September 6, 2007

Dear Friends,

I’m writing to let you know about a big event and a little event. The big event that’s about to unfold in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is called Mission Challenge ’07. During October, 47 PC(USA) missionaries will spend a week sharing the stories of their ministry in 143 presbyteries. That’s more than 80 percent of our presbyteries. (I bet you already know!)

We hope to put speakers in 700 churches that month to share the news that every day, in Christ’s name—and thanks to your faithful support—lives are being saved, wells are being dug, and hope is being shared with people in need around the world.

Another part of Mission Challenge ’07 is an appeal to every church in the denomination to support Presbyterian missionaries like me. (Thanks to you who already support me or others!)

In mid-September a letter will go to the pastors and clerks of session in all 10,884 churches in our denomination. This will inform them of materials coming in early October that interpret the excellence of the Presbyterian Church as a mission-sending agency and invite them to offer financial support to Presbyterian missionaries through World Mission.

During the first week of October, a box will arrive in every church with bulletin inserts equal to the church’s average Sunday attendance. The inserts include a call to action, inviting all to participate in mission by praying faithfully and giving generously. These are accompanied by a DVD featuring our new director, Hunter Farrell. It contains two brief but compelling videos that bring to life a representative sample of our missionaries.

We can’t send a missionary to every church this October, but I’m hoping that all churches will participate in Mission Challenge ’07 by choosing a Sunday to view the DVD and distribute the bulletin inserts.
Will you support and encourage your church’s participation in Mission Challenge ’07?

The little event is that I’ll be in the United States during Mission Challenge ’07, but as an independent speaker. I’ve contacted as many of you as I could by email to let you know. I would love to meet with more folks in the Kansas City area and in Ohio and Pennsylvania. All my Sundays are booked, but I love to meet with small groups, mission committees, women’s groups, etc. My itinerary so far is this:

September - California

September 26        Pasadena, Knox Presbyterian Church?  
September 27        Santa Barbara, First Presbyterian
September 28        Garden Grove, First Presbyterian
September 29        Lake Arrowhead, Community
September 30        Covina, First Thai Presbyterian

October - Kansas City area and Ohio

October 1          travel to Kansas City
October 2         
October 3          Overland, Kansas, Knox Presbyterian
October 4
October 5         
October 6          Overland Kansas, Knox (Gen X service)
October 7          Overland Kansas, Knox
October 8          Kansas City, Second Presbyterian Church
October 9          travel to Ohio
October 10
October 11
October 12
October 13       travel to Pennsylvania
October 14       Mt Lebanon UP Church, Pennsylvania
October 15
October 16
October 17        Toledo Ohio, Collingwood Presbyterian
October 18
October 19
October 20        Wooster Ohio, Presbytery meeting
October 21        Portsmouth Ohio, First and Second

Also Rob and I have a DVD of our work that we would love to send to you for use with your mission committee or Sunday school classes or Presbyterian Women groups. Let us know if you’d like a copy.

There is life in the PC(USA)! And God is doing all kinds of good stuff in Thailand too. (Check my August letter on the Mission Connections Web site if you haven’t already seen it.) May you know God’s sweet presence, and I hope I can see you soon.

Esther Wakeman

The 2007 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 119

P.S. If you would like to receive a DVD introducing us, Payap University, CCI, and our work, please send me an email at Rob Collins and Esther Wakeman and I'll make sure you get a copy.