The PC(USA)’s
partner church in Madagascar is the Church of Jesus Christ in
Madagascar (FJKM). This church of 4,000 congregations was formed
in 1968 by the union of three churches.
As reported by the Presbyterian News Service’s Mike Ferguson,
on June 20, 2006, “in honor of their vast and varied body
of work from reforestation to the prevention of malaria and
HIV/AIDS,” Presbyterian mission co-workers to Madagascar
Dan and Elizabeth Turk received the William Gibson lifetime
achievement award from Presbyterians for Restoring Creation.
The Turks have worked as PC(USA) mission partners with the
FJKM since 1997. Elizabeth, a nurse, works with the church on
public health programs that have kept Madagascar’s AIDS
infection rate much lower than rates throughout most of southern
and central Africa. She also directs programs that distribute
malaria-preventing mosquito nets free to pregnant women and
young children.
She says that for the Madagascar church, like Presbyterians,
“sharing the Word and doing good deeds are tied together.”
Pastors speak up on HIV and AIDS at virtually every worship
service.
Dan is a forester who has helped arrange the planting of fast-growing
eucalyptus trees used for fuel. He has also educated children
about reforestation and planted fruit trees to help stabilize
farmers’ output. “The church in Madagascar,”
Mike says, “feels strongly about preserving God’s
wonderful creation.” |
