September 13, 2007
Dear Friends,
We are writing to let you know of an important event that is about to happen in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) called Mission Challenge ’07. During the coming month of October, 48 PC(USA) missionaries will spend a week sharing their stories in 144 presbyteries throughout the denomination, over 80 percent of our presbyteries. In our 30 years of service, there has never been such a concentration of missionaries sent out to share their stories at one time throughout the denomination.
Altogether there should be speakers in around 700 churches to present the mission challenge: presenting Christ through faithful witness and concrete demonstrations of the His abounding love.
The primary purpose of Mission Challenge ’07 is to appeal to every church to support PC(USA) missionaries like us. Right about now, mid-September, pastors and clerks of session in all 10,884 of our churches will receive a letter about this event with information concerning materials available in early October to help interpret and support the mission of our church.
For instance, bulletin inserts will arrive in early October that include a call to action, faithful prayer and generous giving, along with a DVD from the new director of World Mission, Hunter Farrell, himself an experienced and faithful mission worker. You will want to see the two brief but compelling videos that provide a sample of the work of our missionaries.
Although it is not possible to put a missionary in each of the 10,884 churches of our denomination this October, I hope you will be able to participate in Mission Challenge '07 by choosing a Sunday to watch the DVD and distribute the bulletin inserts.
Our denomination is undergoing challenging changes, as are many other denominations throughout America. This is special time of need to support what I believe to be the prime directive of Christ’s people on earth: faithful, caring, bold and generous witness to our faith in Jesus Christ throughout the world. Please join us.
In Christ,
Tim and Marta Carriker
The 2007 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
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