July 15, 2008

To Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In a letter to you on June 28, we began to tell the story of our 218th General Assembly. Our goal was to provide you a timely summary and perspective on issues that we sensed would draw the greatest immediate attention. In that first letter, we outlined the assembly’s actions and our church’s next steps in a continuing story, the outcome of which is known only to God. Most importantly, we infused our letter with our strong and abiding hope for the future ministry and witness of our Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), because we are a Good News people. Keep reading this letter.

General Assembly Council 'At-A-Glance'

Ministry and Mission
The largest of the six agencies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the General Assembly Council (GAC) is the ministry and mission arm of the PC(USA), offering the world a visible witness to Jesus Christ on behalf of:

• 2.2 million members across
• 10,960 churches in
• 173 presbyteries and
• 16 synods.

With mission personnel serving in nearly 70 countries around the world and over 400 staff, most based in Louisville, Kentucky, the General Assembly Council leads and coordinates the mission program of the General Assembly — the church’s highest governing body — and is responsible for implementing the programs and policies it authorizes.

Learn more — download The General Assembly Council “At-A-Glance.”

Read the 2007 Annual Report

The mission and ministry of the General Assembly Council comes alive in a new comprehensive report for 2007. Describing the outcomes of activities designed to meet the objectives of the Mission Work Plan, the report presents highlights of the GAC's ministry areas, communications and funds development, shared services and policy development and enhancement. Download the 2007 Annual Report of the General Assembly Council, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Together in Ministry and Mission

This 24-minute program  illustrates the mission and ministry of the GAC. Learn about some of the exciting ministries taking place nationally and internationally as Deputy Executive Director for mission Tom Taylor shares examples of mission in Pakistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Discover some of the core beliefs of the church with Tom as he discusses what we believe as Presbyterians with Joe Small, director of Theology Worship and Education, and Charles Wiley, coordinator of Theology and Worship. Listen to Eric Hoey, director of Evangelism and Church Growth, describe what we’re doing about evangelism in the church. Finally, reflect with Tom about the need and reason for Presbyterians to stay together as a denomination, following Jesus’ commandment, “Love one another that your joy may be full.”