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 Vanuatu. For a listing of giving opportunities in other countries in the region visit Mission Funding's Web site and type Pacific or other specific countries into the search box.

Education

Pastoral Training Program, Talua Training Center Scholars

The major challenge now facing the church in Vanuatu is to develop its leadership at all levels of its life. The crisis of leadership has been created by the move into politics of many good church leaders, by the rapid changes taking place in Vanuatu, by the fact that the church is almost exclusively dependent on local leaders and no longer on expatriate leaders, and by the increased involvement of Vanuatu in regional and global issues.

Talua Seminary and Training Centre

Talua continues the tradition of the Presbyterian Church in providing advanced training to pastors and lay leaders. At Vanuatu's independence in 1980, Talua provided the bulk of the leaders of the new government, since they were the most highly trained local people. Today pastors are provided with two years of training, which includes not only academic seminary studies but also agricultural training so that pastors can assume local leadership in the rural villages. Donations to this ECO will provide scholarships for training pastors and lay leaders, including women, as well as short-term evangelist training seminars.

Other Support

Pacific Region Liaison Program

Contributions to this ECO will support the Pacific regional liaison and related program activities, including partnership relations, education, mission, interpretation and travel costs.