rev. dr. laurie kraus Archives

Mission Mosaic: COVID-19 response

Posted March 31st, 2021

An unprecedented calamity called for an unprecedented response.

Finding a way forward in Syria

Posted March 5th, 2021

Since conflict and violence began in Syria in 2011, at least two-thirds of Christians and two-thirds of health professionals have left the country, according to the Jinishian Memorial Program (JMP), a long-time partner of World Mission and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA).

Global partners working to help Mediterranean refugees

Posted January 20th, 2021

On October 3, 2013, the world watched in horror as photos emerged of a boat full of migrants from the horn of Africa, seeking refuge on the Italian island of Lampedusa, sank, killing more than 350 people.

Arson suspected in fire at a PC(USA) church in Springfield, Massachusetts

Posted December 28th, 2020

Massachusetts State Police, local arson investigators and the FBI are investigating the cause of a Monday morning fire that heavily damaged the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Massachusetts.

In civil war and economic collapse, Syrian ministers find hope in the Gospel, partnerships

Posted December 14th, 2020

At the Presbyterian Church of Latakia, Syria, the Rev. Salam Hanna ministers to people who have endured nine years of civil war and, recently, sanctions that have led to the worst economic crisis the nation has faced in a century.

Church partners join with NGOs to help displaced families in Beirut

Posted August 18th, 2020

Relief efforts are under way in Beirut to help the more than 300,000 people displaced by the Aug. 4 port explosion that is now being called among the five strongest blasts in human history.

Explosion nearly levels the port area of Beirut, Lebanon

Posted August 5th, 2020

A massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon on Tuesday has left at least 100 dead and more than 4,000 people wounded. The cause is still under investigation.

PC(USA) ministries supportive of Poor People’s Campaign platform

Posted July 16th, 2020

The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival attracted more than 2.3 million people to watch its three-hour-plus Assembly and Moral March on Washington June 20 online and on cable TV.

COVID-19 helping to fuel global hunger

Posted June 15th, 2020

With the coronavirus continuing to infect scores of people daily worldwide, the number of people experiencing acute hunger is expected to skyrocket globally, and some partners of the Presbyterian Hunger Program say the economic ramifications of the pandemic already are hurting the ability of people around the globe to feed themselves and their families.

An online service of lament

Posted May 13th, 2020

With mission co-workers and other Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) national staff tuned in from all over the country — and some from abroad — Compassion, Peace & Justice on Wednesday offered up “By the Waters of Babylon,” an online worship service of lament attended by more than 80 people.