M M
SPRING 2015
Missionary Messenger
Reaching Out In
BUENAVENTURA
GREENLAND
NORTH AMERICA
Cumberland
GUATEMALA MEXICO
Presbyterian
MISSIONARIES
COLOMBIA
Around The
WORLD
SOUTH AMERICA MEXICO
Carlos & Luz Dary Rivera Missionaries to Mexico Church planting & women’s ministry
GUATEMALA
Fhanor & Socorro Pejendino
PHILIPPINES
John & Joy Park
Missionary to Guatemala Church Planters
Missionaries to Iloilo, Philippines Leadership Development, Church Planting
Missionaries to Colombia
Anay Ortega
Daniel & Kay Jang
Discipleship & Leadership Development
Missionary to Guatemala Administrator, Evangelism
Missionaries in Iloilo, Philippines Church Planters
COLOMBIA
Boyce & Beth Wallace
Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund by T.J. Malinoski
Stretching the Horizons God is far higher than you can imagine, far deeper than you can comprehend, stretching farther than earth’s horizons, far wider than the endless ocean. Job 11:8-9 (The Message) Throughout both the Old and New Testament we read of God calling people to something larger than themselves. Job develops perseverance envious by all, a tongue-tied Moses becomes the voice of an entire community, and the twelve followers of Jesus leave behind family, work and home. God’s movement among us really is “far higher than you can imagine, far deeper than you can comprehend.” There are many Cumberland Presbyterians whom God has called to stretch the horizons for our denomination. Missionaries who make the great sacrifice of leaving their home country, moving their family, and leaving behind everything that is familiar. In many cases, they may even learn a new language to the ministry where God is calling them. The StottWallace Missionary Offering Fund provides the financial means to secure ongoing support for our current and future Cumberland Presbyterian missionaries. The Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund derives its name from two lifelong Cumberland Presbyterian missionary families. Buddy and Beverly Stott served in Japan for twenty-six years and Boyce and Beth Wallace will celebrate fifty-two years in Colombia this year. The fund was designed in 2013 to help missionaries with the two-fold challenge of fund-raising. One, the missionary has to devote a portion of his/her time to garner financial support for the continuation of their ministry. Two, raising the funds requires them to leave their ministry in search of that support, in essence putting the ministry on hold until they return. Last year was the first concerted and public push asking Cumberland Presbyterians to support our missionaries through the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund. Missionary work takes regular and consistent financial contributions to begin and sustain ministry. That is why the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund is so important to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. All contributions to Stott-Wallace given in the past and future is designated specifically for missionaries. Here is what your financial support to the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund does: • Responds to the urgency of spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ • Keeps the missionary in the country of service • Alleviates the stress and distraction experienced by the missionary of securing available funding to continue their ministry • Opens new horizons to support new missionaries and new mission fields Giving to the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund is easy and your participation will make a big impact on ministry. For example, if 500 churches give $2,000.00 to the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund, 1 million dollars will be raised for missionary support. You can send your financial contribution to Missions Ministry Team at 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova TN 38016 any time throughout the year. Your congregation can also join with other Cumberland Presbyterian churches around the world this Pentecost Sunday on May 24, 2015 as we celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. By supporting the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund, we will be stretching the horizons of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and become active participants in the building of God’s kingdom. MM
Cumberland
Presbyterian MISSIONARIES
AROUND THE
WORLD POSTER Download The Poster at:
ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/missionaries
In this issue: MISSIONARIES PRAYER CARDS
MM
Missionary Messenger
Contents
7 South America
Special Issue: Missionaries Prayer Cards
Feature Stories 7
Faith Stories From Cambodia Individuals from Cambodia whose lives have been changed by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
10
Back To The Future Missionary support is returning to the days of old.
13
John Lovelace, A Laborer in the Harvest John Lovelace’s fruits of ministry can be seen throughout the denomination.
2 MISSIONARY MESSENGER SPRING 2015
14
Setting Them Free in Nepal!
Noriko Matsumoto writes of Nepalese women getting a new start.
16
Reaching Out to Families at Risk in Buenaventura
Sandra Ramirez writes of a compassionate ministry in Cauca Valley Presbytery helping women and children.
18
Celebrating 90 Years of Presence
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church celebrates ninety years of ministry in Colombia, South America.
16
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Asia SPR I N G 2015
Africa
MISSIONARY MESSENGER {
V O L.4, N O.1
}
Columns
4
5-6
PERSPECTIVES / Missionaries
ON THE COVER: REACHING OUT IN BUENAVENTURA Photo Credit: Hamilton Or tiz S olis
VISIT US ON THE WEB
PENTECOST SUNDAY / Worship Resources
ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/currentissue To read the previous issues of the Missionary Messenger visit us at
ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/mmarchives
20
BIBLE STUDY / The Spirit is Everywhere!
SPRING 2015 MISSIONARY MESSENGER 3
PERSPECTIVES by Milton L. Ortiz
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mis·sion·ar·y (mĭsh´ǝ-nĕŕē) n. pl. mis·sion·ar·ies
M
M
issionaries are people called by God and sent by the Church to a specific mission in a foreign land. In the mission fields they are the ones who understand the meaning of being Cumberland Presbyterian. They have a heart for our denomination and believe that God is using this Church for the extension of His kingdom in the world. Upon graduating from high school and attempting to determine my future, one of the options I had was to answer the call to the ordained ministry. I was not yet prepared to answer affirmatively to the call but my pastor at the time continued to encourage me. My pastor at the Armenia CP Church in Colombia was a missionary from the USA. His care and gentleness with people was one of his most admired qualities. William Wood has been my role model of what a real pastor/shepherd should be. I remember being in his youth Sunday school class, listening to his preaching and teaching, and visiting the poor and the sick. I especially remember when he was praying the pastoral prayer every Sunday. On many occasions we spent time talking, and he answered my questions about the scriptures, ministry and life. I grew up both as a Christian and as a Cumberland Presbyterian because of the presence of the American missionaries in Colombia. While living in Colombia, I had the privilege to meet and be impacted by some of the missionaries that have been there for the last 90 years including Boyce and Beth Wallace, Larry and Lavon Acton, Bill and Kathryn Wood, John and Joyce Lovelace, Bob and Virginia Watkins, James and Belinda Cantey, and Lynn and Nona Thomas. I learned from them not only by listening to their preaching or teachings but also by observing them and being in community with them. I am also in debt to those that supported them financially, allowing them to continue their call to the mission field. I firmly believe that God calls some to the mission work and others to support them financially and by prayer. MM
SPRING
2015
MISSIONARY MESSENGER {
V O L.4, N O.1
}
MISSIONS MINISTRY TEAM CUMBERL AND PRESBY TERIAN CHURCH
“A person
can make a
big impact on another’s life
through a gift.”
Editor’s Note:
The spring issue of the Missionary Messenger has a specific focus as we highlight and celebrate our missionaries, mission work and the mission fields. As always, the magazine cover serves as a poster for you to use in your church, Sunday School, women’s and youth group. An added feature includes Pentecost Sunday worship resources including an 4 MISSIONARY MESSENGER SPRING 2015
affirmation of faith and children’s message. In addition, you will find an insert that is to be removed to pray for and remember our missionaries in the mission field. Enjoy your issue of the Missionary Messenger and share its news and content with others. T. J. Malinoski
Sowgand Sheikholeslami
Art Director T.J. Malinoski
Editor Jinger Ellis
Copy Editor
8207 Traditional Place Cor dova, T N 38016-7414 phone 901.276.4572 fa x 901.276.4578 messenger @ cumberland.org
PRINTER A1 Printing Memphis, Tennessee MEMBER • Associated Church Press • Evangelical Press Association SUBSCRIBER • Evangelical Press Service (EP) • News Network International (NNI)
PENTECOST SUNDAY WORSHIP RESOURCES /by T. J. Malinoski
ACTS OF CORPORATE WORSHIP
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Call To Worship Inspired By The Catechism And Confession Of Faith For Cumberland Presbyterians
Based on the Confession of Faith for Cumberland Presbyterians
Through the scriptures, through the sacraments, through our worship, The Spirit is working to help people know the love of God in Jesus Christ. Among believers, in our words, in our actions and in ways beyond our understanding, The Spirit is working to help people know the love of God in Jesus Christ. In this place, in our homes, at our school and at our work, The Spirit is working to help people know the love of God in Jesus Christ. The Spirit is everywhere, preceding all desires, purpose and intention. While possible for all to be saved with it, none can be saved without it. Let us celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the world today. Let us worship God!
All who are united to Christ by faith are also united to one another in love. (5.10)
Opening Prayer
The Church includes all people of all ages, past, present and future who respond in faith to God’s covenant of grace. (5.06)
Spirit of the living God, may your outpouring fall upon us this day. May it melt us in a refinement that glorifies your name. May it mold us like clay into a new image; a new creation to benefit all humanity. May it fill us with grace, compassion and care. Use this worship to melt us, to mold us, to fill us so that we will proclaim the gospel in this new week. Amen.
Prayer of Confession Let us pray together, God of life and mercy, our past and present is dirty with selfish motives and stifling distractions. We confess that we say that we will do better, try harder, and be more committed but we do not follow through. We confess our attraction with instant gratification, the pursuit of possessing leverage and the desire for unearned privilege. We fail to recognize the outpouring of your Holy Spirit upon our lives, ignoring the forgiveness and freedom offered and instead embracing heartache and trouble as a predicament of life. Help us to listen to your calming words of compassion for we are very hard of hearing. Forgive us of our sin and fill our lives with grace and reconciling love. Amen.
Assurance of Forgiveness (based on Titus 3) The encouraging letter to Titus says that our kind and loving God steps in to give us new life. Through the baptismal waters and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit we have life and have it abundantly. And there is more life to come – an eternity of life! Let us live as a people who have been forgiven and made free. Thanks be to God!
Benediction May the great love of God keep us, the teachings of Jesus fill us, and the deep wisdom of the Holy Spirit surround us. One God, one endless love. Amen.
In this community of faith, we are commissioned to share the grace of Christ with one another, to bear one another’s burdens, and to reach out to all people. (5.10) This community of faith has a special meaning for we belong to a particular community that is one, holy, universal and apostolic; the Church. (5.01, 5.11) We, the Church, are nurtured and sustained by worship, by the proclamation and study of the word, and by the celebration of the sacraments. (5.28)
We are commissioned to witness to all persons who have not received Christ as Lord and Savior. (5.28) God’s mighty act of reconciling love, the covenant of grace, was accomplished in Jesus Christ, the divine Son who became flesh to be the means by which the sins of the world are forgiven. (3.07) We are called into being and exist to reach out to those who have not experienced God’s grace in Christ. (5.29) God acts redemptively in Jesus Christ because of the sins of the world and continues with the same intent in the Holy Spirit. (4.01) We are responsible to share the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. (5.30) The Holy Spirit works through the scriptures, the sacraments, our worship, our witness, both word and deed, and in ways beyond our understanding. (4.02) We are responsible to give witness to the mighty acts of God in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (5.31) The call and work of the Spirit is solely of God’s grace. The Spirit’s call precedes our desires, purpose and intention to come to Christ. (4.03) Whosoever will, therefore, may be saved but not without the illuminating influence of the Holy Spirit. (4.03) For all who respond with repentance and trustful acceptance of God’s love in Christ, salvation and life is here! (4.04) For all who respond with repentance and trustful acceptance of God’s love in Christ, salvation and life is here! (4.04) SPRING 2015 MISSIONARY MESSENGER 5
PENTECOST SUNDAY WORSHIP RESOURCES / by Pam Phillips-Burk
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Missionaries, Here, There, and Everywhere! Acts 16:6-10
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issionaries are pretty interesting people. A missionary is someone who answers God’s call to go to another country, or another culture to tell people about Jesus. There are lots of Cumberland Presbyterian missionaries serving God around the world. There was a missionary in the Bible and his name was Paul. He and his coworker made plans to go to a particular country to tell people about Jesus. But God had other plans. Much to Paul’s surprise, one night he dreamt about a man from a place called Antioch begging him to come to his town to teach them about Jesus. God used a dream to send the missionary Paul to where God wanted him to go. Even though that wasn’t where Paul really wanted to go, he had a wonderful time while there. And that is how it is with most missionaries. Buddy and Beverly Stott were missionaries for a lot of years. It took them a long time to decide to become missionaries. When they finally said “yes” to God about being missionaries they thought they wanted to go to Colombia, South America. Yep – Colombia would be a great place for them to go. But God had other plans for them. God sent missionaries Boyce and Beth Wallace to Colombia, and Buddy and Beverly to Japan. Surprise! The Stotts’ served God faithfully in Japan for 25 years, and did a good job in helping to build God’s kingdom in that place. This is how it is with Cumberland Presbyterian missionaries. This is how it might be with you. We have our plans or ideas, and sometimes God has other plans. If we are open to listening to God,
PUZZLE
V Z C Y M O B N I Z D C C X A S G E L G S C I F S
K H K H B G G A W J U O O R W S Q I P E A C W P O
C P U Q I L H T B T S L Q N B T T J N I R B Z R A
H Z T X J N Z C H B V O H Z I N W I V R E U U I L
Q Z W J R Q A B O U X M B M L D P F S S V R J W Z
Q A Y U Q O C U S C P B L K H P N K X O I B G T P
R Q C W E U C Q E M F I N K I B R E O R R A O U M
B O H J G F A E G H Y A A L X A L H J Z Z J Y I B
C Q Y A I E A Z Y I X B I D P Q R Q O E L O M W Y
I G N S X Y L W Y B W H N F Q G C L E N P O M B C
P D X R W J V G O S P W A L L A C E D U G J K K E
A T A P S X W B X G T K T X E L P U K L O K Z J J
C C P M H C N C U N O K S X C G Z Y X W V F O J W
N R D Y T K C J E R N Q Z Y P K T S W A M A R N W
K O A L A M E T A U G T Y E K B Q T A D A U E X G
then we can have some pretty amazing adventures! And probably lots of wonderful surprises! During the Pentecost Season we give special attention to the work of missionaries. On Pentecost Sunday we receive and celebrate a special offering to support the missionary work of the CP Church. The offering is called the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering – in honor of two long-time missionary couples: Boyce and Beth Wallace in Colombia, and Buddy and Beverly Stott in Japan. When we give to the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund, we are giving to the work of all Cumberland Presbyterian missionaries wherever they may be around the world – Here, There, and Everywhere! To close, I want to give you a Missionary Prayer Card. Put this card in a place where you will see it every day, and remember to pray for the missionary on your card. Some of them have children just your age. Some of them are serving far away from their home, with no family. Some of them are serving in pretty dangerous places – countries where the people in charge don’t like Christians and would hurt them if they knew they were Christians. Be sure to pray daily for our missionaries, to listen for God in their lives, and to be bold in telling people about Jesus.
PRAYER : Dear Jesus, thank you for the missionaries all over the world who are telling people all about your love and grace. Keep them safe. Give them courage when it is dangerous; strength when it is difficult; and peace every day. Amen.
D W S H I N Q N V U N P G C N B R V B K W G Z Y K
F A Y P M Z K G L K J O R I H C A H P I Z C S R Q
L T A Y O H N U J Y C F Y A A T G N C C A S J A Q
F T L Z P H L R D R C Y K M T I S A T B K T L N Z
K S K J A A V P B E Q O B L C P B E X O C I X E M
M O E H G N O H U T U O B I F C J Z U N J A N G Y
V T J E D C E I R X D F E Y B D C L J L S K D R J
V N T H N R R P M I Y X H E A A S N K L S S N Y S
P R K I K J Y J A G P A R L L C R E R D J B J A Q
O F X N D N V M N Q K U R J V W Y W S E A G Q J T
CAMBODIA CHINA COLOMBIA GUATEMALA HONGKONG HOPSON JANG KYRGYZSTAN LAOS LEE MEXICO ORTEGA PARK PEJENDINO PHILIPPINES RIVERA UGANDA WALLACE WATTS
6 MISSIONARY MESSENGER SPRING 2015
FAITH STORIES
FROM CAMBODIA MINISTRY IS THE BEST WAY TO HELP OTHERS Samath is a 28 year-old Cambodian and the only person in his family to become a Christian. While attending high school, a visiting mission team from the United States taught an art class. Though the class lasted a few hours, Samath heard one of the art instructors share their belief in Jesus Christ. This was the first encounter of him ever hearing of Jesus and left after the end of the class curious about this man but said of the experience later, “I didn’t understand.” Following graduation, Samath attended the University in Cambodia for one year and transferred to the University in Laos to pursue his career plan to work for a non-profit agency to help others in need. As a result of some mutual friends in Laos, he was introduced again to people of the Christian faith who invited him to attend a church service. Curious about a man named Jesus, he went to an underground Christian church. After learning more over the course of the year, Samath made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ. Graduating with a major in Lao language and literature, Samath felt a call from God to become a pastor. “I felt the best way to help people was by telling them about Christ.” It was in ministry that he felt he would be fulfilling his life-long dream of helping others. At the same time Samath was returning home to Cambodia from graduation, a Cumberland Presbyterian church was getting its start. Not long after meeting the Cumberland Presbyterian missionaries, he found himself becoming a leader in this new church. He received his seminary training in the capital of Cambodia and graduated last year with a Master of Divinity. While working on his degree, he served as an assistant to the pastor at the Samaki Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The missionaries are only able to visit the congregation once every two months, so Samath is the worship leader most Sundays, hoping to be ordained soon as a Cumberland Presbyterian minister. When asked how his family feels about his calling to Christian ministry, Samath says, “My family is Buddhist. They never said ‘no’ but they never said ‘yes’ to me being a Christian. It was like being the black sheep. When I started to share Christ with my brother and sister, my father told me not to.” But a smile returns to Samath’s face when asked if he has been a Cumberland Presbyterian his entire Christian life. “Yes, I have.” Demonstrating several years of faithfulness to Christ and to Samaki Church, Samath will be a wonderful addition to the roll of Cumberland Presbyterian ministers. His immediate plans are to continue to serve the Samaki Church the best way he can and is engaged to be married this year to a member of the Samaki Church.
by Lynn Thomas
SPRING 2015 MISSIONARY MESSENGER 7
Faith Stories
FROM CAMBODIA AMAZING GRACE
A radiant face and a contagious smile best describe Sompong. She is from Laos, a country that is currently closed to the gospel of Jesus Christ. She likes to tell the story of her first meeting of a Christian. Christians are not common in Laos but a fellow student in high school told her about Jesus. Sompong described that first conversation in one word, “confusing.” She had gods in the neighborhood temple to guide her and politely denied her classmate’s invitation to know more about Jesus. Following high school, Sompong had her second encounter with a Christian while attending the University in Laos. It was through this friendship that she first heard the song Amazing Grace in a dorm room. In this song, she
8 MISSIONARY MESSENGER SPRING 2015
discovered three things: she absolutely loved the song, there was an emptiness in her heart that she could not completely describe and the message about Jesus was suddenly interesting to her. Despite the emptiness and receiving the gift of a Bible from her classmate, Sompong chose not to meet with her again. Returning to the gods in the temple she found herself in a conundrum; she liked the message in the song Amazing Grace but it was difficult to let go of what was familiar. Cumberland Presbyterian missionaries learned of Sompong from her classmate that gifted her the Bible and they invited her to learn more of its meaning and message. Accepting their invitation, she found herself no longer able to walk away from the gospel. Meeting with her family, she announced that she would no longer be going to the temple because she had experienced an “amazing grace”. Her family was upset at the news. Sompong was baptized by Cumberland Presbyterian missionaries. In reflecting upon her journey of faith, Sompong explains, “That song was my confessional. Each time I heard it I could feel God’s love.” Sompong desires that her family comes to know Christ. She has two sisters and two brothers, and her mother. Her father died a few years ago. As his illness slowly brought him to his death she read the Bible to him, prayed for him and told him about Jesus. She has the hope that at the end of his life he professed his faith. Today, she continues to share with her family the good news of Christ. Sompong is a leader in her church, leading the music for worship, teaching Biblical classes, and sharing her faith whenever possible with children in her vocation. She explains that she could be reported for sharing her faith, so she has to be careful. It does not discourage her though as she tells the children to keep the Jesus story a secret. Despite the risks, Sompong continues to tell those around her about God’s Amazing Grace.
Faith Stories
FROM CAMBODIA GROWING IN FAITH Chan is a 30 year-old English teacher in a Cambodian high school. Chan is a phenomenon; he was actually raised by Christian parents. Christians represent a very small percentage of the population in Cambodia. While attending the University in Laos to study English, he was introduced to Cumberland Presbyterian missionaries. As their relationship grew, Chan moved into their home as a student in need of a place to live. “This is where I grew in my faith,” he says while attending worship services and intensively studying the scriptures. After six years of university and several years living and working with Cumberland Presbyterians in Laos, Chan returned to Cambodia. He is now actively involved with the Cumberland Presbyterian presence in Cambodia and is one of the first elders elected to the Session when the Samaki Church was organized.
THE GIFT OF FAITH Pov is a 27 year-old Cambodian who moved to Laos to attend the university. While ambitiously pursuing two degrees in both Lao and English language and literature, he met two Cumberland Presbyterian missionaries. It was the first time Pov had heard of Jesus Christ. He says, “At first I didn’t believe and I told them I didn’t but they told me that God can give us anything; even faith. They told me to ask God for faith.” Pov wanted to believe but for months he had so many doubts he just couldn’t surrender to Christ. His family is Buddhist; he knew they would not be supportive. After months of this inward struggle something happened; he began to develop a faith. Pov was baptized but even then, he still experienced misgivings. “Not long after my baptism I experienced a miracle. God gave me faith, I was certain. I believed.” Pov says from that moment on he has been totally certain about his relationship with Jesus Christ. Under the guidance, patience and care of his missionary friends, he has become a faithful student of the Bible. When asked about a common reality in Southeast Asia pertaining to the support of his faith from his family, Pov says, “They are not supportive, they want me to renounce Jesus Christ. They look at me like I’m some kind of alien. My family is very active in the Buddhist temple. I pray for them and I want them to experience God’s grace.” He adds, “It is strange, they know Christians are good people. We don’t smoke, we don’t drink, we live clean lives, they respect that, but they are still reluctant to learn about Jesus.” Following graduation Pov has chosen to stay in Laos to teach English. He is active in the Cumberland Presbyterian presence in Laos assisting in leadership roles with music and worship. MM SPRING 2015 MISSIONARY MESSENGER 9
1987 . 2000 . 2015 My wife Nona and I became missionaries to Colombia, South America in 1987. After being commissioned the two of us and our new baby left for language studies in Costa Rica for a year, then on to Manizales, Colombia. 10 MISSIONARY MESSENGER SPRING 2015
I
t was great never having to worry about fund-raising. We would brag to missionaries working with other mission agencies in Colombia that we didn’t have to worry about finding donors or write newsletters to encourage continued support. There is a lot to worry about on the mission field, with many challenges, but one thing Cumberland Presbyterian missionaries didn’t worry about in that era was our salaries and benefits.
In the 1980s, there were only four Cumberland Presbyterian missionary families, but we were all well taken care of by the Church. By the end of the 1990s missionaries receiving salaries from Our United Outreach (OUO) came to an end. The fact is OUO just could not continue to fund the General Assembly approved initiatives/programs and continue to provide salaries to missionaries. As missionaries resigned and it became time consuming to find replacements, those funds found other ministries in the Church to support. In order to continue our mission program, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church started funding missions like most other denominations. By the early 2000s, all missionaries had to raise their own support. The good news was we could have more missionaries than we had in the past. The bad news was the stress our missionaries had finding donors. The Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund targets Mission Sunday, or Pentecost Sunday as the day to focus on missions and gather the offering for our missionaries. We currently need about $350,000 a year to fund our current missionaries. If we can double that amount we can provide better salaries and benefits, and more importantly approach people asking them to serve as missionaries. The Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund gives us the best of both worlds, it can provide a steady source of income to pay missionary salaries and it will be a missionary fund independent of the other important and vital programming funds of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
The Era Of Missionaries Having Salary And Benefit Security Is Coming Back.
HOW? The Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund is for missionary salaries. We need churches, women’s groups, youth groups, and Sunday School classes to support this offering. Support of this offering creates the money needed to support our current missionaries, open new mission fields, and yes, add new missionaries.
Some may ask, “Can we give to a specific missionary by name?” Yes, you can. We take those donations given in a particular name and add funds from the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund to make sure all missionaries have the funds needed to pay their full salary and benefit packages. The Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund is the key to financial stability for all Cumberland Presbyterian missionaries. MM
SPRING 2015 MISSIONARY MESSENGER 11
How Your Contributions To Missionaries Get To
EACH MISSIONARY
The Missions Gift Catalog:
Update
by Lynn Thomas
WHEN THE DONATION ARRIVES: 1. Your financial contribution arrives via check or online donation to the Cumberland Presbyterian Center in Cordova, Tennessee. 2. The funds are processed by the Missions Ministry Team using our accounting system. 3. A letter is generated and sent to you acknowledging we received your donation.
HOW THE DONATION IS DISTRIBUTED:
In
the fall of 2014, your or your church received a gift catalog providing gift ideas that represent a ministry of the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church in need of your financial support. The youth group at New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Paducah, Kentucky has a new program called Fruits of Refreshment Ministry that provides refreshments such as bottled water,
1.
In the case of a contribution to the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund • The entire predetermined missionary salary and benefits are paid by wire transfer from the Stott-Wallace account to each individual missionary at the first of each month.
2.
In the case of a contribution to a specific missionary by name • The contribution is noted by accounting for that particular missionary.
soda and candy and makes them available during their weekly meeting, Sunday School class and Bible study. From the proceeds, the youth decided to support a ministry from the gift catalog, and as of this printing they have paid for thirty-two children to receive medical visits at the Cumberland Presbyterian clinic in Guatemala. The Missions Gift Catalog is intended to be used
• The funds then move to the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund account.
throughout the year. If you are looking for a birthday,
• The contribution and additional funds* taken from the StottWallace account make up the entire predetermined missionary salary and benefits amount, which is then wired to that missionary the first of each month.
everything, use the gift catalog to help build new
* The Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund is the guarantee that all Cumberland Presbyterian missionaries have the predetermined salary and benefits amount, regardless of the amount actually donated to them each month. 3. Contributions to Cumberland Presbyterian missionaries working with partner mission agencies: • The donations received for that partner missionary are sent in their entirety to the partner mission agency’s accounting office each month. • The partner agency then uses their normal distribution system to move donations to their missionaries, which covers salary and benefits, as well as program funds.
12 MISSIONARY MESSENGER SPRING 2015
anniversary or graduation gift for someone who has churches, support the Birthplace Shrine ministry in Dickson, Tennessee, or sponsor an ecumenical ministry like Beth-el, National Farm Workers or Coalition for Appalachian Ministries. Misplaced your gift catalog? Contact the Missions Ministry Team at jellis@cumberland.org to request a new copy.
John Lovelace A Laborer in the Harvest “Jesus said to his disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.’” (Matthew 9:37-38, NKJV) by Lynn Thomas
J
ohn Lovelace was born in rural Oklahoma in 1921. John’s parents helped organize the Covenant CP Church in Ada, Oklahoma. At the age of ten, John professed his faith in Christ and by the age of sixteen he felt God calling him to be a minister. John moved to McKenzie, Tennessee to attend Bethel College and the CP seminary located on Bethel’s campus. It was on the grounds of Bethel that John met and married his first wife Joyce. Following graduation, John returned to Oklahoma to work as a missionary for the Choctaws. John recalled huge crowds at Fifth Sunday rallies and one youth in particular that later became important to the Cumberland Presbyterian Choctaws. “Betty Jacob was [just] a youth when I was missionary there.” Betty now serves as the presbyterial coordinator for Choctaw Presbytery along with her husband, Randy. John and Joyce’s love for the Choctaws is evident by their adoption of three children of Choctaw heritage. John and Joyce had five children: David, Laura, Mary, Mike and Alana. In 1959, John received a call from Bill and Kathryn Wood, two missionaries in Colombia, South America saying that the people in Colombia needed him. John said, “Ultimately, God called us, so we went.” John and Joyce had an amazing ministry in Colombia, one that touched many lives and shaped many leaders that serve the CP Church today. After eight years as a missionary in Colombia, John moved to Kentucky and pastored the Sacramento Cumberland Presbyterian Church for the next sixteen years. With his heart always in the mission of the Church, his leadership through the congregation sent numerous work teams around the world. John’s impact as a worker in God’s field of harvest led to 134 work teams traveling the globe to share the good news of Christ. In 1978, John became the Director of the Department of Hispanic Ministries in Tampa, Florida, at the new mission called Beth-El Farm Worker Ministry. Remembering his time in that field, John noted, “I raised a great deal of money for Beth-El and I was able to get three different denominations to support its mission.” After his ministry at Beth-El, John and Joyce returned to Colombia for two more years to work in Medellin, Colombia.
In the mid 1980’s John returned to the United States and served as pastor at the Morningside Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Evansville, Indiana continuing to lead work teams around the globe ministering in ten different countries over the years. In 2009, John lost his wife Joyce to her battle with cancer but in 2011, John found love once again, and married his now current wife, Linda. The list is long of those that John Lovelace has inspired and shaped throughout his years of ministry; a list that includes countless lay leaders, pastors, missionaries, and even denominational leaders. Yes, it is quite a harvest and John Lovelace is one laborer who heard and responded to God’s call. MM
John Lovelace is diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS) and is currently under hospice care. He and his wife Linda have active lives despite the seriousness of his illness. They enjoy visits from friends, appreciate words of encouragement and appreciate our prayers.
SPRING 2015 MISSIONARY MESSENGER 13
Setting Them Free
IN NEPAL! Written by Mrs. Noriko Matsumoto, who is a member of Koza Cumberland Presbyterian Church (Japan Presbytery) where her husband, Masahiro (Matt) serves as senior pastor. Noriko is an excellent translator and communicator and is very involved in the ministries of her church, as well as Japan Presbytery. Noriko and Matt have four grown children (two boys and two girls). 14 MISSIONARY MESSENGER SPRING 2015
I
n late summer of 2014, the Koza Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Japan Presbytery hosted
My family hosted four Nepalese young women during their stay in Japan and learned that they have
an annual cross-cultural worship service with
been living at one of The Apple of God’s Eyes group
two Portuguese and Spanish congregations. The
homes for more than ten years. Two of the four are now
speaker for the worship service was a missionary
adults and have been reunited with their families. They
named Marcelo Bevilacqua from Nepal who spoke on
financially support their parents at twenty-three years
the realities of human trafficking in the country. With
old. It is really amazing to realize that even though they
him, he brought four Nepalese young women, once
were sold by their parents (who were deceived); now
living on the street and used for prostitution in India,
they have forgiven their parents and provide care for
now receiving rehabilitation through a Brazilian ministry
them.
called The Apple of God’s Eyes. This ministry was
I was so moved to know that in fourteen years the work
created for the purpose of rescuing children with no
of The Apple of God’s Eyes has expanded. The girls,
home living in the streets and as a response to Jesus’
who once lost their childhood, are being restored,
words in Luke 9, “You give them something to eat.”
getting an education, and growing in their faith in Jesus
Currently, the ministry has five group homes and one
Christ. I wanted to let many people know about this work
elementary school caring for and educating more than
and encourage your support of this ministry. MM
one hundred and eighty children in Nepal. The Apple of God’s Eyes also provides education for the rural villages to educate parents to not sell their children to India.
You can learn more from their website at meninasdonepal.com .
SPRING 2015 MISSIONARY MESSENGER 15
Reaching Out In Love to Families at Risk in
BUENAVENTURA Written by Mrs. Sandra Ramirez,
who is a member of Divino Redentor Cumberland Presbyterian Church (Cauca Valley Presbytery), where her husband, Wilfrido Quinonez serves as pastor.
16 MISSIONARY MESSENGER SPRING 2015
B
uenaventura is the principle
Buenaventura is a magnet city for young
Our churches and fellowships have
port city of Colombia on the
people and families escaping “guerrillas”
“Stepped Up” in this precarious situation and
Pacific Coast. It is where the
and drug trafficking in villages along the
have set up lunchrooms in their facilities to help
first missionaries arrived by
Pacific Coast. The infrastructure of the city
these children. In recent years, Compassion
boat in 1925 and left as soon
cannot possibly take care of their needs. This is
International and Cauca Valley Presbytery have
as possible by train to Cali. The tropical
part of the reason that 80% of the population is
joined forces to offer an integral ministry which
heat, humidity and poverty are oppressive
poor and 63% do not have jobs. This situation
provides tutoring, family counseling, health
and hardly welcoming for enthusiastic new
exists in a place where billions of dollars in
care, spiritual support, recreation, crafts and
foreigners. Years later missionaries went back
goods from multinational companies pass
lunches. There are 426 children from seven
to Buenaventura to open a mission. From
through each year. At the same time billions
to sixteen years old enrolled in the program.
this mission, we now have two organized
of dollars in illegal drugs pass through the
Needless to say this program depends largely
Cumberland Presbyterian churches and two
same city port leaving a trail of blood and the
on volunteer labor from our churches.
fellowships. These churches minister salvation
bleeding has not stopped yet.
and hope through preaching and teaching of
Women and children are the most
The children and their mothers in Buenaventura deserve better opportunities to
the Word. The young people have an innovative
vulnerable groups that suffer from poverty and
escape the poverty and violence in which they
ministry of evangelism through drama. The
violence. Women are often abandoned and
live. You can help by praying for them and by
Women’s Ministry is actively involved in
forced into prostitution. Those who want work
giving generously during this final year of Set
evangelism, spiritual growth, teaching daily
must leave their children to fend for themselves
Them Free. MM
living skills, and are strong leaders in all the
in unsafe situations. They are often abused -
ministries of the church.
the girls become sexually active at an early age and boys become members of street gangs.
Photos by Hamilton Ortiz Solis, member and elder of Divino Redentor Cumberland Presbyterian Church Buenaventura, Colombia
SPRING 2015 MISSIONARY MESSENGER 17
Rev. Swartz arrived in Cali
1925
Foundation of Colegio Americano
90 1928
Organization of Cauca Valley Presbytery
Establishment of Central Church in Cali
1929
1934
Cumberland Presbyterian Church in COLOMBIA, SOUTH AMERICA
Celebrating 90 Years of Presence by Joha n Daza & M i lton Ortiz
2015
is a very special year on global ministries for all Cumberland Presbyterians. We are celebrating ninety years of presence in Colombia, South America. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church has been present in Colombia since 1925, however, the Cumberland Presbyterian story starts a decade earlier. Rev. John A. Deaver had felt the call to missionary work in the early 1900s. His dream was to become a Cumberland Presbyterian missionary to South America. While pastoring the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Tennessee the First World War broke out and he set aside his dream to answer his civic duty by becoming a military chaplain. Before he was able to accomplish his dream, Chaplain John A. Deaver died in service in 1918. In Deaver’s memory, The Women’s Board of Missions in 1922 agreed to sponsor Rev. W.L. Swartz and his wife in their missionary education and they were
18 MISSIONARY MESSENGER SPRING 2015
commissioned as the first missionaries to Colombia, South America during the 1925 General Assembly in Nashville, Tennessee. Ninety years after this amazing story, we are celebrating the lives and work of all 25 American missionaries and their families who served in Colombia. This celebration includes the first Colombian families who received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and those who became the first Colombian Cumberland Presbyterians. This celebration also includes God’s grace, the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and the good news of Jesus Christ shared by our Colombian brothers and sisters in past decades to present day. The ninety years of ministry in Colombia includes two presbyteries (Andes and Cauca Valley), sixty-two churches, three schools, two camps and one senior citizen’s facility. In Colombia, there are more than 4800 active Cumberland Presbyterians, forty-seven ordained ministers, sixty-three probationers, and two missionaries who have been serving for fifty-two years. Outside of Colombia, there are more than ten Cumberland Presbyterian ministers and their families serving the denomi-
nation in the United States. But not only that, both presbyteries partner together in missions by sending Colombian missionaries to Mexico and Guatemala. There is much cause for celebration in the Colombian ministry that this year’s General Assembly will be held in Cali, the birthplace of our denomination in Colombia. The ninetieth anniversary of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Colombia allows us to see our missionary work in Cambodia, Guatemala, Laos, Mexico, Philippines, United States and other new mission fields today with a confident hope that God is opening opportunities to share the good news of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit to make the Kingdom of God real and present in all these places through the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Can you envision these mission fields ninety years from now? It may very well be the same question that many Cumberland Presbyterians were asking ninety years ago about the new mission field in Colombia. Well, let us tell you that the dream of one person became a reality and it is still ongoing today. MM
Organization of Andes Presbytery
Foundation of Colegio Americano of Pereira & Manizales
Formation of Medellin Coordinating Committee
185th General Assembly in Cali
1982
1990 &1992
1990s
2015
List of Missionaries in Colombia Rev. W. L. & Mrs. Jessie Swartz
5 years
1925-1930
Rev. Bernice Barnett Gonzales
14 years
1928-1942
Rev. Ethel Brittle Roa
16 years
1928-1944
Rev. & Mrs. E.L. Conyers
4 years
1930-1931; 1936-1939
Rev. Davis O. & Mrs. Gladys Bryson
15 years
1931-1946
3 years
1932-1935
Ms. Betty Smith Terrel
NOTE: Since 1925 there has been a Cumberland Presbyterian missionary serving in Colombia. Here is a list of the missionaries who have served.
Ms. Ollie Mae Preston
1 year
1935
Rev. Paul F. & Mrs. Mattie Brown
4 years
1940-1944
Rev. Arleigh & Mrs. Josie Matlock
2 years
1942-1944
Rev. Emery & Mrs. Ora M. Newman
10 years
1942-1952
Rev. Vance & Mrs. Annie Shultz
15 years
1944-1960
Rev. Fred Bryson 2 years
1945-1947
Rev. Edward & Mrs. Beth Clyne
2 years
1945-1947
Ms. Cassandra Stockburger 3 years
1947-1950
Rev. James & Mrs. Azzillee Kelso
12 years
1948-1957; 1960-1963
Rev. and Mrs. B.D. Mathias
1 year
1952-1953
Rev. William & Mrs. Kathryn Wood
29 years
1956-1970; 1973-1988
Rev. John & Mrs. Joyce Lovelace
11 years
1960-1968; 1983-1986
Rev. Boyce & Mrs. Beth Wallace
52 years
1963-Present
Mr. David & Mrs. Shirley Pierce
3 years
1964-1967
Rev. Larry & Mrs. Lavon Acton
5 years
1969-1974
Rev. Robert (Bob) Watkins 7 years
1976-1983
Rev. James & Mrs. Belinda Cantey
7 years
1982-1990
Rev. Lynn & Mrs. Nona Thomas
11 years
1987-1998
Rev. Dan & Mrs. Marsha Gross
6 years
1994-2000
SPRING 2015 MISSIONARY MESSENGER 19
Bible Study
The Spirit Is Everywhere!
H
“When the Spirit of truth comes, she will guide you into all his followers on the Spirit as well ow do we describe something as the writings attributed to Paul. that can be experienced the truth” John 16:13 References to the Spirit are not but never seen? This is the
exclusive to Jesus and Paul as the monumental task one faces by T.J. Malinoski Spirit can be found throughout the when attempting to characterize the Old and New Testament. Check the Holy Spirit. In the Gospel of John, Jesus concordance in your study Bible or do has a great discourse among his friends a search for the “Holy Spirit” on your describing the purpose and role of the Holy tablet or phone. Spirit. The disciples may have been full of The 2008 Catechism for Cumberland questions as chapters fourteen through Presbyterians serves as an instructional and seventeen of John’s Gospel is dedicated to educational guide to help us articulate and Jesus teaching his disciples about the Spirit express our faith. Supplying some insight on that is to come, yet cannot be seen but one the Holy Spirit, the Catechism says, “the Spirit will know the Spirit when it arrives. Like with is everywhere, working to help people know many other occasions, Jesus’ followers are having the love of God in Jesus Christ,” “calling all difficulty grasping the profound instruction being people to trust in Jesus Christ and to live in the given saying to one another, “What does he mean covenant of grace,” and speaking to us “through by this?” and “We do not know what he is talking the Bible, the church, the witness of believers, and about.” One can almost hear Jesus exhaling a deep in ways beyond human understanding” (questions sigh of exasperation when he tells his disciples with a 42-44). hint of finality, “I still have many things to say to you T he C onfession of Faith for Cumbe rl an d but you cannot bear them now but when the Spirit of Presbyterians states, “the Holy Spirit works through the truth comes, she will guide you…” (vs.12-13). scriptures, the sacraments, the corporate worship of the In the disciples’ defense, the Holy Spirit is a difficult covenant community, the witness of believers in word concept to grasp. The Spirit is present but we cannot see and deed, and in ways beyond human understanding. it. The Spirit sounds like the rush of mighty wind on the The Spirit moves on the hearts of sinners, convincing them Day of Pentecost and gives people the ability to speak in of their sins and their need for salvation, and inclining them languages native to others. The Spirit is part of the Trinity, to repentance and faith toward God” (4.02). unique in her work and role, yet equal to both God and the When faced with the monumental task of attempting to Son. We often take for granted the complexity of the Christian describe the Holy Spirit, we can draw our inspiration from the faith until we find ourselves in a situation where we are asked Scriptures, the Catechism and Confession of Faith. We can say what the Holy Spirit is. with confidence that the Holy Spirit is everywhere, moving in In search of answers, Cumberland Presbyterians have at least ways within and beyond our understanding calling all people to three avenues to help us articulate the role and work of the Holy trust in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is the courier and conductor Spirit. We have the Scriptures, the Catechism and the Confession of Faith. In the scriptures, the Gospel of John has Jesus instructing of truth, guiding us to live in the covenant of grace. MM
2 0 MISSIONARY MESSENGER SPRING 2015
ASIA
EUROPE Note:
KYRGYSTAN SOUTH ASIA
JAPAN
CHINA
* Missionaries that have an initial work in closed countries and
HONG KONG
for security reasons we do not publish their
AFRICA
PHILIPPINES
names. Much of the data on this map is from the 2013 GA Yearbook. Non-denominational organizations that have CP missionaries that are not listed are: Frontiers Missions, New Systems
AUSTRALIA
International and Campus Crusade.
SOUTH ASIA
UGANDA
David & Sarah Lee
Kenneth & Delight Hopson
KYRGYSTAN
Missionaries to Southeast Asia Church Planters
Missionaries with World Gospel Missions - Uganda
TTG
HONG KONG
CHINA
Glenn Watts
NB
Missionary to Hong Kong Worship and English Service Xi Lin CPC
Lives in China and does leadership development with Campus Crusade.
They live in Kyrgyzstan and run an egg production company. They evangelize through the use of Christians to distribute eggs.
POLICY:
The Missionary Messenger is published for the Cumberland Presby terian Church by the Missions Ministry Team. Opinions expressed by the individual writers are not necessarily those of the publisher or the editors. The Missionary Messenger does not accept advertising. ADDRESS CHANGE: send new address and label from a recent newspaper to the Circulation Secretary at the address below.
The Missionary Messenger (ISSN 08868344), (Publication permit number: PE14376) is published quarterly by the Missions Ministry Team of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414. Periodicals postage paid at Memphis, Tenn. The magazine is sent free of charge to each household in the denomination. POST MAS TER: Send address changes to: The Missionary Messenger, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414.
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