MISSION A R Y MESSENGER S
U
M
M
E
R
|
2
0
1
4
Where Are We Now?
•Start A Prayer Group To Pray For Evangelistic Efforts •Support A Missionary •Set Goal Of 10% Numerical Growth
•hold Training Events On Faith-Sharing
ChurCh
T U O P E ST
WHERE ARE WE WITH b y T. J . M a l i n o s k i
W
here are we with Step Out? is a question that gets asked
not know what it is and those who have diligently embraced the move-
as the Cumberland Presbyterian Church moves forward with
ment of the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination.
an emphasis on sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with
The following are highlights of the past twelve months of ministry
others. An honest assessment of where a Cumberland Pres-
teams, presbyteries, and congregations embracing the Step Out move-
byterian stands with Step Out includes four categories: there are those
ment and by no means cover all the activities that are happening in, and
who are indifferent to Step Out, those who do not like it, those who do
outside, of the United States:
Pre-General Assembly workshops on evangelism Cross-Culture Ministries position for the United States hired Program of Alternate Studies classes on evangelism The Forum hosted a workshop on evangelism Presbyteries have devoted regular meeting time for evangelism and new church development workshops Set Them Free advocating and bringing awareness to the global issue of human trafficing The Cumberland Presbyterian magazine sharing faith stories encouraging us to think of how we articulate our own spiritual journey Individual church consultations on revitalization, evangelism and hospitality Presbyteries exploring, and beginning to explore, the possibilities for new churches for the first time New Mission focus on Central America with the starting point in Guatemala Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Ministers Conference workshop on “Developing & Preaching An Evangelistic Sermon” Missions Advocate Retreat Ask yourself, “Do I recognize any of these efforts? Have
presbytery and our denomination. Share this with your minister,
I participated, helped, assisted, or supported any of these
Sunday School class, CP Women’s Ministry group, youth group,
endeavors?” No? Then ask yourself, “Is it because you’re
church session, presbyterial boards and committees and discuss
indifferent or do not care for the Step Out focus?”
how you, your congregation and your presbytery can be a part
Step Out ultimately relies on the hard work and determination of Cumberland Presbyterians telling and showing
of Step Out. “Where are we with Step Out?” We can say that our
others what Jesus Christ means to us and how God is working
evangelistic efforts are slowly moving from thin paper to thick
in our lives today. Step Out will only be as strong as those who
action. We can say that our endeavors of Step Out are gently
believe that the Church never exists for itself alone but to glorify
shaping the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination to bravely
God and work for reconciliation through Christ (Confession
share its faith in Jesus to those who are seeking life and life
of Faith 5.09). The inside poster of this summer’s Missionary
abundantly. Join with those who have been diligently working
Messenger indicates the goals for our congregation, our
toward the building of God’s kingdom. MM
SUMMER 2014
9-11 Feature Stories: 5
STEP OUT IN PRAYER
“She said her father had had surgery that day and was hoping that someone would
12
CROSS-CULTURE CP CHURCHES
When I observe the different nationalities, tribes, people,
ARE STEPPING OUT
come by and pray for him. We looked at
and languages that make up the CP Church I can affirm
each other realizing that this was God’s
that those expressions are an anticipatory vision of what
plan.”
Heaven will look like!
15
CROSS-CULTURE CHURCHES BY PRESBYTERIES
It isn’t just about offering money to a mission.
Asian (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) 55%
It also may take the form of sacrifice and
Hispanic (19 different nationalities) 41%
hands on participation by the members.
African (Liberian, Sudanese) 4.5%
9
STEP OUT IN HONG KONG
BEING SALT AND LIGHT
With a land mass of 426 square miles and
18
6
JERUSALEM CP CHURCH
I’ve had the privilege of working in Africa as a
a population of over seven million people,
missionary sent out from Heights CP Church, and now,
Hong Kong is one of the most densely
ministering in one of the most ethnically diverse zip
populated areas in the world.
codes in the United States.
2 / SUMMER 2014
THE MISSIONARY MESSENGER
l i g
12-13 columns:
PERSPECTIVES
8
2ND MILE PROJECTS
16
"STEP OUT"
e a r t h
19
MISSION A R Y MESSENGER SUMMER | 2014
My Priority
{ VO L . 3 ,
N O. 2 }
Asia Mission Forum
k
Talking The Talk, Walking The Walk
17
CONNECTIONALISM
2014 GENERAL ASSEMBLY
20
BIBLE STUDY
t h e
VISIT US ON THE WEB
ministrycouncil.cumberland.org /currentissue
To read the previous issues of The Missionary Messenger visit us at: ministr ycouncil.cumberland.org /mmarchives
Step Out After A Wrong Step
k
4
h o t o f t f s h a e l t
w o r l d
THE MISSIONARY MESSENGER
SUMMER 2014
/3
PE RSPEC T I V E S / My Priorit y
: : M il t o n L . O r t iz
O
ne
vivid
As a teenager I was very shy and used
memories was during my
of
my
most
to turn red every time I was the center of the
freshman year in college. I
attention. So, stepping out in class was not
was attending a Christian
my thing, but I grew up with this feeling of
group on campus that
failure and inadequacy as a Christian being
emphasized the importance of sharing your
called to share my faith and the gospel. It
thoughts and beliefs about God and the
got worse when some years later, I saw
Bible. This group stressed the importance
the same student in the Christian group
to share the gospel at every opportunity
as a new believer. Today he is a pastor
and by any means necessary; especially
somewhere in Colombia.
in the classroom. For me, that opportunity
Stepping out is not easy and we are not
came during a philosophy class when
always clear how to do it. But stepping out is
the professor spoke about the origins of
the way to move ourselves from our comfort
spirituality in human evolution; indicating
zone to a place where we can be used by
that physical matter was foremost followed
God for His Kingdom.
by spiritual concepts. One of my classmates
As the new Team Leader of the Missions
stood in front of the class and affirmed the
Ministry Team, I have as a priority the
professor’s comments while I chose to say
plan approved by General Assembly for the
nothing.
denomination, for the following ten years:
The Christian group I was a part of met
the “desire to see the development of a fresh
a few nights later. Each of us was expected
identity for the Cumberland Presbyterian
to tell the group of when we shared the
Church as an evangelism/church planting/
gospel within the last week. The missed
missions movement.”
opportunity in the philosophy class flashed
This priority is challenging but sharing
through my mind. I did not speak at all and
God with others is one of the most rewarding
defend God when the opportunity arose
aspects of being Christian. This is something
and I felt terrible as a Christian. But I did not
we all can do together; not for ourselves but
let my Christian friends know of my missed
for the glory of God’s kingdom. MM
occasion.
4 / SUMMER 2014
THE MISSIONARY MESSENGER
M : : b y B e n I ng r am , S p r ing C r e e k C umb e r l an d P r e s b y t e r i an C hur c h, M o n t ev all o, A L
M
STEP OUT IN PRAYER
MISSIONARY MESSENGER SU M MER | 2014
{ VOL .3,
“She said her father had had surgery that day
N O. 2 }
and was hoping that someone would come by and pray for him. We looked at each other realizing that this was God’s plan.”
A
fter studying several books on evangelism, the men’s group at Spring Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church decided it was time to Step Out in our faith. After much prayer, we felt a need to go where we could meet people, provide comfort and share the gospel. God led us to a local hospital. Before entering the hospital, we have a prayer and then make our way to the nearest waiting room. As a small team of two to three persons, we introduce ourselves to those in the waiting room, let them know we are Christians who believe in the power of prayer and would like to pray for their loved one who is a patient in the hospital. Because of this, we have met people of all faiths and from many surrounding communities and states. More often than not, we spend time with the families we meet and share many experiences. Often we learn of their spiritual background which may open the door to share the good news. We learn of the pain, suffering and hardships that many of these families face. God speaks words of comfort through us as we pray and minister with these family members. At times, we can really see the hand of God at work. One evening we stopped at a waiting room that is most often empty. On
MISSIONS MINISTRY TEAM Cumberland Presby terian Church
8207 Traditional Place Cordova, TN 38016-7414 phone 9 01.276.4572 fax 9 01.276.4578
this particular evening a young woman was sitting alone. We offered to pray for her or someone in need. She immediately got up, started walking, and said for us to follow her. She said her father had surgery that day and was hoping that someone would come by and pray for him. We looked at each other realizing that this was God’s plan.
messenger@ cumberland.org
CREATIVE/ART DIRECTOR Sowgand Sheikholeslami
MANAGING EDITOR T.J. Malinoski
STYLE EDITOR
GETTING STARTED:
Milton Ortiz:
1. Find people in your church who are committed to evangelism. 2. Role-play a few scenarios of meeting people and turning the conversation from small talk to faith issues. 3. Let God lead you to a location where people may be receptive to God’s Word. 4. Pray for courage to be bold in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
COPY EDITOR Jinger Ellis
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Pam Phillips-Burk
PRINTER A1 Printing Memphis, Tennessee
MEMBER
CONSIDERATIONS: Prayer has long–lasting results and ongoing benefits. When praying, it is important to have faith in the ability of prayer to affect your life and the lives of others. When you pray for the good health and well-being of others, those blessings are bestowed upon you as well. MM
THE MISSIONARY MESSENGER
•
Associated Church Press
•
Evangelical Press Association
•
Evangelical Press Service (EP)
SUBSCRIBER •
News Network International (NNI)
SUMMER 2014 / 5
MM
W
step out 6 — SUMMER
Jerusalem CP Church, Roofing Project
STEP OUT
Jerusalem CP Church Steps Out Through Giving of Themselves It isn’t just about offering money to a mission. It also may take the form of sacrifice and hands–on participation by the members. : : by Brent Wills, Jerusalem Cumberland Presby terian Church, Mur freesboro, TN
W W
hen I ask myself how our church steps out to share Christ’s love with others, the words “giving” and “sacrifice” come to mind. The Jerusalem CP Church is mindful that God has blessed us and we are to be good stewards and share those blessings with others. It may take the form of money gifted to a particular ministry. For example, our CPWM alone provides $250.00 to the South American Scholarship, $250.00 to the South American Hot Lunch Program, $300.00 to Missions Ministry Team for Glenn Watt’s salary, $50.00 to Builder’s Fellowship for each call, poinsettias for shut-ins each year, $200.00 for fuel for Lakota Indians (sometimes more), $100.00 to the Domestic Violence Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, $180.00 twice a year to sponsor a child through World Vision, $100.00 to CP Children’s Home, $65.00 for welcome basket for the Still Waters family, $50.00 for Least Coin offering, $204.00 for tornado victims, $500.00 to help build a church on the coast of Colombia, in addition to contributing to all the Second Mile projects of the CPWM through Convention. The church also tithes to Our United Outreach serving many ministries of our denomination. As a smaller church, this offers us the chance to allow our work to be widespread with others. We also will be doing our part to support the Stott-Wallace Offering for our missionaries to continue touching lives. But it just isn’t about offering money to a mission. It also may take the form of sacrifice and hands on participation by the members. A couple of years ago, several members gave up a week during the summer to travel to Choctaw Presbytery to learn more of their culture and see how we could partner with them to touch
MM step out lives. Three or four times a year, our church travels to East Tennessee where we partner with the Coalition for Appalachian Ministries to reach communities in need. Last year, we provided 306 backpacks filled with school supplies to area students, as well as Christmas presents for some families who would not otherwise have a Christmas present. This not only involved a trip to East Tennessee to deliver the supplies and gifts, but also loading up the church van for an outing to Wal-Mart to go shopping for the families. With some connections to the county solid waste department, the men of our church rescued several bicycles from being thrown away and refurbished them for children at a school in East Tennessee. A trailer of 26 bikes was delivered to the school for children in the area. Our men have also offered themselves for workdays at our church camp, knowing that the improvements they make will hopefully make a difference in a camper’s life and the ministry of camping. Our church gathers once a month to prepare food boxes for the needy in our community. We currently serve about 22 families each month. We also have offered our church manse to the new Still Waters Single Parent Family Ministry of Murfreesboro Presbytery and have wonderful opportunities to meet and minister to single parent families who participate in that program. At Jerusalem Cumberland Presbyterian Church we work very hard in responding to God’s graciousness to us by stepping out into areas of need. We attempt to respond with more than just financial resources but also with our heart and bodies. It is in the giving of ourselves that we feel closest to God by making a difference in the lives of others. MM
7 — 2014
G I V I N G / 2 0
NEW PROJECT
ON GOING PROJECTS INTERNATIONAL YOUTH
“ASIA MISSION FORUM”
PARTICIPANTS – PROJECT #33019
MISSIONS MINISTRIES Project #34393 Second Mile Project
1 4
THE NEED
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church has congregations in 5 different countries in Asia, including two presbyteries, one in Hong Kong and one in Japan. The Asia Mission Forum was constituted by both presbyteries in 2013 and had its first meeting in March 2014. The goal of the Asia Mission Forum is to gather CP leaders in Asia once a year. The purpose of the annual meeting involves networking, learning of what each country is doing, and exploring shared events and activities that can be beneficial to all CPs in Asia. The Missions Ministry Team (MMT) has assumed the role of helping facilitate the meeting of the forum which will be held in a different country in Asia every year. The MMT provides travel grants to the missionaries and leaders that travel from countries in Asia that do not have presbyteries to support their participation. This Second Mile project will provide funds that will be used to help missionaries and church leaders travel to the Asia Mission Forum meetings. The next meeting will be in early 2015 in Hong Kong. Representatives will come from Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, and South Korea. Those that come from Hong Kong and Japan are supported by their respective presbyteries.
FINANCIAL DATA: Amount Needed from Second Mile
$10,000.00
Amount Contributed to Date
$ 0.00
Total Amount Needed for the Project
$ 10,000.00
DURATION: August 2014 – December 2015 CONTRIBUTIONS: Please make check payable to the Missions Ministry Team indicating for project #34393 and mail to 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Lynn Thomas at lynndont@gmail.com, or (901) 276-4572, ext. 261
Funding to bring two representatives (from each country where we currently have CP churches) to Triennium and the Cumberland Presbyterian Youth Conference. Amount Needed: $24,000; Amount Contributed to Date: $12,019.05 For more information contact: Susan Groce at scg@cumberland.org, or 901.276.4572. Send contributions to the Discipleship Ministry Team, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414 indicating on the check the project number. CLERGY CRISIS FUND – PROJECT #34004
Funding to provide financial support to clergy who are in crisis and in need of support and care. Amount needed: $12,000; Amount Contributed to Date: $ 0 For more information contact: pdmt@cumberland.org, or 901-276-4572. Send contributions to the Pastoral Development Ministry Team, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 380167414 indicating on the check the project number. Contributions for the following projects should be sent to the Missions Ministry Team, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 380167414 indicating on the check the project number. MEXICO CP COUNCIL SUPPORT – PROJECT #34392
Amount Needed: $10,000; Amount Contributed to Date: $ 0.00 For more information contact Lynn Thomas at lynndont@gmail.com or (901) 276-4572, ext. 261 GUATEMALA CP COUNCIL SUPPORT – PROJECT #34390
Amount Needed: $10,000; Amount Contributed to Date: $100.00 For more information contact Lynn Thomas at lynndont@gmail.com or (901) 276-4572, ext. 261
For additional projects please visit our website at http://ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/secondmileprojects. 8 / Summer 2014
MISSIONARY MESSENGER
: : by Pam Phillips-Burk
STEP OUT IN HONG KONG
With a land mass of 426 square miles (about 6 times the size of Washington DC) and a population of over seven million people, Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. Hong Kong is a “Special Administrative Region” of the People’s Republic of China situated on China’s south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea. Cumberland Presbyterians number just under 2,000 of that 1.7 million!!! There are 10 CP churches in Hong Kong and one mission point.
• Glenn Watts and So So
I had the privilege of visiting Hong Kong Presbytery in March, and Stated Clerk Eliza Yau carefully organized my itinerary so that I was able to visit 5 churches, 3 schools, and 1 mission point – all within 4 days!
››
MM step out 10 — SUMMER
Red Point Mission Steps Out into the Streets No sooner than my plane landed and luggage dropped off at the YMCA hotel, Eliza and I were off to the Red Point Mission. This growing congregation is led by a group of very gifted young adult leaders, who have a heart for Jesus and a love for missions. During the short time I visited the church I got to sit in one of the weekly tutoring sessions that they offer for students. This session was for middle school students who were practicing their interview skills (middle school students are required to undergo an interview before entering secondary school in Hong Kong). I was a likely candidate – being from the USA. The Red Point Mission has an active social ministry in their surrounding neighborhoods – monthly food distributions, monthly fellowship meals, tutoring, and other outreach activities. The mission makes a point to “get out of their building” and into the lives of those who need Jesus. This was a practice that I began to realize was common among all the churches in Hong Kong - getting outside the buildings and into the lives of people who were hurting, searching, or in need.
The Ministry of a School The Rev. Grace Yu led me on a journey to visit the Green Pasture Kindergarten and Yao Dao Primary Yao Dao Primary School
Schools, places I had only read about in the Missionary Messenger in years past. It was exciting to see for myself these institutions. Each of these Green Pasture Kindergarten Mu Min Cp Church, schools is home to a Hong Kong CP church, and the hallways are filled with posters and images of positive, Christ-like messages. Green Pasture is right in the middle of a bustling shopping mall. The Yao Dao Primary School is located in the midst of high rise apartment buildings of 40-50 floors, mostly government-subsidized dwellings. I was shocked to learn that there are 350,000 people living within a 20 block radius of the school and church providing a vast opportunity for ministry and service with many social issues causing great pain and hardship in the lives of so many people. The good news is that the CP Church in Hong Kong is stepping out to bring the good news to the people in the surrounding area. The Yao Dao CP Church (located in the secondary school) has a Saturday evening English worship service led by missionary Glenn Watts, called Glo. It is the only English service within 45 minutes, so it has tremendous growth potential! Hong Kong Presbytery is hard at work sharing the good news of Christ in some very trying conditions. They are seeking out ways to meet the needs of a tiny percentage of the 1.7 million souls living in Hong Kong, many who are living distressed and lonely lives. The faithful in Hong Kong are blessed with “beautiful feet” as they reach out to friends, neighbors, and strangers with the good news of Jesus. MM
MM step out 11 — 2014
Yao Dao CP Church
: : by Johan Daza
Cross-Culture Cumberland Presbyterian Churches
ARE
Revelations 7:9 says: “After this I looked, and there before me was a great MM step out 12 — SUMMER
STEPPING multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language,
OUT!
standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.” (NIV) Someone once told me that it is possible to have a bit of heaven here on earth. I think that is true. When I observe the different nationalities, tribes, people, and languages that make up the Cumberland Presbyterian Church I can affirm that those expressions are an anticipatory vision of what heaven will look like! The
Cumberland Presbyterian Church is envisioning the future of the Kingdom of God while we are still sharing the good news and planting new churches in different environments and contexts. God’s work of gathering together people from all around the world to worship and serve God is also our mission.
Louisville Japanese Christian Fellowship, Louisville KY. New Church Development
MM step out 13 — 2014
Cross-Culture Ministries USA Programs ■ Asian (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) 55% ■ Hispanic (19 different nationalities) 41% ■ African (Liberian, Sudanese) 4.5%
››
MM step out 14 — SUMMER
It is also important to understand the impact of the demographic changes around the world and how these realities can positively affect our task of sharing the good news with all human beings in a global way. Philip Jenkins in his book, The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity, says that in the 1900s both the United States and the European countries combined to have 32% of the whole population in the world, while Africa and Latin American represented 13%. Demographic studies predict that by 2050 the United States and European countries combined will represent 10-12% of the population of the world while Africa and Latin America will have 29%. In other words, the demographics in the traditional northern Christian countries are declining while the demographics in non-Christian countries are growing. (Jenkins, pages 93-95). The United States itself has experienced rapid demographic changes throughout the last 60 years. According to William A. Kandel, an analyst in Immigration Policy, “Origin countries of the foreign–born have changed since 1960 in ways that have increased U.S. population diversity.” These studies affirm that the proportion of all foreign-born persons originating from Europe declined from 74% in 1960 to 13% by 2008. Over the same period, increases occurred in the proportion from Latin America (9% to 53%) and Asia (5% to 27%) (The U.S. Foreign-Born Population: Trends and Selected Characteristics, William A. Kandel, Analyst in Immigration Policy. January 18, 2011) These demographic changes, especially the increased number of Latino and Asian migration to the USA, are also manifested within CP Cross-Culture ministries in the USA today. 55% of the Cross-Culture ministries in the USA are represented by the Chinese Church in San Francisco, CA, the Japanese outreach in Louisville, KY, and the 22 different Korean churches and new church developments (NCDs) around the country. Another 40.9% is represented by the 18 different Hispanic churches and NCDs in the USA. There are around 1800 members within our Cross-Culture churches in the USA, and it represents around 2.5% of the total membership of our denomination. MM
❸ Cross-Culture Churches by
PRESBY TERIES CUMBERLAND EAST COAST KOREAN PRESBYTERY Korean Outreach Church of Connecticut (Middletown, CT) Sharing Church (Flushing, NY) True Love Church (Holbrook, NY) One Way Church (Syosset, NY) Hope Korean Church (Tinton Falls, NJ) NORTH CENTRAL PRESBYTERY: Hispanic Ebenezer (Chicago, IL) Comunidad Cristiana (Chicago, IL) EAST TENNESSEE PRESBYTERY: Hispanic Casa de Fe (Boston, MA) Misericordia (Lenoir, TN)
GRACE PRESBYTERY Hispanic El Camino (Miami, FL) Nación Santa Internacional (Naples, FL), New Church Development Roca de Salvación (Birmingham, AL) Casa de Oración (Decatur and Cullman, AL) NASHVILLE PRESBYTERY Hispanic Cristo Vive (Nashville, TN) Korean Calvary CP Church (Clarksville, TN) Sudanese Sudanese CP Fellowship (Gallatin, TN)
❸ ❶ ❶
❶ ❺
❷ ❶
❿ ❷❽ ❷
❷ ❶
❶
MM step out 15 — 2014
DEL CRISTO PRESBYTERY Hispanic Maranatha (San Elizario, TX) East Maranatha (El Paso, TX), New Church Development Chinese Cumberland Presbyterian Chinese Church (San Francisco and Daly City, CA) Korean Bethesda Pyong San Yu (Las Cruces, NM), New Church Development TRINITY PRESBYTERY Hispanic Nueva Vida (Houston, TX) First CP bilingual outreach ministry (Spanish-English) (Houston, TX) Korean Yerang Church (Austin, TX) WEST TENNESSEE Hispanic Nuevo Empezar (Memphis, TN)
Cristo Salva (Memphis, TN), New Church Development Korean Acts Korean Church (Memphis, TN) Korean Church of Memphis (Memphis, TN)
Woori Church (Suwanee, GA) Cho Won Korean Church (Palisades Park, NJ) Korean Livingstone Church (Cumming, GA) Walking Together With God (Duluth, GA)
MURFREESBORO PRESBYTERY Hispanic Luz de Las Naciones (McMinnville, TN) Bates Hill CP bilingual outreach (McMinnville, TN)
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERY Japanese Louisville Japanese Christian Fellowship (Louisville, KY), New Church Development
TENNESSEE/GEORGIA PRESBYTERY Hispanic El Redil (Atlanta, GA) Korean Our Good Church (Salisbury, MD) Bak Seok Church (Duluth, GA) Life Church (Santa Rosa, CA) Agape Church (Duluth, GA) Trinity Church (Lawrenceville, GA) Glory Church of Jesus Christ (Duluth, GA)
MISSOURI PRESBYTERY Korean 1st Cumberland Presbyterian Church (Springfield, MO) ARKANSAS PRESBYTERY Korean Arkansas Loving Church (Little Rock, AR), New Church Development
Elmira Chapel CP Church
e
arlier this year we celebrated a memorial service for one of the saints of Elmira Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Bessie Johnson. During a time for remembering Bessie, her son-in-law expressed appreciation to the people of Elmira Chapel for the ministry with her and to her surviving family. He said he had been a member of several different churches, but had never seen a congregation like ours that not only “talked the talk, but walked the walk.” He was referring to Elmira Chapel as it attempts to Step Out by living and following the example of Christ. This happened when people called and visited Bessie, took her meals and books, provided transportation to medical appointments, helped with home repair and maintenance, sat with her in the hospital, assisted with the purchase of hearing aids, and providing a lift chair in her home. However, it was not a one–way relationship. Bessie prayed for her church family every day and called people to see how they were doing. She always read her Sunday school lesson, even if she could not attend worship. Bessie also believed in tithing and gave from her Social Security check the first of each month. Bessie was not the only person we ministered to last year. Locally, we were able to help several individuals in our immediate community, in addition to supporting the work of Longview Community Ministries, the Food Pantry, Newgate and Highway 80 Missions, House of Hope, Meals on Wheels, the Rainbow Room, a birthday party for residents of Rusk State Hospital, Christmas gifts for eighteen children at Pine Tree School and Asbury House. Each year, Elmira Chapel sponsors a preschool program called the Discovery School. Treat bags are made and given
16 / SUMMER 2014
Talking the Talk and Walking the Walk : : by Rev. Dr. James Cantey, Elmira Chapel CPC, Longview, TX
to local school teachers to give out during the time of state achievement tests. At different times during the year we also handed out gift bags to parents waiting in line to pick up children at the school next to Elmira Chapel and invited them to church activities. Nationally, we helped tornado victims in Oklahoma City; worked on the Pine Ridge Reservation teaching Bible School, making house repairs, and provided over $7000.00 to purchase propane to heat the homes of people in need during the winter months. Internationally, we assisted with hurricane relief in the Philippines and fed children connected to CP churches in Colombia. In Guatemala, we refurbished a school and built Sunday school classrooms for a church. In Cambodia, we helped a congregation purchase their first building. We also provided financial support for missionaries in both Colombia and Guatemala. Denominationally, we provided scholarships for children and youth who attended Camp Gilmont and have a number of adults who volunteer as camp counselors. We also gave to ministries such as the Cumberland Presbyterian Children’s Home, Bethel University and Memphis Theological Seminary. There isn’t space to review all of our work in 2013, but God richly blessed us, and in turn we were able to share our blessings with others. About one-third of our church budget was used for ministries outside our congregation. This is what it means to Step Out as God’s people for Elmira Chapel. MM
MISSIONARY MESSENGER
CONNECTIONALISM
THE BIRTH OF THE ASIA MISSION FORUM : : by Lynn Thomas
T
he Missions Ministry Team (MMT) and Cumberland Presbyterian leaders in Asia have discussed for several years how to better connect CPs in Asia. It was determined there was a need for a meeting of Asian CP leaders. There are two presbyteries in Asia, Hong Kong and Japan, in addition to churches in Cambodia, Laos, Philippines and South Korea. In total, there are 33 CP churches in 5 different countries. On March 14, 2014 the first Asia Mission Forum was hosted by Japan Presbytery. Representatives came from the above mentioned countries, including visitors from the USA (the General Assembly moderator, the director of the Ministry Council, the director of Global Missions and the director of Women’s and Congregational Ministries.) The first Asia Mission Forum elected Mr. Ted Shirai (Japan) as the moderator and Mrs. Elisa Yu (Hong Kong) as the secretary.
Above: Rev. Dawie Ahn and Rev. Daniel Jang Right: Asia Mission Forum
The forum enjoyed two days of inspirational presentations, worship, discussion and planning with each country giving a presentation about the work of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in their region. Much of what was shared about the expansion of the CP Church was new information to those in attendance. In addition to learning about each other and the growing CP presence in Asia, the forum talked about future events and activities that could be of benefit to all CPs in Asia. After the meeting of the forum those in attendance visited churches in Japan Presbytery. They spent a day sightseeing and developing new relationships. The Asia Mission Forum adjourned and each headed back to their respective countries. In 2015, they will reconvene in Hong Kong for the second meeting of the Asia Mission Forum. MM Right: Sarah Lee
l i t g h o e h f t o t f s h a e l t
e a r t
w o r l d
Being Salt & Light : : by Peter and Debi Drypolcher
I’ve had the privilege of working in Africa as a missionary sent out from Heights Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and now, ministering in one of the most ethnically diverse zip codes in the United States. Over the years, I’ve discovered the simple organic value of forming authentic friendship with my neighbors and inviting them into my home. In Zambia, we lived in a Muslim neighborhood and I walked every morning for exercise. Before long, I saw a Muslim woman walking as well. She and I greeted politely for a few days as our paths intersected. Then one day she stopped and asked me if I wanted to walk together. Soon we were sharing our lives during our walks, chatting and going to the market. She would tell me about Islam and ask what we believe as Christians.
“You are the salt of the earth.” “You are the light of the world.” Matthew 5:13, 14 (NIV)
One day as we were walking, she received a call that her niece had suddenly died in her sister’s home nearby. My friend, understandably devastated, asked me to give her a ride to the home. As I dropped her off, I said I would be praying for her. She insisted
that I come in and I was led to a room where all the furniture had been removed and the women and girls were sitting on the floor against the wall, praying with their prayer beads. I was the only Christian. I was able to be salt and light in the midst of their tragedy, simply by being there for my friend, praying silently and crying with them. The following week as we were walking she asked me what Christians believe about heaven. As I shared about heaven and the cross of Jesus and His amazing sacrifice for our sins, she was amazed. She had never heard the good news that we can be assured of eternal life with God. From that time on, she asked me to bring my husband to meet her husband, and share a meal. We met in this way several times and on every occasion, as the men gathered in the living room, the conversation would come around to religion with the men asking my husband about Christianity. Our friends have not become followers of Jesus yet, but we continue to have contact with them through email and phone calls. And we trust the Lord of the harvest to bring them into the Kingdom. MM
MISSIONARY MESSENGER
SUMMER 2014 / 19
… T U O P After A E T S
WRONG : : by Lynn Thomas
It was a new and exciting day, the kingdom was in the hands of a young, charismatic and energetic new king. New to the job, King David quickly solidified international relations by means of some strategic marriages and key military victories over neighboring tribes and nations that were dangerous and uncooperative. The young king was winning over his subjects and gaining the respect of his peers and his adversaries. David then turned his attention to gaining the hearts of his people. He decided to move the beloved Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. It was to be a pageant, a parade, a celebration that inspired and motivated an entire nation. There would be a live band and dancing in the streets leading the Ark of the Covenant from the countryside back to its rightful place. A new cart was custom built with the perfect oxen prepared to haul this temple worthy testament of God’s power. This was to be the focal point, the object that made the holy of holies holy, the very center of the Jewish temple, the center of Jewish faith. David was stepping out, he was moving the Ark of the Covenant to its place of inspiration and influence. Then the wheels fell off, well not exactly, but the cart tilted, the Ark slid to the side and Uzzah grabbed it to keep it on the cart. Scripture says that angered God and Uzzah died on the spot. It was a wrong step for the ox and cart, and certainly a wrong step for Uzzah. The Ark of the Covenant came with an instruction manual, and the enthusiastic king forgot to check it before the parade. Using the ox and cart was a wrong step; the Ark was to be placed on poles and carried by men. Furthermore, no one was to touch it, it was holy. The parade and celebration became confused and cheerless due to the fatality. David became angry with God. He stopped the parade and told everyone to go home. They
22 / SUMMER 2014
shoved the Ark into someone’s house for safe keeping and David returned home angry. He was frustrated with God and found God difficult to understand. For many the story stops here. Once God doesn’t meet our expectations or we can’t understand God, we walk off in anger and call it quits. The cold reality about stepping out is when we step wrong, stumble and fall, even fail…. then what? I learned that when working with new church developments that a certain number of new church plants fail for various reasons. The sad reality is once a presbytery has a failure, they are so disillusioned that any suggestion to try it again is met with, “well we tried that and it didn’t work.” The same with new mission projects, programs or even evangelism. Once we step wrong, experience the hurt, frustration, disappointment, we go home mad. Three months later David came back. He brought the poles, a new band, and danced with more enthusiasm than the first parade. David was not being cautious or careful, some said he was being reckless. What was he doing? People had already died trying to move the Ark. “We have done this and it didn’t work.” God’s expressions of love for a flawed man are historical markers in the life of David. God loved David. He was impulsive. Like Peter, he was persistent. Like Paul, he was enthusiastic. God does forgive missteps, even wrong steps, as long as we come back and Step Out… again. For those who are cautious and careful, who fear stepping out again after a misstep, they never reach Jerusalem. They never build a temple and they never create a center of worship that Jesus called a House of Prayer for all nations. MM
MISSIONARY MESSENGER
For more information and resources visit our website at ministr ycouncil.cumberland.org/stepout.
8 2 0 7 Tr a d i t i on a l P l ac e, Cord ov a , TN 3 8 0 1 6 - 7 4 1 4 , ph on e 901.276.4572
Mi s s io ns Min is tr y Team | Min ist ry Cou n cil of t h e Cu mberland Presb yt erian C hurch
•Establish Accountability For Evangelism Among Congregations
•Conduct Fund Drives For New Churches
•Start New Churches
Development, Evangelism And Missions
•Promote Call To Ministry To youth In Areas Of New Church
PrESbyTEry
POLICY:
THE MISSIONARY MESSENGER is published for the Cumberland Presbyterian 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. POSTM AST ER: Send address changes to: THE MISSIONARY MESSENGER, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414.
To order your
MISSIONS GIFT CATALOG visit us online at:
ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/giving You may use the Gift Order Form in the back of the catalog or you can purchase a gift online.
NEW MISSIONS
GIFT CATALOG
Missions Ministry Team Cumberland Presbyterian Church 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016 Phone: 901.276.4572 Fax: 901.276.4578