Consultant for Geriatric and Nursing Services, Egypt
Denise England
“I did not grow up with a personal faith experience,” Denise England, a Mission Initiative candidate explains. “I went through confirmation, marriage in the church, even the baptism of my own children but I truly had no relationship with God — I closed that door when my mother died. I was six years old.”
But God never closed the door on her. Denise admits, “Once I was willing to crack open that part of me that had been so focused on turning away from God, the floodgates opened and I have felt called to follow and serve Christ ever since.”
Her call to the mission field also involved God’s pushing the door wide open when in 2002 she unexpectedly met Victor Makari, Coordinator of the Middle East for the Worldwide Ministries division of the PC (U.S.A.). He was making a presentation on Egypt. Denise expressed a strong interest and soon found herself on a mission trip.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you and remember, I am with you always to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20
She met with representatives from the Synod of the Nile and visited mission hospitals where strong partnerships with the PC (U.S.A.) have existed for years. Conversations focused on the pressing need for specialized geriatric health care services for this burgeoning population in Egypt. And Denise, a skilled administrator, teacher and nurse immediately felt called. “It was transformational for me. I was so aware of God’s presence and so certain that this is where I am supposed to be.”
Serving in a new mission position, as Consultant for Geriatric and Nursing Services, Denise will work with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Egypt. She will help the church and its institutions increase their capacity to provide health care and nursing services for the elderly — a totally new concept in Egypt where the Presbyterian Church is serving as a pioneer in the field. She will work with the staff at the American Mission Hospital in Tanta and the Evangelical Hospital in Cairo helping them design geriatric care facilities and to help equip and staff them.
“In responding to this call to serve I think about Matthew 14,” Denise says, “when the disciples are being tossed about at sea. Peter’s example of stepping out of the boat keeps me stepping out further and further in faith, trusting in God and following Christ.”
Projected Annual Costs for Denise England
(estimated as of 12/31/06)
Salary: $26,000
Benefits: $12,000
Housing: -
Travel: $2,500
Other support needs: $4,000
Contingencies: $1,000
Total annual cost: $45,500
Total for 2-year deployment: $136,500
Denise England stands ready to serve God. But she needs your help. She needs your financial support as indicated above.
To make a pledge to Joining Hearts & Hands, a campaign to renew the Presbyterian Church for mission, call (888) 728-7228 x5611 or click on the donate button.
Download this flier to print 
Contributions can be sent by mail to:
Presbyterian Church, Individual Remittance Processing
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.
You may designate your contribution for Denise by including her name on the memo of your check along with the following identification number MI910061.
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