Global
By Don Dawson
World Mission Initiative (WMI) was initiated in 1996. It was naturally born at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (PTS) as the combined dream of Dr. Glendora Paul and Dr. Scott Sunquist. Dr. Paul envisioned a regional center for mission to invigorate the church. Dr. Sunquist foresaw the impact it would have on his students and seminary. WMI could only realize its full potential rooted in a seminary. The PTS president and board agreed. A partnership was born.
Within a year the fledgling board identified the need for a director to help shape the mission and vision. With only meager financial resources, the board began to explore means to hire a director. Some of those involved in leading the board that were also involved with the New Wilmington Missionary Conference (NWMC) saw a natural bridge between the two organizations. They approached the NWMC board about the possibility of jointly hiring a director. Another partnership was cautiously born.
This WMI/NWMC connection has grown, blossomed and borne much fruit over the years. The joining of a nearly century-old mission organization with an infant was “made in heaven.” Each was expanded and blessed by the other. Pittsburgh Seminary students involved with WMI and faculty became staff leaders and speakers at NWMC and their passion for mission was enlarged. Those attending NWMC and sensing a call to full-time vocation began enrolling at PTS and getting involved with WMI.
However, that still didn’t solve the financial dilemma. Board leaders took their vision and need to Dr. Marian McClure, who was at the time Director of the PC(USA) Worldwide Ministries Division (WMD). WMD embraced the vision of mobilizing the church for mission by raising up a new generation of seminary graduates who had a passion for God’s work in the world and were committed to lead the church to participate in that work. WMD bought into the vision with $85,000 given over five years to seed WMI until it built its own base of support. A third partnership was born.
Over the years that base of prayer and financial support did begin to build. More than thirty churches and dozens of individuals have become regular supporters of WMI. This fourth partnership provides ongoing energy for living out the vision of missionally-focused churches.
WMI works to train and equip pastors to lead their churches missionally. One of the primary means for accomplishing this is to provide cross-cultural immersion experiences for students. Often a “conversion” occurs. These experiences would not be possible without the assistance of many mission partners throughout the world. PC(USA) missionaries, sister churches and Presbyterian-related organizations are the main source of hospitality, but WMI has been blessed to discover many ecumenical partnerships as well. |
