Kirkpatrick consoles WARC partner churches in southeast Asia

Alliance president praises ‘faithful witness’ in tsunami disaster

by Jerry L. Van Marter

LOUISVILLE — Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick, the newly elected president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC), has sent a letter of consolation to WARC churches in southeast Asia as they struggle to provide relief in the wake of the tsunami that devastated the region Dec. 26.

      Writing on behalf of both the PC(USA) and the WARC on Jan. 3, Kirkpatrick assured the region’s partner churches that both prayers and material support will continue to flow from the United States and around the world.

      The full text of Kirkpatrick’s letter:

Dear Colleagues in Ministry:

      I write to let you know that the hearts of your sisters and brothers in Christ in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are reaching out to you as you seek to minister amidst the unspeakable tragedy and tremendous suffering brought to your people through the recent earthquake and tsunami. Presbyterian churches throughout the United States lifted you up in prayers yesterday in Sunday worship.

      I also want you to know that Presbyterians are actively involved through ecumenical efforts in offering immediate relief to those who survived but lost their homes, their family members, and their livelihoods.

      Beyond the prayers of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and on behalf of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, I want to assure you of prayers of intercession for you from the entire WARC family. Our prayers for you will continue throughout the many long months and years of rebuilding that lie ahead.

      We are deeply grateful for your faithful witness to the gospel and for your deep compassion for and ministry to those who face such deep distress. As the apostle Paul wrote of the body of Christ, “If one member suffers, all suffer together with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26).

      May the suffering love of Christ be a powerful force in your own life as you seek to bring that love to those who have lost so much.

In Christ,

Clifton Kirkpatrick
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)