Extra Commitment Opportunities

There is a channel through which gifts can be designated for specific items that support the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s work around the world. These are called Extra Commitment Opportunities (ECOs). You can give directly to an ECO account online or by mailing your check designating the name and account number of the particular item you have chosen to:

PC(USA) Individual Remittance Processing
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700

Your gift will go directly into the ECO Account designated, and you will receive a letter indicating that your gift has been received and will be used for the purpose intended.

Below are some ECOs related to Belarus. For a complete listing visit Mission Funding's Web site and type Belarus into the search box.

Children and Youth

Russian and Belarusian Orphanages

Tens of thousands of children, orphaned or abandoned, exist in private and state-sponsored orphanages across Russia and Belarus. The orphanages are characterized by poor food and facilities, inadequate medical care and an underpaid staff. Gifts to this fund will enable partner churches to provide Christian love, material support and enhanced outreach to orphanages in the communities where PC(USA) congregation "twins" are located.

Church Development/Redevelopment

Belarusian Partner Churches

Belarus remains the most repressive state of the Slavic-speaking portion of the former Soviet Union. The PC(USA) is expanding its relationship with Russian Orthodox, Baptist and other churches in the country. Gifts to this fund will enable the relationship to grow by supporting new church development, theological training, congregational twinning and outreach projects.

Health

HIV/AIDS Support in Russia and Belarus

HIV and AIDS are spreading faster in some countries of the former Soviet Union than in any other place in the world. Gifts will support our church partners in Russia and Belarus as they respond to the crisis. Funds will support prevention, care and assistance for those living with HIV and AIDS, training for clergy and church workers, work with the media to raise awarenessand the development of church-related anti-AIDS networks within regions. 

Mission Personnel

Gary Payton — Regional Liaison for Russia, Belarus, Poland, and Ukraine

Based in his home in Idaho, Gary Payton is the PC(USA) regional liaison for Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Poland. He serves as a “bridge” between partner churches and other mission co-workers in the region and PC(USA) entities and individuals engaged in mission in the four countries.

Other Support

Regional Liaison for Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Poland

Support to this ECO will enable the regional liaison for Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Poland to work with churches and organizations in the Slavic-speaking portion of the former Soviet Union. Funds will be used to defray travel and telephone expenses. The regional liaison’s responsibilities include support to missionaries on the field, congregational twinning relationships, support to theological education, support to Russian partner churches spreading the Good News to people who do not know Christ, and facilitating a variety of faith-based humanitarian projects.