,000; Amount Contributed to Date: $3,987.66For more information contact: Pam Phillips-Burk, [email protected], 901-276-4572
BETHEL UNIVERSITY PROJECT FREEDOM CURTAIN – PROJECT #34389
An original presentation by Renaissance Theater called, “Don’t Hide Behind the Curtain,” which is an initiative to raise awareness about human trafficking in the US. The group will write drama and then perform it in several venues.Amount Needed: $15,000; Amount Contributed to Date: $261.31For more information contact: Pam Phillips-Burk, [email protected], 901-276-4572
ON GOING PROJECTSNEW PROJECT
MM: The Missionary Messenger12/ SPRING 2014
I n a metropolitan city with one of the largest populations
in the world, a new Cumberland Presbyterian church plant called “Fuente de Vida” (Fountain
of Life) is located on the south side of Mexico City. Currently called “Ajusco” by local residents because of its geographical location, this new church plant will continue to become known by its designated name, “Fountain of Life”, as it provides “life” to the community.
The new mission was started on March 24, 2013 by church planter, Rev. Gabriel “Uzziel”
Gallardo Duarte, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister and one of the first to join the CP family in the mission work in Mexico. In less than one year, Rev. Gallardo reports 36 participants in the new church development. Closely working with our missionary Rev. Carlos Rivera and the CP Council of Mexico, a task force has been organized to provide direct supervision and support for the work in Ajusco. Already, the new mission has delegated responsibilities for Sunday School, youth meetings, home prayer meetings and evangelism to different leaders in their group. Rev. Gallardo has conducted a class on evangelism with this new mission and they have gone into the streets of Mexico City to share their faith. Currently they are meeting in a rented space. Please pray for the new work in Ajusco as they move toward becoming a “Fountain of Life” in Mexico City. MM
Ajusco: : by Lynn Thomas
Mexico City
11
Spotlight On Our
MissionariesIn Mexico:
The Riveras
Rev. Carlos Rivera and his wife Luz Dary are missionaries in Mexico for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. They are planting and assimilating
existing congregations into CP churches. Carlos works closely with the Council of CP Churches that was formed in Mexico. Luz Dary, also seminary trained, is working with the women in Mexico forming women’s groups.
Carlos and Luz Dary will soon be complet-ing two years of service in Mexico. They are from Colombia South America, and lifelong members of a CP church there. One of the great blessings the Riveras had when they went to the mission field was one donor agreed to financially support them for the first two years. What a blessing and what a step of faith! The donor was faithful to their word and provided the agreed upon support. The donor’s commit-ment has run out. As of April, 2014 the Riveras will not have the support they need to remain in Mexico and continue our work there. The work in Mexico is important, where six con-gregations are now part of the CP family, and a new church plant has recently started that
already has 40 participants in worship. Pastors and churches in Mexico from other denomina-tions and Christian backgrounds are asking Carlos to come and tell them about the CP Church.
We would like to encourage you to con-sider supporting Carlos and Luz Dary. As we have stated in other pages of this publication, if only 500 churches, groups, Women's Ministry Groups, etc. gave $2,000 a year to the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund we would have all we need to support great missionaries like Carlos and Luz Dary Rivera. Prayerfully consider supporting our missionaries, in par-ticular the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund so we can use it to continue God’s work in Mexico. MM
: : by Lynn Thomas
CP MEXICO Mission:
Six congregations are part of the CP family, and a new
church plant already has 40 participants in worship.
L. to R. Luz Dary, Daniel and Carlos Rivera
MM: The Missionary Messenger12/ SPRING 2014
I n a metropolitan city with one of the largest populations
in the world, a new Cumberland Presbyterian church plant called “Fuente de Vida” (Fountain
of Life) is located on the south side of Mexico City. Currently called “Ajusco” by local residents because of its geographical location, this new church plant will continue to become known by its designated name, “Fountain of Life”, as it provides “life” to the community.
The new mission was started on March 24, 2013 by church planter, Rev. Gabriel “Uzziel”
Gallardo Duarte, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister and one of the first to join the CP family in the mission work in Mexico. In less than one year, Rev. Gallardo reports 36 participants in the new church development. Closely working with our missionary Rev. Carlos Rivera and the CP Council of Mexico, a task force has been organized to provide direct supervision and support for the work in Ajusco. Already, the new mission has delegated responsibilities for Sunday School, youth meetings, home prayer meetings and evangelism to different leaders in their group. Rev. Gallardo has conducted a class on evangelism with this new mission and they have gone into the streets of Mexico City to share their faith. Currently they are meeting in a rented space. Please pray for the new work in Ajusco as they move toward becoming a “Fountain of Life” in Mexico City. MM
Ajusco: : by Lynn Thomas
Mexico City
11
Spotlight On Our
MissionariesIn Mexico:
The Riveras
Rev. Carlos Rivera and his wife Luz Dary are missionaries in Mexico for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. They are planting and assimilating
existing congregations into CP churches. Carlos works closely with the Council of CP Churches that was formed in Mexico. Luz Dary, also seminary trained, is working with the women in Mexico forming women’s groups.
Carlos and Luz Dary will soon be complet-ing two years of service in Mexico. They are from Colombia South America, and lifelong members of a CP church there. One of the great blessings the Riveras had when they went to the mission field was one donor agreed to financially support them for the first two years. What a blessing and what a step of faith! The donor was faithful to their word and provided the agreed upon support. The donor’s commit-ment has run out. As of April, 2014 the Riveras will not have the support they need to remain in Mexico and continue our work there. The work in Mexico is important, where six con-gregations are now part of the CP family, and a new church plant has recently started that
already has 40 participants in worship. Pastors and churches in Mexico from other denomina-tions and Christian backgrounds are asking Carlos to come and tell them about the CP Church.
We would like to encourage you to con-sider supporting Carlos and Luz Dary. As we have stated in other pages of this publication, if only 500 churches, groups, Women's Ministry Groups, etc. gave $2,000 a year to the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund we would have all we need to support great missionaries like Carlos and Luz Dary Rivera. Prayerfully consider supporting our missionaries, in par-ticular the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund so we can use it to continue God’s work in Mexico. MM
: : by Lynn Thomas
CP MEXICO Mission:
Six congregations are part of the CP family, and a new
church plant already has 40 participants in worship.
L. to R. Luz Dary, Daniel and Carlos Rivera
MM: The Missionary Messenger14/ SPRING 2014
I arrived to Ciudad de Guatemala, October 10, 2013 to help organize the first Cumberland
Presbyterian Guatemala Council. Missionary Anay Ortega and I met with lay lead-ers and ministers from three different congregations who had requested to be received as provisional churches. With two days of conversation, meet-ings and travel, October 12 marked the official day of the formation of the Guatemala Council and the receiving of these churches. It was not until days later, that I realized how providential the timing of this trip had been.
October 12 is celebrated in Guatemala, Central and South America as the Day of the Race. It was on October 12, 1492 that Christopher Columbus’ expedition made landfall in the Caribbean. Catholicism was first intro-duced during the Spanish Conquest during the 15th and 16th centuries. The North American missionary move-ment brought Protestantism during the 17th and 18th centuries. During this same time, exploita-tion, oppression, slavery, genocide and cultural sup-pression plagued the indigenous peoples. As I visited several
places in the city of Guatemala, I noticed that poverty and exploitation still go hand-in-hand alongside both Catholic and Protestant churches.
Today, statistics indicate that Guatemala is one of the most “Christianized” countries in Central America, yet at the same time its indigenous population: women, children and elderly are abandoned by a government known by its scan-dals of corruption and military terror. I asked God, “Why are you sending the CP Church to Guatemala? What are you trying to tell us by allowing us to organize a Council of CP churches on such a sym-bolic date?” I believe that now we have the opportunity to embody the gospel and to show Jesus’ compassion toward the most vulnerable in that society. Now we have the opportunity to encourage our Guatemalan
brothers and sisters to come into the ministry of the Word and Sacraments. Now we have the opportunity to be enriched with the cultural traditions and history of a people that have much to share. Now we have the challenge to live out what it means to be an international Church in which the dynam-ics of power are different from what they have known so far. Now we have the responsibil-ity to provide discipleship and training for new generations of children and youth who will take the gospel into the very fabric of Guatemalan society. On October 12, 2013, we were given the opportunity to come to a new place of mission in Guatemala. May God help us to come with humility and not with power, with compassion instead of pride, and with an eagerness to learn, give and love. MM
: : by Rev. Ricardo L. Franco, Elected Member of the Missions Ministry Team, Pastor, Casa de Fe Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Rev. Ricardo L. Franco & Josefina Sanchez
WINTER 2013 MM/14MM/14
CP Guatemala Mission:
New Frontiers WithChallenging
ResponsibilitiesToday, Statistics Indicate That Guatemala
Is One Of The Most “Christianized” Countries In Central America
12
MM: The Missionary Messenger14/ SPRING 2014
I arrived to Ciudad de Guatemala, October 10, 2013 to help organize the first Cumberland
Presbyterian Guatemala Council. Missionary Anay Ortega and I met with lay lead-ers and ministers from three different congregations who had requested to be received as provisional churches. With two days of conversation, meet-ings and travel, October 12 marked the official day of the formation of the Guatemala Council and the receiving of these churches. It was not until days later, that I realized how providential the timing of this trip had been.
October 12 is celebrated in Guatemala, Central and South America as the Day of the Race. It was on October 12, 1492 that Christopher Columbus’ expedition made landfall in the Caribbean. Catholicism was first intro-duced during the Spanish Conquest during the 15th and 16th centuries. The North American missionary move-ment brought Protestantism during the 17th and 18th centuries. During this same time, exploita-tion, oppression, slavery, genocide and cultural sup-pression plagued the indigenous peoples. As I visited several
places in the city of Guatemala, I noticed that poverty and exploitation still go hand-in-hand alongside both Catholic and Protestant churches.
Today, statistics indicate that Guatemala is one of the most “Christianized” countries in Central America, yet at the same time its indigenous population: women, children and elderly are abandoned by a government known by its scan-dals of corruption and military terror. I asked God, “Why are you sending the CP Church to Guatemala? What are you trying to tell us by allowing us to organize a Council of CP churches on such a sym-bolic date?” I believe that now we have the opportunity to embody the gospel and to show Jesus’ compassion toward the most vulnerable in that society. Now we have the opportunity to encourage our Guatemalan
brothers and sisters to come into the ministry of the Word and Sacraments. Now we have the opportunity to be enriched with the cultural traditions and history of a people that have much to share. Now we have the challenge to live out what it means to be an international Church in which the dynam-ics of power are different from what they have known so far. Now we have the responsibil-ity to provide discipleship and training for new generations of children and youth who will take the gospel into the very fabric of Guatemalan society. On October 12, 2013, we were given the opportunity to come to a new place of mission in Guatemala. May God help us to come with humility and not with power, with compassion instead of pride, and with an eagerness to learn, give and love. MM
: : by Rev. Ricardo L. Franco, Elected Member of the Missions Ministry Team, Pastor, Casa de Fe Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Rev. Ricardo L. Franco & Josefina Sanchez
WINTER 2013 MM/14MM/14
CP Guatemala Mission:
New Frontiers WithChallenging
ResponsibilitiesToday, Statistics Indicate That Guatemala
Is One Of The Most “Christianized” Countries In Central America
12
MM: The Missionary Messenger MM: The Missionary Messenger14/ SPRING 2014 SPRING 2014/15
3 What Does A New Church Development Look Like?
► Traditional church plant: a full time pastor is secured and employed to begin a church in a selected area.
► Bi-vocational church planter: the church planter provides part time leadership.
► Cross-culture church: developed among a multi-cultural and multi-language group within the United States.
► Assimilation: an already existing congregation that is willing to become Cumberland Presbyterian.
► Satellite church: from an existing CP congregation where members start a worship service in another geographical location. This “core group” could become an NCD.
4 Where Can A Presbytery Plant A New Church?
► General Assembly stated in the approval of Step Out that presbyterial boundaries should not be an obstacle to a new church development.
5 Keep In Mind That A New Church Development …
► Requires creativity and “out of the box” thinking.
► Requires new methods and models. It takes years to plant and organize a new church (4-7 years for traditional, 2-4 years for assimilation).
► Presbyteries get excited at the beginning but it does take patience and persistence to see an NCD to independence.
► Does not always succeed.
► Is to participate in all things presbyterial and denominational (presbytery apportionments, OUO, camps, events, etc.).
The Summer issue of the Missionary Messenger will be dedicated to a Step Out focus with articles pertaining to the “how – to’s”, resources and examples of how Cumberland Presbyterians can and are sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with others.
The Missions Ministry Team is looking for written contributions from ministers, church leaders, individuals from your congregation, Sunday School class, small group, Cumberland Presbyterian Women’s Ministries, youth groups and board of missions on related topics such as:
• Faith-sharing• Mission projects• Local evangelism efforts• Missionary support• Church growth efforts• Book reviews• Children’s ministry• Resources, websites, seminars and events you have found helpful
For the Step Out Goals visit: http://ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/assets/1612/stepoutplan.pdf
Submission guidance:By submitting your article, you agree to give Missions Ministry Team permission to use it. Deadline for submissions is 4/15/14.Words: articles should be 400 words or less.Photos: high resolution photos with a caption is encouraged.
Submissions may be made via email to [email protected] or via mail to:
Missions Ministry Team Attn: T.J. Malinoski8207 Traditional Place Cordova, TN 38016
A STORY UNTOLD IS NOT YET
A STORY!
HOW ARE YOUSTEPPING OUT?
WE REALLY WANT TO KNOW!
THE CHURCH IS CALLED
INTO BEING AND EXISTS TO REACH OUT TO
THOSE WHO HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED GOD’S
GRACE IN CHRIST. THE CHURCH ACCOMPLISHES
THIS CALL OF SPREADING THE GOSPEL OF
CHRIST ONLY THROUGH A DILIGENT DESIRE
TO EXTEND GOD’S KINGDOM IN THE LIVES OF
INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES.
STARTING NEW CHURCHES IS ONE VITAL
MEANS OF OUTREACH. CHURCH PLANTING
WAS THE METHOD OF THE APOSTLES AND IT
IS ALSO A PRIMARY RESPONSE TO THE GREAT
COMMISSION.
“Then I heard the Lord’s voice saying, ‘Who should I send, and who will go for us?”
“Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by
baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to
the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
S T E P O U T
. . . . by T.J . Malinoski . . . .
whyNEW
CHURCHES?
A denomination which aspires
to be faithful to the Great
Commission must start new
congregations.
1 How Does A Presbytery Start A New Church Development?
► Spend some time thinking strategically about the mission, the vision and the goal.
► Explore and investigate new church development opportunities.
► Share goals, ideas, short and long term plans with the presbytery’s board of missions.
► Contact the Missions Ministry Team for ideas and guidance.
2 What Financial Resources Might Be
Accessible For Church Planting?
► New Church Development (NCD) funds that the presbytery already has budgeted or allocated.
► A subsidy grant from the Missions Ministry Team to assist.
► Unused property that can be sold.
► New offerings promoted in the presbytery for NCD.
STEP OUT : : EVANGELISM✯ S
TEP OUT Called
to tell ✯ Sent t
o sh
are
MM: The Missionary Messenger MM: The Missionary Messenger14/ SPRING 2014 SPRING 2014/15
3 What Does A New Church Development Look Like?
► Traditional church plant: a full time pastor is secured and employed to begin a church in a selected area.
► Bi-vocational church planter: the church planter provides part time leadership.
► Cross-culture church: developed among a multi-cultural and multi-language group within the United States.
► Assimilation: an already existing congregation that is willing to become Cumberland Presbyterian.
► Satellite church: from an existing CP congregation where members start a worship service in another geographical location. This “core group” could become an NCD.
4 Where Can A Presbytery Plant A New Church?
► General Assembly stated in the approval of Step Out that presbyterial boundaries should not be an obstacle to a new church development.
5 Keep In Mind That A New Church Development …
► Requires creativity and “out of the box” thinking.
► Requires new methods and models. It takes years to plant and organize a new church (4-7 years for traditional, 2-4 years for assimilation).
► Presbyteries get excited at the beginning but it does take patience and persistence to see an NCD to independence.
► Does not always succeed.
► Is to participate in all things presbyterial and denominational (presbytery apportionments, OUO, camps, events, etc.).
The Summer issue of the Missionary Messenger will be dedicated to a Step Out focus with articles pertaining to the “how – to’s”, resources and examples of how Cumberland Presbyterians can and are sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with others.
The Missions Ministry Team is looking for written contributions from ministers, church leaders, individuals from your congregation, Sunday School class, small group, Cumberland Presbyterian Women’s Ministries, youth groups and board of missions on related topics such as:
• Faith-sharing• Mission projects• Local evangelism efforts• Missionary support• Church growth efforts• Book reviews• Children’s ministry• Resources, websites, seminars and events you have found helpful
For the Step Out Goals visit: http://ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/assets/1612/stepoutplan.pdf
Submission guidance:By submitting your article, you agree to give Missions Ministry Team permission to use it. Deadline for submissions is 4/15/14.Words: articles should be 400 words or less.Photos: high resolution photos with a caption is encouraged.
Submissions may be made via email to [email protected] or via mail to:
Missions Ministry Team Attn: T.J. Malinoski8207 Traditional Place Cordova, TN 38016
A STORY UNTOLD IS NOT YET
A STORY!
HOW ARE YOUSTEPPING OUT?
WE REALLY WANT TO KNOW!
THE CHURCH IS CALLED
INTO BEING AND EXISTS TO REACH OUT TO
THOSE WHO HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED GOD’S
GRACE IN CHRIST. THE CHURCH ACCOMPLISHES
THIS CALL OF SPREADING THE GOSPEL OF
CHRIST ONLY THROUGH A DILIGENT DESIRE
TO EXTEND GOD’S KINGDOM IN THE LIVES OF
INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES.
STARTING NEW CHURCHES IS ONE VITAL
MEANS OF OUTREACH. CHURCH PLANTING
WAS THE METHOD OF THE APOSTLES AND IT
IS ALSO A PRIMARY RESPONSE TO THE GREAT
COMMISSION.
“Then I heard the Lord’s voice saying, ‘Who should I send, and who will go for us?”
“Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by
baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to
the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
S T E P O U T
. . . . by T.J . Malinoski . . . .
whyNEW
CHURCHES?
A denomination which aspires
to be faithful to the Great
Commission must start new
congregations.
1 How Does A Presbytery Start A New Church Development?
► Spend some time thinking strategically about the mission, the vision and the goal.
► Explore and investigate new church development opportunities.
► Share goals, ideas, short and long term plans with the presbytery’s board of missions.
► Contact the Missions Ministry Team for ideas and guidance.
2 What Financial Resources Might Be
Accessible For Church Planting?
► New Church Development (NCD) funds that the presbytery already has budgeted or allocated.
► A subsidy grant from the Missions Ministry Team to assist.
► Unused property that can be sold.
► New offerings promoted in the presbytery for NCD.
STEP OUT : : EVANGELISM✯ S
TEP OUT C
alled to tell ✯ Sent t
o sh
are
MM: The Missionary Messenger16/ SPRING 2014 SPRING 2014/17
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WE WILL
CELEBRATE THIS HISTORIC EVENT IN A
VARIETY OF WAYS. AT CONVENTION
THIS YEAR WE WILL HEAR REV.
WOOSLEY’S STORY, ALONGSIDE THAT OF
A WOMAN WHO WAS IN ATTENDANCE
AT ONE OF HER REVIVAL SERVICES.
T here will also be a time of worship and celebration at
General Assembly, as well as the introduc-tion of a new endow-ment – The Louisa M. Woosley Endowment for Sustaining Women in Ministry.
OTHER CELEBRATORY NOTES INCLUDE:
• Publicationofabookofsermonsbyfemaleclergy,
• WomeninMinistrydisplayatGeneralAssembly,
• Apre-GeneralAssemblyworkshop,
• An“ILoveLouisaWoosley”Facebookpage,
• Discountonbookswrit tenbyclergywom-enbytheCPResourceCenter,
• Informationalandinspirationalvideo,
• Acommissionedsong,
• AworshipserviceonNovember5,2014atMemphisTheologicalSeminary.
CELEBRATINGLOUISA WOOSLEY’S 125TH ORDINATION
ANNIVERSARY IN
2014!by Pam Phillips-Burk
ANNIVERSARY
Bob Watkins, former missionary and Director of Global Missions, has published a book, “God’s Mighty Acts Around the Globe--Using Stories to Share Your Faith.” It is a collection of 40 inspirational stories from around the world. The stories are excel-lent for sermon illustrations, minute for mis-sions, or a daily devotional. It would make an excellent gift for your pastor. Or, pastors might want to gift their elders the book to increase a deeper commitment to missions. Please jump on board and support this Cumberland Presbyterian author. The stories can be ordered for $12 at: www.createspace.com/4425978.
Or, if you order 5 copies at $12, plus $2 per book for shipping directly from Bob Watkins ([email protected]) you will receive the sixth book free.
& Carlitos is now able to visit a nearby doctor for his annual visits and vaccinations. Maria’s diabetes is now completely under control because of the community medi-cal clinic. Because of your gift to the 2013 Loaves and Fishes offering Jaime is better managing his blood pressure. Thank you for your help in making all this happen! Giving to this year’s offering is currently $47,670.22.
Thanks to your generous giving to the 2013 Gift to the King offering the Samaki CP Church will be worshipping in their own church building and not in a rented facility. Soon children and adults will be making use of a new sanctuary, classroom space, and other features that we in the USA often take for granted. Soon, the new Samaki CP Church will be a beacon of light, shining Christ’s love in a community much in need of light and hope.
Giving to this year’s offering is currently $55,861.25.
You can still send your offerings to the Denominational Center. Make your check payable to “Missions Ministry Team” and mail to 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016.
For Loaves & Fishes, please use the L&F form found on the website at:http://ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/assets/1612/report_form.pdf.
For Gift to the King offerings please indicate that your gift is for GTTK on the memo line.
"STEP OUT"GENERAL ASSEMBLY
WORKSHOPSIf your travel plans include atten-
dance at General Assembly or Convention this June, come early enough to participate in
the pre-Assembly workshop offer-ings! Two missions staff members will be leading or participating in a workshop. T.J. Malinoski,
Director of Evangelism and New Church Development, will be
leading a workshop on church hospitality. Johan Daza, Director of Cross-Culture Ministries USA,
will be providing leadership and support to the Theology
and Social Concerns Committee in a workshop focusing on cul-tural sensitivity. Both workshops will certainly give you food for thought, and maybe even chal-
lenge you a bit.
NEW DEVOTIONAL BOOK
THANK YOU FROM
GUATEMALACAMBODIA!
heads
UP
: : b y P a m P h i l l i p s - B u r k
NEWDEVOTIONAL BOOK
by Dr Robert B. Watkins
GAWORKSHOPSHow To Step Out
125TH
ANNIVERSARYLouisa Woosley
GUATEMALAAND CAMBODIA
Thank You
GOD'S MIGHTY ACTS AROUND THE GLOBE- USING STORIES TO SHARE YOUR FAITH -
by Dr Robert B. Watkins
MM: The Missionary Messenger16/ SPRING 2014 SPRING 2014/17
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WE WILL
CELEBRATE THIS HISTORIC EVENT IN A
VARIETY OF WAYS. AT CONVENTION
THIS YEAR WE WILL HEAR REV.
WOOSLEY’S STORY, ALONGSIDE THAT OF
A WOMAN WHO WAS IN ATTENDANCE
AT ONE OF HER REVIVAL SERVICES.
T here will also be a time of worship and celebration at
General Assembly, as well as the introduc-tion of a new endow-ment – The Louisa M. Woosley Endowment for Sustaining Women in Ministry.
OTHER CELEBRATORY NOTES INCLUDE:
• Publicationofabookofsermonsbyfemaleclergy,
• WomeninMinistrydisplayatGeneralAssembly,
• Apre-GeneralAssemblyworkshop,
• An“ILoveLouisaWoosley”Facebookpage,
• Discountonbookswrit tenbyclergywom-enbytheCPResourceCenter,
• Informationalandinspirationalvideo,
• Acommissionedsong,
• AworshipserviceonNovember5,2014atMemphisTheologicalSeminary.
CELEBRATINGLOUISA WOOSLEY’S 125TH ORDINATION
ANNIVERSARY IN
2014!by Pam Phillips-Burk
ANNIVERSARY
Bob Watkins, former missionary and Director of Global Missions, has published a book, “God’s Mighty Acts Around the Globe--Using Stories to Share Your Faith.” It is a collection of 40 inspirational stories from around the world. The stories are excel-lent for sermon illustrations, minute for mis-sions, or a daily devotional. It would make an excellent gift for your pastor. Or, pastors might want to gift their elders the book to increase a deeper commitment to missions. Please jump on board and support this Cumberland Presbyterian author. The stories can be ordered for $12 at: www.createspace.com/4425978.
Or, if you order 5 copies at $12, plus $2 per book for shipping directly from Bob Watkins ([email protected]) you will receive the sixth book free.
& Carlitos is now able to visit a nearby doctor for his annual visits and vaccinations. Maria’s diabetes is now completely under control because of the community medi-cal clinic. Because of your gift to the 2013 Loaves and Fishes offering Jaime is better managing his blood pressure. Thank you for your help in making all this happen! Giving to this year’s offering is currently $47,670.22.
Thanks to your generous giving to the 2013 Gift to the King offering the Samaki CP Church will be worshipping in their own church building and not in a rented facility. Soon children and adults will be making use of a new sanctuary, classroom space, and other features that we in the USA often take for granted. Soon, the new Samaki CP Church will be a beacon of light, shining Christ’s love in a community much in need of light and hope.
Giving to this year’s offering is currently $55,861.25.
You can still send your offerings to the Denominational Center. Make your check payable to “Missions Ministry Team” and mail to 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016.
For Loaves & Fishes, please use the L&F form found on the website at:http://ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/assets/1612/report_form.pdf.
For Gift to the King offerings please indicate that your gift is for GTTK on the memo line.
"STEP OUT"GENERAL ASSEMBLY
WORKSHOPSIf your travel plans include atten-
dance at General Assembly or Convention this June, come early enough to participate in
the pre-Assembly workshop offer-ings! Two missions staff members will be leading or participating in a workshop. T.J. Malinoski,
Director of Evangelism and New Church Development, will be
leading a workshop on church hospitality. Johan Daza, Director of Cross-Culture Ministries USA,
will be providing leadership and support to the Theology
and Social Concerns Committee in a workshop focusing on cul-tural sensitivity. Both workshops will certainly give you food for thought, and maybe even chal-
lenge you a bit.
NEW DEVOTIONAL BOOK
THANK YOU FROM
GUATEMALACAMBODIA!
heads
UP
: : b y P a m P h i l l i p s - B u r k
NEWDEVOTIONAL BOOK
by Dr Robert B. Watkins
GAWORKSHOPSHow To Step Out
125TH
ANNIVERSARYLouisa Woosley
GUATEMALAAND CAMBODIA
Thank You
GOD'S MIGHTY ACTS AROUND THE GLOBE- USING STORIES TO SHARE YOUR FAITH -
by Dr Robert B. Watkins
MM: The Missionary Messenger18/ SPRING 2014
Name: ____________________________________________________________________________
Address :_________________________________________________City: _____________________
State: __________ Zip Code: __________
Telephone Number: _________________________Cell Number: _____________________________
Email Address: _____________________________________________________________________
Congregation: _____________________________________Region: _________________________
Credentials Information: Additional credential information will be taken at Convention.
_____ Regional Delegate _____ Youth Delegate
_____ This is my first time at Convention
_____ Yes, I would like to participate in a Convention Choir
Fees & Meals: Please indicate the number of tickets or fees you are paying in the blank in the left column; calculate
the total cost in the right column.
_____ Registration - $30 $_____ (before May 1)
_____ Late Registration - $45 $_____ (after May 1)
_____ Regional Delegate Dinner - $ 17 $_____ (REGIONAL DELEGATES ONLY)
(The Evening Meeting will be Monday, June 16)
_____ Luncheon - $20 $_____ (Thursday at 12:00 NOON – note time change)
_____ If you attend one day only - $15 $_____
Total $__________
Make checks payable to the Missions Ministry Team.A packet of information will be sent to those who register by June 1st.
If you have questions please contact Sherry Poteet 903.855.7337; [email protected].
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING YOUR OWN HOTEL RESERVATIONS:
Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel, 423.266.50001400 Market St., Chattanooga, TN 37402
Ask for “Cumberland Presbyterian Church” rate when making reservations by phone.Use group code “CUP” to reserve your room online at: www.choochoo.com.
Room Rate: $109 plus tax
• Cut off date for reservations at this rate: 24 May 2014• Make your reservations EARLY as the hotel fills up quickly• Check-In: 3:00 p.m.• Check-Out: 12:00 Noon
2014 CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN’S MINISTRY CONVENTION
”Step Out”17-19 June 2014 – Chattanooga, TN
Return your completed registration form and a check payable to Missions Ministry Team to Convention Registration, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016. If you register after 1 May the Late Registration fee (an additional $15) applies.
CP Women's Ministry : : ConventionCP
SOLES4SOULSWe will be collecting new and gently used shoes during Convention, which will be donated to Soles4Souls. This non-profit organization then redistributes the shoes around the world. Check out their web-site – www.soles4souls.org.
Women’s Ministry Convention2014June 17-19; Chattanooga, TN
OUR TIME IN CHATTANOOGA WILL BE FILLED WITH A VARIETY OF
ACTIVITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES.
WOMEN FROM THE CUMBERLAND
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
Our two denominations will be meeting concurrently and we will take every opportu-nity available to join together in worship, fellowship and conversation. Specifically, we will meet jointly as women on Tuesday afternoon.
SET THEM FREEThe Focus will be on farm labor exploitation and our keynote speakers will be representatives from Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW). They will help us explore the complex issues surrounding farm workers in the USA and how people of faith can share the love of Jesus in the midst of those issues. There will also be an “action” opportunity for Convention participants to “Step Out” on behalf of farm workers. CIW has been instru-mental in getting several food retailers to participate in the “Fair Food Agreement” which is working to end abuse in the fields. Those companies include
CELEBRATING 125 YEARS OF ORDAINED MINISTRY!There will be a special worship service and time of fellowship on Wednesday evening to celebrate Reverend Louisa Woosley’s 125
Burger King, McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Subway, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Sodexo, and Aramark. There is an effort to bring Publix Supermarkets and Wendy’s “to the table” to sign the same fair food agree-ment. Wednesday afternoon we will “Step Out” and lend the CP Women’s Ministry voice to those of countless other people of faith calling on Publix and Wendy’s to do the right thing.
years of ordained ministry. She was the first woman in the CP Church ordained as a minister of the Word and Sacrament. In addition, there will be a one-of-a-kind Woosley presentation by Joann Alexander (Jackson, TN) and Sissie Shepherd (Huntsville, AL) at the Convention lun-cheon.
Take Note & Plan To Be There!
CP Women's Ministry : : Convention
MM: The Missionary Messenger18/ SPRING 2014
Name: ____________________________________________________________________________
Address :_________________________________________________City: _____________________
State: __________ Zip Code: __________
Telephone Number: _________________________Cell Number: _____________________________
Email Address: _____________________________________________________________________
Congregation: _____________________________________Region: _________________________
Credentials Information: Additional credential information will be taken at Convention.
_____ Regional Delegate _____ Youth Delegate
_____ This is my first time at Convention
_____ Yes, I would like to participate in a Convention Choir
Fees & Meals: Please indicate the number of tickets or fees you are paying in the blank in the left column; calculate
the total cost in the right column.
_____ Registration - $30 $_____ (before May 1)
_____ Late Registration - $45 $_____ (after May 1)
_____ Regional Delegate Dinner - $ 17 $_____ (REGIONAL DELEGATES ONLY)
(The Evening Meeting will be Monday, June 16)
_____ Luncheon - $20 $_____ (Thursday at 12:00 NOON – note time change)
_____ If you attend one day only - $15 $_____
Total $__________
Make checks payable to the Missions Ministry Team.A packet of information will be sent to those who register by June 1st.
If you have questions please contact Sherry Poteet 903.855.7337; [email protected].
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING YOUR OWN HOTEL RESERVATIONS:
Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel, 423.266.50001400 Market St., Chattanooga, TN 37402
Ask for “Cumberland Presbyterian Church” rate when making reservations by phone.Use group code “CUP” to reserve your room online at: www.choochoo.com.
Room Rate: $109 plus tax
• Cut off date for reservations at this rate: 24 May 2014• Make your reservations EARLY as the hotel fills up quickly• Check-In: 3:00 p.m.• Check-Out: 12:00 Noon
2014 CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN’S MINISTRY CONVENTION
”Step Out”17-19 June 2014 – Chattanooga, TN
Return your completed registration form and a check payable to Missions Ministry Team to Convention Registration, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016. If you register after 1 May the Late Registration fee (an additional $15) applies.
CP Women's Ministry : : ConventionCP
SOLES4SOULSWe will be collecting new and gently used shoes during Convention, which will be donated to Soles4Souls. This non-profit organization then redistributes the shoes around the world. Check out their web-site – www.soles4souls.org.
Women’s Ministry Convention2014June 17-19; Chattanooga, TN
OUR TIME IN CHATTANOOGA WILL BE FILLED WITH A VARIETY OF
ACTIVITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES.
WOMEN FROM THE CUMBERLAND
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
Our two denominations will be meeting concurrently and we will take every opportu-nity available to join together in worship, fellowship and conversation. Specifically, we will meet jointly as women on Tuesday afternoon.
SET THEM FREEThe Focus will be on farm labor exploitation and our keynote speakers will be representatives from Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW). They will help us explore the complex issues surrounding farm workers in the USA and how people of faith can share the love of Jesus in the midst of those issues. There will also be an “action” opportunity for Convention participants to “Step Out” on behalf of farm workers. CIW has been instru-mental in getting several food retailers to participate in the “Fair Food Agreement” which is working to end abuse in the fields. Those companies include
CELEBRATING 125 YEARS OF ORDAINED MINISTRY!There will be a special worship service and time of fellowship on Wednesday evening to celebrate Reverend Louisa Woosley’s 125
Burger King, McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Subway, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Sodexo, and Aramark. There is an effort to bring Publix Supermarkets and Wendy’s “to the table” to sign the same fair food agree-ment. Wednesday afternoon we will “Step Out” and lend the CP Women’s Ministry voice to those of countless other people of faith calling on Publix and Wendy’s to do the right thing.
years of ordained ministry. She was the first woman in the CP Church ordained as a minister of the Word and Sacrament. In addition, there will be a one-of-a-kind Woosley presentation by Joann Alexander (Jackson, TN) and Sissie Shepherd (Huntsville, AL) at the Convention lun-cheon.
Take Note & Plan To Be There!
CP Women's Ministry : : Convention
MM: The Missionary Messenger20/ SPRING 2014
connectedby Johan Daza
(1 Corinthians 12:12-21)
ne of the greatest things about God that still amazes me over and over again is the diversity and differences among or within Christ's Church throughout history. Today, people from North, South, East, and West have become one through the real presence of the Holy Spirit in the USA and around the world. As Christians, we love to talk about all the things we have in common, however, we don’t talk very often about our differences as something positive. When we bring the cross-cultural component to our Cumberland Presbyterian identity, we speak about many differences, challenges, and difficulties but everyone still belongs to the same CP family.
arlier this year I went to Colombia, SA as a member of a young adult mission trip group. We planned our trip for months, designing a conference for the young adults from Colombia. The theme for this conference was “Conectados” (Connected). The experience of having young adults from Colombia and the USA gathered together in the same place and worshiping the same God, gave us a new perspective of the meaning of being a family. We learned that belonging to a family requires sacrifice, acceptance, love, and endurance. In the same way, to be a Cumberland Presbyterian connected to different cultures requires the guidance of the Holy Spirit who encourages us to love, accept, and to be united with the other members of the body of Christ.
ne scripture in particular comes to mind that highlights our connectedness in the midst of differences. 1 Corinthians 12 uses symbolic language to demonstrate both the complexity and the beauty of the body of Christ. For example, eyes match with our nose, and with the rest of our members and senses. While
members of the body may look completely different from the others, and perform different functions, they are still members of the same body; interconnected because the body needs all of them to function properly.
oday, God is giving us the great opportunity to appreciate the cultural differences within our denomination as something positive. People with different cultural backgrounds, different worship styles, different languages, different educational experiences, different ways to see the world, but we are united by the same Christ through the presence of the Holy Spirit. God is giving us the opportunity to stop judging each other through stereotypes, nationality, gender, and skin color. God is telling us today, “you belong to my body, you are my members, my instruments, and I want you to be and to do what I want you to be and do.”
oving those who are like us is easy, and if they do everything the same way we do it is even easier, but loving those who think differently, who serve in a different way, who are culturally different, who worship God in a different way, who preach in a different way is extremely difficult without prejudice.
herefore, we need to open our hearts and minds, and ask God for wisdom to work together and appreciate each other for what we are in Christ as Cumberland Presbyterians today. Differences are not ways to alienate, separate, or divide. Differences are opportunities to love each other and to recognize that we cannot be without others. We cannot be a Cumberland Presbyterian without my other cross-culture brothers and sisters in the USA and around the world, and we cannot be a Christian without being different from others. MM
O
E
O
T
L
T
O
Bible Study : : Devotional
L
FA
K
Mexico6 churches220 active CPs5 pastors2 candidates2 missionaries - Carlos and Luz
Dary Rivera
GuateMala3 churches130 active CPs2 medical clinics3 missionaries - Anay Ortega, Fhanor and Socorro Pejendino
coloMbia2 presbyteries3 schools2 camps1 senior citizen’s home30 churches4,731 active CPs
38 pastors25 candidates &
licentiates2 missionaries
Boyce and Beth Wallace
* Missionaries that have an initial work in closed countries and for security rea-sons we do publish their names. Much of the data on this map is from the 2013 GA Yearbook. Non-denominational organizations that have CP mission-aries that are not listed by the above missionary are: Frontiers Missions, New Systems Inter-national and Campus Crusade. In some countries missions and churches are listed as “churches”, in the case of Co-lombia missions and preaching points are not numbered as part of the “church” number.
Cumberland Presbyterian Missions Around
the World
Japan
LaOS
S. KOREa
HOnG KOnG
KYRGYSTan
CaMBODIa
BRaZIL
COLOMBIa
UnITED STaTES
GUaTEMaLa
MEXICO
UGanDa
nORTH aFRICa
MYanMaRnEpaL
CHIna
brazil2 churches 60 active CPs2 missionaries from Japan Presbytery - Keishi Ishitsuka and Atsushi Miyajima
North africa via fraNce2 missionaries - S & M S
uGaNda2 missionaries - Kenneth and Delight Hopson working with World Global Missions
KyrGyzstaN1 missionary - T & T G -working with a non-denominational mission
Nepal1 missionary - P T - working with a non- denominational mission
MyaNMar1 missionary - M & H W - working with a non- denominational mission
chiNa3 missionaries - S & L T, N B - working with non- denominational missions
laos1 church1 school40 active CPs2 missionaries - D & S L
caMbodia1 church160 active CPs2 missionaries - D & S L
philippiNes3 churches140 active CPs10 candidates & licentiates2 missionaries - Daniel and Kay Jang
hoNG KoNG1 presbytery10 CP churches3 schools8 ordained ministers22 candidates & licentiates 1,308 active CPs3 missionaries - Glenn Watts / Lawrence & Loretta Fung working with Global Operations International
south Korea4 churches110 active CPs4 pastors1 licentiate
JapaN1 presbytery13 churches1 day care school1 camp18 ordained ministers1,246 active CPs2 licentiates
poster 1-country names.indd 2-3 3/20/14 8:14 PM
MM: The Missionary Messenger20/ SPRING 2014
connectedby Johan Daza
(1 Corinthians 12:12-21)
ne of the greatest things about God that still amazes me over and over again is the diversity and differences among or within Christ's Church throughout history. Today, people from North, South, East, and West have become one through the real presence of the Holy Spirit in the USA and around the world. As Christians, we love to talk about all the things we have in common, however, we don’t talk very often about our differences as something positive. When we bring the cross-cultural component to our Cumberland Presbyterian identity, we speak about many differences, challenges, and difficulties but everyone still belongs to the same CP family.
arlier this year I went to Colombia, SA as a member of a young adult mission trip group. We planned our trip for months, designing a conference for the young adults from Colombia. The theme for this conference was “Conectados” (Connected). The experience of having young adults from Colombia and the USA gathered together in the same place and worshiping the same God, gave us a new perspective of the meaning of being a family. We learned that belonging to a family requires sacrifice, acceptance, love, and endurance. In the same way, to be a Cumberland Presbyterian connected to different cultures requires the guidance of the Holy Spirit who encourages us to love, accept, and to be united with the other members of the body of Christ.
ne scripture in particular comes to mind that highlights our connectedness in the midst of differences. 1 Corinthians 12 uses symbolic language to demonstrate both the complexity and the beauty of the body of Christ. For example, eyes match with our nose, and with the rest of our members and senses. While
members of the body may look completely different from the others, and perform different functions, they are still members of the same body; interconnected because the body needs all of them to function properly.
oday, God is giving us the great opportunity to appreciate the cultural differences within our denomination as something positive. People with different cultural backgrounds, different worship styles, different languages, different educational experiences, different ways to see the world, but we are united by the same Christ through the presence of the Holy Spirit. God is giving us the opportunity to stop judging each other through stereotypes, nationality, gender, and skin color. God is telling us today, “you belong to my body, you are my members, my instruments, and I want you to be and to do what I want you to be and do.”
oving those who are like us is easy, and if they do everything the same way we do it is even easier, but loving those who think differently, who serve in a different way, who are culturally different, who worship God in a different way, who preach in a different way is extremely difficult without prejudice.
herefore, we need to open our hearts and minds, and ask God for wisdom to work together and appreciate each other for what we are in Christ as Cumberland Presbyterians today. Differences are not ways to alienate, separate, or divide. Differences are opportunities to love each other and to recognize that we cannot be without others. We cannot be a Cumberland Presbyterian without my other cross-culture brothers and sisters in the USA and around the world, and we cannot be a Christian without being different from others. MM
O
E
O
T
L
T
O
Bible Study : : Devotional
L
FA
K
Mexico6 churches220 active CPs5 pastors2 candidates2 missionaries - Carlos and Luz
Dary Rivera
GuateMala3 churches130 active CPs2 medical clinics3 missionaries - Anay Ortega, Fhanor and Socorro Pejendino
coloMbia2 presbyteries3 schools2 camps1 senior citizen’s home30 churches4,731 active CPs
38 pastors25 candidates &
licentiates2 missionaries
Boyce and Beth Wallace
* Missionaries that have an initial work in closed countries and for security rea-sons we do publish their names. Much of the data on this map is from the 2013 GA Yearbook. Non-denominational organizations that have CP mission-aries that are not listed by the above missionary are: Frontiers Missions, New Systems Inter-national and Campus Crusade. In some countries missions and churches are listed as “churches”, in the case of Co-lombia missions and preaching points are not numbered as part of the “church” number.
Cumberland Presbyterian Missions Around
the World
Japan
LaOS
S. KOREa
HOnG KOnG
KYRGYSTan
CaMBODIa
BRaZIL
COLOMBIa
UnITED STaTES
GUaTEMaLa
MEXICO
UGanDa
nORTH aFRICa
MYanMaRnEpaL
CHIna
brazil2 churches 60 active CPs2 missionaries from Japan Presbytery - Keishi Ishitsuka and Atsushi Miyajima
North africa via fraNce2 missionaries - S & M S
uGaNda2 missionaries - Kenneth and Delight Hopson working with World Global Missions
KyrGyzstaN1 missionary - T & T G -working with a non-denominational mission
Nepal1 missionary - P T - working with a non- denominational mission
MyaNMar1 missionary - M & H W - working with a non- denominational mission
chiNa3 missionaries - S & L T, N B - working with non- denominational missions
laos1 church1 school40 active CPs2 missionaries - D & S L
caMbodia1 church160 active CPs2 missionaries - D & S L
philippiNes3 churches140 active CPs10 candidates & licentiates2 missionaries - Daniel and Kay Jang
hoNG KoNG1 presbytery10 CP churches3 schools8 ordained ministers22 candidates & licentiates 1,308 active CPs3 missionaries - Glenn Watts / Lawrence & Loretta Fung working with Global Operations International
south Korea4 churches110 active CPs4 pastors1 licentiate
JapaN1 presbytery13 churches1 day care school1 camp18 ordained ministers1,246 active CPs2 licentiates
poster 1-country names.indd 2-3 3/20/14 8:14 PM
NEW MISSIONS GIFT CATALOG
POLICY: THE MISSIONARY MESSENGER is published for the Cumberland Pres by te ri an Church by the Missions Ministry Team. Opinions expressed by the individual writers are
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ADDRESS CHANGE: send new address and label from a recent newspaper to the Circulation Secretary at the address below.
THE MISSIONARY MESSENGER (ISSN 08868344), (Publication permit number: PE14376) is published quarterly by the Missions Ministry Team of the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414. Periodicals postage paid at Memphis, Tenn. The magazine is sent free of charge to each household in the denomination.
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