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08449
June 13, 2008
MIJHH receives half-million dollar anonymous gift
Funds for six new overseas mission positions brings campaign total to 31
by Emily Enders Odom
Associate, Mission Communications
LOUISVILLE — Citing deep concerns for the health, education, and well-being of the world’s children, an anonymous donor has made a gift of $510,456 to the Mission Initiative: Joining Hearts & Hands (MIJHH).
The funds have been received and will ensure that six new mission co-workers will be sent to serve in positions in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Poland, Pakistan, and Costa Rica.
MIJHH is the five-year campaign of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to raise $40 million for new international mission personnel and for church development in the U.S., particularly racial-ethnic and immigrant congregations. The campaign will continue to receive pledges toward its goal through the 218th General Assembly (2008), with payments accepted through Dec. 31, 2012.
Receipt of this gift brings to 31 the total number of new mission personnel who have been funded since MIJHH was launched at the 214th General Assembly (2002).
Linda Valentine, executive director of the General Assembly Council, announced the gift during a meeting of the MIJHH national steering committee on June 11.
“Clearly this donor has a great passion for Christ’s mission,” Valentine said. “There is no telling how many lives will be touched by the gospel thanks to this donor’s generosity.”
According to the donor’s pastor, he tithes faithfully and believes strongly in the universal church as a vehicle of God’s work in the world. “Because he is so concerned about enabling the church to do its work,” the pastor said, “he contacted me about really making his gift count. When he invited me to connect him with a specific program area of the PC(USA) in order to see results happen, I was glad to suggest that he direct his gift to the Mission Initiative: Joining Hearts & Hands.”
The six new mission co-workers will be attending the PC(USA)’s comprehensive orientation program prior to departing the United States to serve in the fields of health, education, and church growth.
“Both we in World Mission and our international partners agree that these positions are urgently needed,” said the Rev. Hunter Farrell, director of World Mission for the General Assembly Council of the PC(USA). “However, until now we have lacked the funds to fill them. We are grateful for the generosity of this donor and his love of Christ’s mission around the world.”
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