May 11, 2016
Africa
May 11, 2016
Zambia
Zambia
A congregation provides a lesson in extravagant grace I was having trouble following the conversation of the church vestry. They were speaking rapid Nyanja, and while I could pick out a few phrases, I was unable to keep up with the discussion. I could tell that they were speaking about a man in prison who would soon be released. And as the vestry continued the heated discussion, I filled in the blanks. Read more »
May 11, 2016
Minute for Mission: Disability Inclusion
Minute for Mission: Disability Inclusion
A few years ago during Advent, my daughter with Down syndrome was excited to participate in our annual Christmas pageant. She was in preschool at the time, and the littlest members of the congregation were traditionally given minor parts and did not attend regular rehearsals. They simply showed up the day of, did their part, and warmed worshipers’ hearts. Read more »
May 11, 2016
Los Ranchos Presbytery
The Luxury of Reading and Praying to Jesus
“Thank you for the books.” I must have heard that at least a thousand times! Read more »
May 10, 2016
Presbytery of Western Reserve
Liberian School Built by Vision, Faith, and Partnership
Isaac Monah’s home was destroyed and his younger brother was killed during the first of two civil wars in Liberia. He fled to the Ivory Coast, where he helped an American anthropology student track monkeys in the jungle. There, they talked about faith, and Isaac memorized a new word: Presbyterian. Moving to Ghana, he earned a high school diploma at age 27. Read more »
May 10, 2016
Congo
When essential medical supplies run out, a missionary turns to one remaining resource: prayer
It was most strange for my missionary-doctor-daddy to be home in the middle of the morning. Ordinarily he was not able to get away from the clinic or operating room before one or two in the afternoon. Yet, here he was now, riding into the back yard on his bicycle, right in the middle of our geometry class. Read more »
May 10, 2016
Pittsburgh Presbytery
Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community strives to be authentic, not unique
What do you get when you have two college friends with backgrounds in theater and combine that with degrees in ministry? Simply put, you have the Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community in Pittsburgh. Read more »
May 10, 2016
Minute for Mission: Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary
Minute for Mission: Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary
This month Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary marks an anniversary of sorts. On June 30, 2014, after 45 years of membership, our seminary disaffiliated from the historic consortium known as the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) of Atlanta. Why? Because the religious environment had changed. We felt called to bring a new kind of seminary into existence—one that is innovative and helps students anticipate the 21st-century reality of Christian ministry at home and abroad. Read more »
May 10, 2016
Presbytery of de Cristo
Georges Bitar: The Pastor as Artist
Georges Bitar is a Syrian refugee. Georges sits in my living room, sipping coffee. As we relish the baklava he brought—a gift to the senses, compliments of his wife, Mary—my wife, Laura, is delighted, for Georges has presented to her a beautiful calligraphy of the Lord’s Prayer in Arabic. Georges is both an artist and a pastor, leader of the Middle Eastern Presbyterian Fellowship (MEPF) in Tucson. Read more »
May 9, 2016
‘Partners for Just Trade’ organization celebrates tenth anniversary
Non-profit credits Presbyterian Hunger Program for its success
Artisans in countries like Peru and Cambodia that have struggled with extreme poverty most of their lives, are celebrating a milestone. Partners for Just Trade (PJT), an independent non-profit sustainable business, is commemorating its tenth anniversary. Read more »