In a historic land
of many dimensions, Eastminster Presbytery has been led to forge
a new kind of mission partnership with Levante Presbytery of
the Spanish Evangelical Church—one of mutual encouragement
to respond to the missional challenges in each presbytery’s
unique settings of northeast Ohio and Spain’s east-central
coast. As they send teams to one another’s presbytery
each year, they share their faith and ministry with one another,
praying that God’s Spirit might make use of their relationships
to help them look with fresh eyes and renewed energy at the
ministry and mission opportunities before them.
A recent Eastminster team to Spain that included the Rev.
David Joachim, the Rev. Elmarie Parker, and Elder Donna McCollum
shared the following description: “Around tapas and potluck
meals, we shared our faith stories with one another—how
we each have been aware of God’s work in and through our
lives, of service out of gratitude, of hope rediscovered, of
new life received. In ancient Spanish cities, we saw history
in buildings, streets, and landscape. Simultaneously, we heard
stories of how history has unfolded for Spanish, Protestant,
Presbyterian followers of Christ—stories of persecution
and persevering faith. With each passing day, we discovered
a deepening trust between us, an increasing gratitude for the
bond we share in Christ, and an increasing comfort and inspiration
in knowing that none of us faces the challenges and opportunities
of Christian living and ministry in today’s world alone.”
Eastminster Presbytery celebrates its 55 congregations with
11,578 members. |
