Guatemala, continued
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| Church buildings are important to Presbyterians in Guatemala. There was a time when all of “church” happened within the four walls of the sanctuary, which was a place of protection against a hostile, fearsome, and often violent world. Within the four walls the preaching and teaching were often the kind that excluded people who were different in any way from those inside. To be a good Presbyterian was defined by adherence to a list of “thou shall nots.” Hymns sang of heaven from which Jesus would return and to which believers would go. Within the four walls, God was faithful to the people, even as they shut their doors to keep out the world.
But church life is changing among Presbyterians in Guatemala. More and more the church building is being used as a place for ministry. In one church building the walls are covered with health posters and children’s drawings reflecting the participation of members of the congregation in a community preventive health program and their desire to include children in their life and work. Another church building is used during weekday afternoons for literacy classes. A church in the center of a busy city has turned part of its space into dormitory rooms so that travelers, members of other churches who cannot return to their homes, have a place to sleep; overnight meetings of presbytery and synod groups are also being hosted in this space as the congregation practices the ministry of hospitality. People are venturing beyond the safe confines of the building in response to Jesus’ call to them to be about ministry in their community and beyond. |
 PC(USA) People in Mission National Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Guatemala (IENPG): Marcia J. Towers, YAV site and delegations coordinator, Gloria Marriott, education consultant, Roger Marriott, education consultant, Rev. Ellen Dozier, facilitator for women’s work, Jeannene Wright Wiseman, team ministry, Rev. John David Wiseman, coordinator for mission delegations and partnerships • Central American Evangelical Center for Pastoral Studies (CEDEPCA): Aura Maribel Smith, educator, Dennis Smith, publications and communications training, Kristi M. Van Nostran, reconciliation and mission exchange worker, Rev. Karla Ann Koll, professor of history, mission and religions, CEDEPCA and Latin American Biblical University (UBL) • Young Adult Volunteers, community development interns, IENPG: Ashley Darnell, Erin Klein, Margaret Leonard, and William Richter PC(USA) General Assembly Staff Frances M. Cook, NMD Rev. Gary R. Cook, WMD Judith Coons, DEDO |
 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God (Ps. 31:5). |
 Ps. 31, 43, 143, 149 Ezek. 39:21–29 Phil. 4:10–20; John 17:20–26 |
