The Presbytery of
Inland Northwest, located amid the rugged beauty of eastern
Washington and northern Idaho, is home to 50 congregations and
9,013 members. Building on its recent history, the presbytery
has focused its efforts on three central priorities: care and
development of church leadership, church transformation and
renewal, and new church development. In the past year, ten congregations
have participated in the first round of Journey of Discovery—a
church transformation movement supported with resources and
consultant help through the Center for Parish Development, based
in Chicago. They hope and prayer for ongoing spiritual renewal
and revitalized mission.
Encouraged by a successful new church development in Colbert,
Washington, that was chartered in 1998, the presbytery launched
a new church development in the Latah Creek area of south Spokane.
In the past year, sizable steps have taken place toward securing
lay leadership and funding and finding support from surrounding
Presbyterian congregations.
Camp Spalding has moved from being an effective midsized presbytery-owned
summer camp to a growing year-round regional camp and conference
center. In the past year, Clearwater Lodge, the adult conference
center, has filled to capacity most weekends, hosting a wide
variety of programs and speakers. Even with expanded facilities
and newly donated property, the youth summer camping ministry
reports more students eager to attend than can be accommodated.
Reaching out through and beyond the traditional boundaries of
constituents, this ministry continues to thrive.
The presbytery invites prayers for its continuing inner-city
missions including Christ’s Clinic, which provides medical
care; Christ’s Kitchen, which employs low-income women;
and Liberty Park Child Development Center, which provides child
care to low-income families. Commissioned lay pastors continue
serving among the Nez Perce and in many other settings. Discernment
is requested for the presbytery’s historical partnership
with the K’ekchi people in Guatemala.
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