world mission Archives

Malagasy Church calls for peace, dialogue amid growing political tension

Posted May 16th, 2018

The Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar — known by its Malagasy acronym, FJKM — has issued a statement calling for peace, prayer, repentance and dialog following violent clashes between police and protesters in the center of the capital, Antananarivo, which left at least two dead and more than a dozen wounded.

No retirement in God’s mission

Posted April 13th, 2018

The Rev. Dr. Niles Reimer is an unassuming presence in any setting and that’s the way he likes it. For Reimer, a return visit in January to Gambella town in Western Ethiopia was the chance to see dear friends and make new memories with generations of young Christians. His many contributions include translating the Anywaa Bible, which made it possible for the Anywaa people to read the scriptures in their own language.

Sri Lankan women make their voices heard

Posted April 5th, 2018

In a culture where women often go unheard, the fisherfolk women of Sri Lanka made certain their voices were loud and clear.

World Mission names new regional liaison for Guatemala and Mexico

Posted April 3rd, 2018

The Rev. Leslie Vogel, long-time mission co-worker, has answered the call to serve as Presbyterian World Mission’s new regional liaison for Guatemala and Mexico. She begins her new duties June 1.

Fair trade begins to flourish in Sri Lanka

Posted March 28th, 2018

Sri Lanka faces enormous economic and social challenges, but when a group representing several ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency visited in January, they saw a couple of fair trade and innovative workplaces beginning to flourish.

One body in Christ

Posted March 22nd, 2018

Is mission a one-way street? Not to people in Denver Presbytery or the Presbytery of Zimbabwe of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA). These two presbyteries have been faithful witnesses to the unity of the body of Christ for more than a decade, despite the nearly 10,000 miles between them.

Is Sri Lanka’s effort to become a tourism and business hub costing the country too much?

Posted March 13th, 2018

China is investing billions of dollars to build infrastructure all over Asia — Malaysia, the Philippines, and most recently, Sri Lanka. China says it is building a modern-day “silk road” (a nod to its ancient trade route), but some believe there are staggering consequences to signing away too much control to the Chinese, including irreparable environmental harm and debt so large it can never be repaid.

Mangos help Madagascar farmers rise from poverty

Posted March 12th, 2018

Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world with some of the highest chronic childhood malnutrition anywhere. The Fiangonan’i Jesoa Kristy eto Madagasikara (FJKM), the PC(USA) partner denomination in Madagascar, believes that as Christians, we should help our neighbors both spiritually and physically. Reducing poverty and improving food security are important components of FJKM’s outreach efforts.

Ghanaian congregation makes gift to support PC(USA) mission co-worker

Posted March 7th, 2018

Members of the Fumbisi congregation of the recently expressed their generosity in big bundles: two large farm sacks filled with fresh peanuts. They sold the peanuts in the local marketplace and donated the $65 they received to the sending and support of Presbyterian mission co-worker Josh Heikkila.

Lack of proper nutrition, housing and education plague Sri Lanka’s tea plantation community

Posted February 26th, 2018

The plantation people of Sri Lanka harvest some of the world’s finest tea, yet they don’t get to enjoy it themselves. Instead, they are only allowed to take the bitter dust of the leaves. It’s a metaphor for their lives.