August 27, 2007

Dear Friends,

Warm greetings from Malawi!

PC(USA) funding has gone to empower women in Malawi by making loans available for small businesses.

We are the people of God—called and sent! “Called as partners in Christ’s service, called to ministries of grace.” This familiar hymn of Jane Parker Huber reminds us of our call to mission. God has called each of us and given us various gifts to fulfill God’s call to mission to give life to others. We are called to inaugurate the kingdom of the Lord’s shalom (“peace, prosperity, success, well-being, and wholeness”). Called and sent to this mission, near and far!

First class of College of Theology graduates. These men are now serving congregations.

Mission is the life of the church, flowing forth from the heart of our covenant relationship with God and one another. Those of us who serve overseas through the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s World Mission serve as partners in mission with the people of other nations. With God’s help, we give life to many through the good news of the gospel (evangelism), education, health care, development, disaster assistance, hunger relief, social justice, reconciliation, and peace. You are an essential part of this mission work. Your prayers and financial support enable us to fulfill our call as partners in mission with sisters and brothers in many nations.

A big event, “Mission Challenge ’07,” is about to unfold in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to nurture and multiply PC(USA) missionaries. In 2006, 452 mission workers served in 64 countries through PC(USA) World Mission. For this work to continue and grow there must be a multiplication of resources (as in the feeding of the 5,000) to support the work and mission of those currently in the field and the many more whom God is calling to serve.

“Mission Challenge ’07” will take place this October. Forty-seven PC(USA) missionaries will be itinerating in 143 presbyteries (80 percent of our presbyteries), speaking to people in 700 churches, telling about their work and the mission of the church. Their message will include two short videos: One features the Rev. Dr. Hunter Farrell, director of PC(USA) World Mission, and shares stories of various missionaries and the global mission of our denomination. The other appeals to Presbyterians to support PC(USA) missionaries.

In early October all 10,884 PC(USA) congregations will receive Mission Challenge ’07 materials that interpret the excellent work that is being done through the Presbyterian Church as a mission sending agency. Congregations are asked to offer prayer and financial support to Presbyterian missionaries. Materials will include a DVD of the two videos mentioned above and bulletin inserts that call people to participate in world mission through praying faithfully and giving generously.

Mission Challenge ’07 invites every congregation and every member to answer the call to mission, to celebrate and further the international mission of the church. A missionary will not be able to be present at every church but you can be with them in the Spirit of our Lord by designating a Sunday in October as Mission Challenge ’07 Sunday. View the DVD, distribute the bulletin inserts, and make a commitment to do more than you have ever done before to give life to others through PC(USA) World Mission.

PC(USA) mission work in Malawi has included funds to gives loans to women to start small businesses to support their families as well as financial support for the training of ministers. You have contributed to these ministries through your gifts to these programs and the support of my ministry. This work continues, giving shalom, God’s life, to many in Malawi.

At the University of Livingstonia, College of Theology, in Malawi our students are performing well, progressing in academic excellence, and growing in spiritual maturity. Those who visit us are inspired by their commitment and sacrifice in answering the call to mission to serve in Christ’s service as ministers of the Word and Sacrament. You are a part of their answering that call, their sending forth into ministry, through your support of the work of the college and your gifts to PC(USA) to support my position as dean and lecturer at the College of Theology.

To whom much is given much is required (Luke 12:48). Presbyterians in the United States are some of the richest Christians in the world in spiritual and material blessings. We urge you to give generously to support the whole mission of the church to share this abundant life. May the cup of blessings that God has bestowed upon you be poured out like an ever-flowing stream to give life to others through World Mission of PC(USA).

Called and sent as partners in Christ’s service in the one Spirit of our Lord!

Grace, mercy, and peace,

The 2007 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 337