Mission Yearbook

Central Florida Presbytery

App helps students identify red flags and false leads of traffickers A new anime-style gaming app for mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, has an extraordinary mission: to keep children and young adults, ages 11 to 14, from becoming victims of human traffickers.

Presbytery of the Peaks/Presbytery of Western New York

Thankful pastor encourages others to apply for PC(USA) loan forgiveness As the Rev. Dana Vaughn was completing her studies at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, the Presbyterian Mission Agency was innovating several initiatives designed to allow Vaughn—and a new generation of risk-taking pastors like her—to transform the world through their ministries, while freed from the burden of educational debt.

Presbytery of the Cascades

Congregation partners with high school to break the cycle of bullying The vast majority of teens across America today use Facebook, Twitter and other social media to connect with their friends. While many of these interactions are harmless and even positive, some cause lasting damage.

Guatemala

Transcending divides, couple make relationships a priority with their mission support Although Bonnie Clarke’s Spanish was rusty on her first trip to Guatemala, she quickly began to experience the people in ways that transcended verbal communication.

Presbytery of New York City

New Worshiping community started by dwindling congregation creates hope In Manhattan, a new worshiping community is being formed, thanks to members of a nearly 140-year-old church who have taken seriously the belief that all God’s people are holy.

Presbytery of the Western Reserve

Cleveland church makes an easy switch to wind energy If there’s one thing we Clevelanders love to do, it’s grumble. We gripe about our lake-effect snow. We make sport of our losing Browns. But one of the things we complain about most—the weather—may provide a big win for Northeast Ohio in the near future.

Minute for Mission: Small-Membership Churches

Minute for Mission: Small-Membership Churches As we lift up small-membership churches today, let us remember God’s promise to David: “I will provide a place for my people . . . and will plant them . . . .” (2 Samuel 7:10 NIV).

Presbytery of the Pacific

Los Angeles pastor explores value of community connections Carlton Rhoden has challenging responsibilities as pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles. Longtime residents of the inner city have witnessed an exodus to the suburbs while an increase in crime, gang violence and drugs has made life difficult for those who remained behind. Still, the church takes its mission seriously: “Celebrating 110 years of God’s grace serving the community with the love of Jesus Christ.”

Presbytery of Long Island

Presbyterian pastor turns bad situation into opportunity to reach young people In March 2011, 16-year-old Jeyson Jones had reason to celebrate. He had just won a track meet at his high school and was texting his dad about celebrating over some Cold Stone ice cream. Within five minutes, he was racing into his home, bloody and confused.

Syria

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance helps Syrians displaced by civil war More than 250,000 Syrians are estimated to have died since civil war broke out in the country five years ago. Another seven million are displaced. The United Nations and other world organizations say the crisis has set Syria’s development status back by four decades.