The Presbytery of St. Andrew
Mississippi
 Bethel Presbyterian Church in Olive Branch is a revitalization and transformation project of the Presbytery of St. Andrew.
The 6,416 Presbyterians in northern Mississippi continue to spread the good news of Jesus Christ through the ministries of 66 congregations and through ministries and programs of the Presbytery of St. Andrew.
In 2008, the presbytery identified Bethel Presbyterian Church in Olive Branch as a revitalization and transformation project. Organized in 1850 as a Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Bethel has a fascinating history and a unique witness as a multiracial congregation in a part of the country where that is rare, and is in a community that is becoming a thriving south Memphis suburb.
Over the next five years, the presbytery, in partnership with other PC(USA) governing bodies, will invest significant time and resources into transforming this small, rural congregation into a beacon of light for the reconciling work of Jesus Christ, promoting racial equality and proclaiming the good news of salvation to all. Pray for this endeavor and look for stories in future Mission Yearbooks about those whose lives have been transformed through this mission.
The presbytery is establishing a mission partnership with the Presbytery of the State of Campeche in Mexico. In a demonstration that technology can help overcome barriers of both distance and language, the Rev. Greg Goodwiller of St. Andrew and the Rev. Aaron Escamilla Gonzalez now communicate regularly over an instant messenging service, even though neither minister speaks the other’s language! As both are working to learn more of each other’s language, they look forward to communicating directly.
Presbytery Staff
Gregory A. Goodwiller, executive presbyter, stated clerk, and treasurer
Ann Houston Kelly, associate executive for camps and conferences, Hopewell Camp and Conference Center
Kim Renfroe, financial administrator
R. Milton Winter, historian and resource center director
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Rev. Jill Hudson, OGA
Kathleen Humes, BOP
Rev. Rhashell Hunter, GAMC
Almighty God, in a world that is divided and seems filled with hatred and violence, we especially give you thanks today for opportunities you give us to build better relationships, do justice, and be witnesses to the reconciling love we have known through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Bless all of our efforts to be his faithful disciples, to your glory. Amen.
Ps. 57, 145 Ps. 85, 47
Deut. 11:13–19
2 Cor. 5:11–6:2; Luke 17:1–10
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