Missionary Messenger Fall 2014 by Communications Ministry Team

MISSION A R Y MESSENGER F

LOAVES & FISHES Offering In The Philippines

NOURISH

FAITH

MISSIONS MINISTRY TEAM Ministry Council of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church

IN TH PHIL

EDITOR’S LETTER by Lynn Thomas Start Children Off On The Way They Should Go, And Even When They Are Old They Will Not Turn From It. Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)

nourishing

FAITH

he meaning behind the word nourishment is usually associated with food necessary for growth, health, and good condition. Children need to be physically nourished in order to grow and develop into healthy adults. In regards to faith, scripture can also be nourishment on a spiritual level. Scripture can also provide substance that is necessary for growth, health and condition. The book of Proverbs makes a stunning declaration establishing the importance of training a child in the way he/she should go. Christian faith can be understood as nourishment in the early years of life with the goal of establishing mature adults who are healthy in their knowledge of the Lord. Over the years, the Loaves and Fishes Offering has provided meals for many children in the world. This year’s Loaves and Fishes Offering is designated to help support the Cumberland Presbyterian Children Development Program in the Philippines. Presently, the Iloilo Cumberland Presbyterian Church provides hot lunches for 100 children every Friday and missionary Daniel Jang has been praying that they would be able to feed more. His dream and prayer is to feed double the number of children. Oton Cumberland Presbyterian Church also wants to have a hot lunch program for children in their area of the Philippines. With your participation in the Loaves and Fishes Offering both churches could feed more than 300 children continually for a year. The Loaves and Fishes Offering will provide more than just food. Most children don’t have enough school supplies and uniforms. High school and college students are also in need of scholarships to pay for tuition. This Offering will be used to provide school supplies for children and materials for those attending the Children Development Program. Offerings for Loaves and Fishes will make it possible to feed more children, more frequently. It will also allow Cumberland Presbyterian churches in the Philippines to provide the resources needed for children and teenagers to stay in school and college. Historically, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church has always reached out to children in the world through Loaves and Fishes: hot lunches, scholarships, uniforms, Christian education, worship, love, and nourishing faith. So, let us be inspired by Proverbs 22:6 and make it our prayer: “Use us Lord to train children in the way they should go. So, even in their old age they won’t turn away from you.” MM

2014 + LOAVES & FISHES LOAVES & FISHES

OFFERING IN THE PHILIPPINES

Missionary Messenger

Contents

5 Feature Stories

COBAN Eight young adults show children

and teens in Coban, Guatemala that God has not abandoned them.

A NEW MEDICAL CLINIC A medical clinic in Guatemala City

provides physical & spiritual care to the city.

THE PEJENDINOS Missionaries Fharnor & Socorro

on the missions field in Guatemala.

GOING BACK TO SCHOOL CP from Colombia & Mexico

MISSION FIELD STRATEGY COUNCIL Acts 15 & CP polity in action.

HUNGER AND MISSIONS Loaves & Fishes Offering

M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R FA L L 2 014

and USA study CP beliefs and doctrine.

addresses hunger in the Philippines.

Columns

4 9 13 14

Perspectives Second Mile Projects The Birthplace Shrine And Chapel

Step Out

20 MM MISSIONARY MESSENGER FALL | 2014 VOL. 3 | NO. 3

VISIT US ON THE WEB ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/currentissue To read the previous issues of the Missionary Messenger visit us at

ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/mmarchives

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PERSPECTIVES by Milton L. Ortiz

A PROMISING FUTURE

n 2013, the General Assembly provided an interpretation that allows the Missions Ministry Team to host missions work where there are no presbyteries in countries where we have pastors and churches. In the past 15 years the Cumberland Presbyterian Church has expanded with churches, missions and pastors in six new countries. In those countries there are still not enough churches or pastors to form a healthy Cumberland Presbyterian presbytery. General Assembly ruled that until such time as a presbytery can be formed, the mission work in those countries will have the benefit of direct care from the General Assembly itself, via the mission agency of the General Assembly, which is the Missions Ministry Team (MMT); a team of the General Assembly’s Ministry Council. Currently, the MMT hosts mission work in Guatemala, Philippines and South Korea. MMT works in partnership, giving direct guidance to Red River Presbytery (Mexico), and Tennessee-Georgia Presbytery (Cambodia, Laos) to fulfill presbyterial responsibilities on the mission field. This year’s, 184th General Assembly, affirmed the actions of the 183rd General Assembly regarding the authority of the Missions Ministry Team to conduct its work. From my perspective, we are addressing and answering the call to minister to the world. The concept of a global Cumberland Presbyterian Church is relatively new and has been initiated at the grassroots level. It is from Christians outside the USA who desire to be part of an international, multi-cultural church family who want to share the tenants of the Confession of Faith and Cumberland Presbyterian history. I remember being a young pastor in Colombia when Rev. David Brown visited us in the 1980’s. He asked if we wanted to be the “Colombian CPC” and we unanimously said, “No. We want to be part of a global denomination.” Today, we can celebrate our efforts towards becoming a global church. With the affirmation of the General Assembly, new opportunities are possible to enlarge our concepts of doing ministry to make the kingdom of God relevant in different parts of the world. We are also making history in the way we are doing missions. There is not a model for us to follow but we are following the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The future of our denomination is promising. MM

“We are making history in the way we are doing missions.”

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FA L L

2014

MISSIONARY MESSENGER {

V O L. 3, N O.3

}

MISSIONS MINISTRY TEAM of the

Cumberland Presbyterian Church

Sowgand Sheik holeslami

Art Director T.J. Malinoski

Editor Jinger Ellis

Copy Editor

8207 Traditional Place Cordova, TN 38016-7414 phone 901.276.4572 fax 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)

by Micaiah Thomas •

C O B A N

team of eight young adults arrived in giving birth to children as 13-year old girls find themGuatemala City on Saturday, May 31. From selves pregnant. And churches are searching for ways there, we hopped on a bus and traveled into in which they can help. the mountains until we arrived in the city of When eight young adults from CP churches I lift my eyes Coban. It’s a long and bumpy ride. There are through the Southeast of the US arrived in this town, up to the hill, they did what they knew how to do: they looked up to parts of the ride that are hot and sweaty and other parts where people are reaching for where does my the hills and recognized that their help came from the their sweatshirts. But, it is a beautiful drive. Lord. And they cared about the very people that God A drive where the mountains force your eyes to look up, to help come from. created and live in Coban. They sang songs. They did look way up and really see them in all their power. My help comes silly dances. They shared testimonies and did crafts. In Coban, we were met by two women who took us They played thumb war and hugged on children. Bein as their own sons and daughters. In Coban, we worked from the Lord, cause when the maker of Heaven and Earth cares about with children and teens. In Coban, we saw the maker of the maker of the people in Coban, those of us who stand in awe of Heaven and Earth begin to work. God’s majesty can do nothing but continue to witness Heaven and to that majesty. Coban is a town that looks good from the outside. Everyone knows everyone. Kids play soccer and go to Eight young adults worked hard. They played and Earth. school. Parents work and take care of their families. planned and taught and struggled through Spanish in orTeens struggle with the dramas of young love and the der to show some teens and children that there is a God upcoming biology test. In many ways, Coban is familiar. who has not abandoned them, there is a God who has not Psalm 121:1 It’s only when you look closely and listen to the abandoned Coban. There is a God who helps. And a God quiet promptings of the Holy Spirit that you can see who sends others to use their hands and feet to help. MM the loss and grief that grips this town. Coban is a town where mothers and daughters and sons and fathers live in fear. The Micaiah Thomas is a licentiate of Grace Presbytery and a seminary best kept secret of Coban is the fact that nearly all of its famistudent at Princeton Seminary. Her seminary studies are in missions and lies are broken in some very profound ways. Wives are abused spirituality. She has spent the last two summers interning in Guatemala. by husbands. Children are abandoned by parents. Children are

“ ”

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The Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Guatemala DEDICATION OF A NE W MEDICA L CLINIC by MISSIONARY FHANOR PEJENDINO

n Guatemala the need for quality medical attention is tremendous. The public services are not sufficient and in many cases they are not adequate. The private sector is very expensive and often inaccessible to a population that has limited resources. When a person receives medical attention, it is often the case that their health does not improve because they cannot purchase the recommended medicines. For this reason the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Guatemala approved supporting a new medical clinic. The Guatemala City medical clinic project was presented to Guatemala by the Missions Ministry Team (MMT), and is sup-

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ported by the Loaves and Fishes Offering. It was put in the hands of the Guatemala Council, which then delegated the administration of the project to the session of the Comunidad de Fe Church. The immediate objective is to provide quality medical services at a reasonable price, with the goal of helping people in the community and surrounding area. Another goal is to provide preventative medical education, that includes seeking out strategic alliances with other organizations to help provide medicines as part of the treatment. The primary goal is to present the Good News of salvation to each person that uses the clinic. The clinic facility is located in the Comunidad de Fe Church. They allowed us to remodel the first floor to serve as doctor examination rooms, a place for dispensing medicines, and a reception area. Recently, we had the opportunity to conduct a medical fair as a way to announce the new clinic and we were able to successfully see 269 people of low economic resources. At this time, the clinic has an agreement with a doctor, a dentist and a physical therapist that sees urgent cases. However, the clinic is still not at full operation. The clinic facility is finished, but it is not open for daily business. As things go, we are still awaiting certifications from the Ministry of Health. We hope that in a short amount of time all certifications will be in place and we will be in full operation. As a step of faith and a commitment to service to the community, the clinic was inaugurated in a church service on June 8, 2014.

The Pejendinos — Our New Missionaries Have Arrived! by LYNN THOMAS

everends Fhanor and Socorro Pejendino moved from Tulua, Colombia to Guatemala City in March of 2014. Fhanor and Socorro are pastors with Cauca Valley Presbytery, both successful church planters. While at the airport, ready to board their plane to Guatemala, they received a call from Socorro’s family that her father was gravely ill. She immediately left the airport with a suitcase and headed to her father’s home. Fhanor continued alone to Guatemala where he was warmly received by the people. He was able to move into the Comunidad de Fe Church; a temporary arrangement until a more permanent place could be secured. Unfortunately, in the haste of the moment in the airport, suitcases were mixed up and Fhanor ended up with Socorro’s suitcase full of her clothing. Two weeks later Socorro arrived in Guatemala and they and their suitcases were reunited. The first month in Guatemala consisted of getting to know the new CP churches and their members. They quickly became involved in many lives, searching for a place to live, shopping for furniture, a used car and appliances. By early May they moved into a house. In the first three months in Guatemala, Fhanor and Socorro have already held several workshops, worked with the Guatemala Council of CP churches and hosted youth groups in their home. They have conducted open air evangelism events, they are speaking in schools and they have had the opportunity to share with a group of police officers. On Mother’s Day there was an event in their neighborhood, both Fhanor and Socorro sang, prayed and shared with all those there. They report on several occasions in these

different activities that several people professed their faith in Christ. Fhanor and Socorro are in Guatemala to plant churches, but the first step is personal evangelism. They are already using their home for prayer and Bible study groups. Continue to pray for the work in Guatemala. The Pejendinos are supported by CP donors through the StottWallace Missionary Offering. MM

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GOING

BACK TO SCHOOL!

A CERTIFICATE by

Milton L. Ortiz

IN ADVANCED

CUMBERLAND STUDIES

une 4-14, 2014, Cumberland Presbyterian Church and Cumberland Presbyterian Church of America ordained ministers, probationers, presbyterial stated clerks, Memphis Theological Seminary students, missionaries, church planters, and executives from Colombia, Mexico and the USA went back to school. Sixteen students met at the First CPC in Chattanooga, ten days before General Assembly to take Module One of MTS’ Certificate in Advanced Cumberland Presbyterian Studies. This module focused on the historical development of the Cumberland Presbyterian

Church, dating from their origins to the present; and the beliefs and doctrine of the denomination. Also, this module focused on the organization, government and administration of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at all levels of the Church with a particular focus on the constitution, rules of discipline, rules of order, directory for worship, digest and other resources. The feeling of our missionary in Mexico, Reverend Carlos Rivera, in reflecting of his time in the USA while participating in the studies: “We are a radiant, dynamic Church, in constant reform. We have many challenges ahead, but also plenty of enthusiasm and a renewal of our calling and mission. We are

M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R FA L L 2 014

pleased to observe and experience what God is doing among us. We have enjoyed putting a face to those of you who love and are committed to missions. Our great and gracious Lord will reward you, your ministry and congregations so that the glory of God will be more abundant every day. We thank each of our teachers who so deeply filled our minds and souls.” Module Two will be January 6-16, 2015, in Memphis, TN. In this module, students will focus on an advanced study of Cumberland Presbyterian polity, leadership development, and the program agencies of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. MM

{THE SECOND MILE PROGRAM}

WHAT IS THE

SECOND MILE

PROGRAM? by LYNN THOMAS

he Second Mile program has been an important and profound mission program for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for many decades. It has had a profound impact on the growth of CP mission work. The name “Second Mile” communicates an important value of this program; it is giving that is beyond tithes, presbytery commitments, and Our United Outreach. The first mile is our commitment to our church and general programming of the Church at large. The Second Mile Project is designated as special offerings to meet particular mission needs that are not budgeted. The primary way Second Mile Projects are promoted is through the Missionary Messenger. New projects are listed in each issue along with updates on giving goals. Individual ministry teams of the Ministry Council submit project ideas which are then selected by Missions Ministry Team staff based on needs presented by our fields of work. Projects might underwrite the cost of land purchase, building construction, social action needs, or other ministries. Projects vary in cost with a minimum goal of $1,500. Typically, the designated recipient and the sponsoring presbytery are expected to share in the fund-raising. Consider adopting a Second Mile Project as an individual, with your congregation, women’s group, youth group or Sunday School class.

THE NEED - GUATEMALA CP COUNCIL SUPPORT Guatemala CP Council #34390 The CP churches in Guatemala are doing very well. It is our doorway into the Step Out initiative to open up Central America as a new mission field for the CP Church. We have amazing mission work in Guatemala City, three missionaries, new church-

es, a new medical clinic, and a developing Council of CP churches. The Council is of significant importance for the CP Church in Guatemala. It helps us coordinate our mission work. It is a tool we are using to develop our mission work by putting leaders together to conduct ministry and outreach. In the case of Guatemala, we have a good group of churches and pastors that work together meeting several times a year to plan. A Council is similar to a presbytery in how its members work together, but it does not have the authority of a presbytery. A council provides CP churches the opportunity to work together to develop programs and activities. The Council in Guatemala has three churches, in addition to our missionaries. We are asking for $10,000 to help the Council fund programs they will plan. The churches of the Council will also financially contribute to the Council. Activities they might develop would involve camps, CP training workshops, special outreach events, theological training scholarships, community service projects, etc. Our vision is that existing presbyteries will adopt a council to help build new presbyteries where they are needed. Help us develop a future presbytery in Guatemala by contributing to this Guatemala CP Council Second Mile Project. MM

FINANCIAL DATA: Total Amount Needed for the Project: $10,000.00

DURATION:

October 2014 – December 2015

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Lynn Thomas at lynndont@gmail.com (901) 276-4572 CONTRIBUTIONS: Please make check payable to the Missions Ministry Team indicating for project #34390 and mail to 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414.

CONTRIBUTIONS for the following projects

should be sent to the Missions Ministry Team, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414 indicating on the check the project number. For more information contact Lynn Thomas at lynndont@gmail.com or (901) 276-4572

Mexico CP Council Support – Project #34392 Amount Needed: $10,000 Asia Mission Forum – Project 34393 Amount Needed: $10,000 For more information about all of these projects go to

www.ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/secondmileprojects.

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MISSION FIELD STRATEGY— COUNCILS by Lynn Thomas

M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R FA L L 2 014

An important part of being Cumberland Presbyterian is the experience of being in a group, being

n Acts 15 we find a group of church leaders meeting together to make decisions about the life and shared vision of their group. They were asking a fundamental question, about who could be accepted into their group? In the end, choices were made and the entire group became unified around a shared decision. Let it be noted, it is not that they all agreed with each other at the end of their meeting. What they did was respect the decision of the group; they all agreed to submit to the group. It is easy to share ideas and perspectives in a group, then divide up into camps and each camp go its separate way. That was not the case in Acts 15. They shared ideas and perspectives, a decision was made, and most importantly there was humility; submission one to another. All these strong leaders walked away in unity because of the humility of those that didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get their way. This is a testimony that the world should see, and when seen, the world will be amazed. When Cumberland Presbyterian polity functions properly, this is what it looks like. Humility before God, that is lived out in real ways by being humble before our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is human to have different ideas and divide into groups, it is God inspired to have different ideas and walk away unified. Unity, despite different ideas, demonstrates our

presbytery. A council is not a presbytery, but they can plan events and activities. A council doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the authority to ordain and install pastors, organize churches, or send delegates to General Assembly. However, the Missions Ministry Team does consult councils and ask their opinion. When MMT is thinking about doing new programs, events or activities in the country where the council is located, we often ask the council for approval when mission teams and groups desire to visit their country and do projects in their churches. We do not impose our programs and events onto others, we want to be sure what we do is something they feel is relevant and needed. So, councils give us a great way to learn to be Cumberland Presbyterian, and they also give us a way to better determine the needs of our mission field. Currently, we have councils in: Guatemala, Mexico, Philippines and South Korea. The next time you hear about a CP council in a country, you are actually hearing about the CP Church expanding its mission work. The councils are a strategy to plant future CP presbyteries in new countries around the world. MM

connected to each other by

making decisions together. unity is in Christ. When the Cumberland Presbyterian Church expands into other countries it does so by starting new Cumberland Presbyterian churches. An important part of being Cumberland Presbyterian is the experience of being in a group, being connected to each other by making decisions together. To have a healthy presbytery, that is a group of churches and their leaders, it takes several healthy churches. The issue is it takes time to develop healthy churches. It may take 10 to 20 years, which means the new churches donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have any experience working as a group until a presbytery is formed. The experience of sharing ideas, sharing different perspectives, making decisions, and responding with humility is an important part of our Kingdom message. Part of the missionary strategy on our mission fields is to form councils of churches soon after we form a few congregations. These congregations are not organized churches, but considered mission points. A mission has a pastor and between 10 to 50 people, yet not enough infrastructure and lay leadership to form a session. The Missions Ministry Team forms councils so that churches and missions on the mission field can gain experience working together using the council as a step towards becoming a

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Hunger Missions AND

by JOHAN DAZA

So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:31-33 (NIV)

simplistic way to interpret this text is to focus on the first part that says “do not worry”. We live in a world where the easiest way to respond to crisis is by saying “do not worry.” By saying this it reflects that if we are okay, we shouldn’t be worried. However, if we take a step further, the Gospel of Matthew highlights the problem of inequality and the desire to acquire more regardless of the condition of those who are suffering. Many times it is easier to focus on what we do not have, rather than on we do have and how to share it with others. In reality the text says I cannot be happy if others are suffering because of inequality and injustice and it is for that reason that as followers of Christ we recognize that we are all connected as a body. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 1 Corinthians 12: 26 (NIV) The missionary work of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church is key in understanding how as citizens of the Kingdom of God, it is our responsibility to respond to

the crisis in the world today. Through our missionaries and mission fields around the world we are able to identify specific needs that affect the individuals, families, communities, and societies where we are present. At the same time we can develop strategies to act righteously according to the nature of the Kingdom of God. In this text, Matthew highlights this concern regarding fulfilling basic needs. What can we do to help? The problem of hunger in the world is not an issue of lack of natural resources. In reality, hunger is a problem of inequality and lack of righteousness. The word righteousness in Greek translates as justice in Spanish. Justice means the quality of being just; righteousness, or moral rightness: to uphold the justice of a cause. “Over 800 million people suffer chronic hunger in the world, and that includes over 50 million people in the United States who don´t have enough food to eat1”. Today, we have enough food to feed all the people around the world, but the unequal distribution of food and natural resources is often the is-

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sue. Matthew is challenging us to live as righteous citizens of the Kingdom of God who embody this justice in the world. Our church members, missionaries, planters, pastors, churches, presbyteries and denomination is called to do something as citizens of the Kingdom of God to fight against injustice and inequality through love, mercy, and compassion. That is why as the Missions Ministry Team we are encouraging you to accompany the mission work of our denomination around the world to respond to this vulnerability and suffering. Together we can become instruments of God to serve and aid as much as possible. According to the United Nations World Food Program, the Philippines is a disasterprone country with an estimated 20 typhoons annually, of which approximately five are expected to cause major damage1. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church is present in the Philippines through our missionaries, pastors, and churches. We are accountable to the local community through education, spiritual guidance, and a hot lunch program.

Now it is our turn to broaden that support by contributing to the Loaves and Fishes Offering for the Philippines this year. The typhoon that hit the Philippines on November 8, 2013, left 14 million people affected and 4.1 million displaced. In the immediate aftermath of the typhoon, households reported significant decreases in food consumption. While food security has improved considerably with the increase in food assistance, the most vulnerable populations remain food insecure and highly vulnerable. Multi-Cluster Initial Rapid Assessment results suggest that 27% of the population in affected areas remains food insecure and need continued food assistance to prevent further depletion of assets.2 2 Do you have enough to provide basic needs for your family? Are you a citizen of the Kingdom of God? Do you long for your brothers and sisters around the world to also have their basic needs met? Are you ready to support through giving time, resources, energy, love, and compassion? Are you willing to fight against hunger in the Philippines through our hot lunch program for children?

“THE PROBLEM OF HUNGER IN THE WORLD IS NOT AN ISSUE OF LACK OF NATURAL RESOURCES. IN REALITY, HUNGER IS A PROBLEM OF INEQUALITY AND LACK OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

SUMMER CHAPLAIN AT THE BIRTHPLACE SHRINE AND CHAPEL Weekly reports from the Reverend Lisa Cook, summer chaplain at the Birthplace Shrine & Chapel in Dickson, TN read something like this – “19 people and one dog!” “27 people and one dog!” “47 people and an offering of $87!” Lisa visits in the park campgrounds every Saturday greeting visitors to Montgomery Bell State Park and telling them about the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She also leads Sunday morning worship services held in the chapel at 9:00 am. The reports are exciting and Lisa’s joy is contagious. Lisa seems perfectly gifted to this type of ministry where she meets different folks every weekend and has gathered the worshipers from her conversations with them. She was recently ordained by Nashville Presbytery as a chaplain to the homeless community in Nashville. While campers are certainly not “homeless” they are transient, and Lisa has a way of pulling diverse people together to worship God and celebrate God’s goodness. MM

If you answered yes to any of these questions, God knows your needs and has provided you enough to share with others. God wants you to identify the needs of others and aid others who are suffering in your local community and around the world. MM 1 Feeding America 2 http://www.wfp.org/countries/ philippines/overview 3 World Food Program 4 http://www.wfp.org/countries/ philippines/food-security

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W HY? ASKING

by T.J. MALINOSKI

ne of the incongruities of evangelism is how to do it. The love, compassion and acceptance will guide temptation is to enact the Whosoever Will doctrine on the Step Out movement of the Cumberland the premise and interpretation that whosoever will may Presbyterian Church and is the guiding come and join us at worship, at Sunday School, or a church principle to break the isolation between function. This leaves it up to the individual/non-church church and contemporary life and make a goer/non-Christian to participate with no real sense of what symphony of noise and the clamoring of is going on beyond the prescribed times on a church billboard work in places where the Church is often that often serves as the only invitation. silent or absent. To focus on the question of how to do evangelism limits the scope too narrow and In this junction of our denominatoo restricted. There is no rigid formula for evangelistic success or a quick fix. There is tion’s history there is an urgent need for no single answer to the how to do evangelism question. Environment, cultural make-up, dedication and solidarity in our leadertalent and abilities vary greatly in differship. If we are to make the Step Out ent sections of the United States and the movement a reality, this kind of leadership “WE MUST COME must be fourfold. world. Instead, we must focus our creativTO SEE THAT EVANGELISM FIRST, there is a continued, pressing ity and energy to the question of why do need for inspirational and bold leadership evangelism. NEVER ROLLS ON WHEELS among our ministers. The ministers of our Evangelism takes on a whole new OF INEVITABILITY” congregations must be open and positive. outlook when we begin to ask the question They must work passionately and unrelentwhy. Asking why encourages Christians to “THE PRACTICE OF OUR ingly for the goal of equipping lay persons recognize a passion for their church and FAITH BECOMES OUR on the expressions of love, compassion and a passion for their relationship with God. acceptance for all God’s creation and sharAsking why inspires Christians to look at IDENTITY” ing how the gospel transforms lives. the life and teachings of Jesus. Framed in A SECOND area in which there is a need for dedication and solidarity in our leaderthis second look is to discover a common ship is at the level of the local church session. Here, we need the highest level of dignity thread of how Jesus treats others. The and discipline not only to represent the congregation but to listen to the voice of the individuals he encounters have various people, to be in tune with the gifts, abilities and talents of that congregation and seek ways needs and are from various walks of life. in which it can be shared with the community at large. He treats them with love, acceptance and A THIRD area we must look is at the presbytery level. Presbytery meetings are often compassion. When combined with forgiveviewed as a painstaking obligation by both clergy and lay people. The meetings are meaness, reconciliation and justification we sured by how good the lunch is and how soon the meeting can be adjourned. This branch discover the core of why we do evangelism. of our government must take the reigns of leadership and representation, establish acFortunately, this form of evangelism has countability and develop an emphasis on evangelism; regionally and globally. no theological bounds when we are simply The LAST area that is in need of dedication and solidarity is among individual sharing and giving of ourselves through our Cumberland Presbyterians. This is where the individual stories and testimonies of words and actions. This basic identity of

M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R FA L L 2 014

MISSIONS GIFT CATALOG

Changing The World One Gift At A Time love, compassion and acceptance lives. It is in the telling and retelling of how the Christian faith has impacted them individually and where the grassroots of the Step Out movement has its heartbeat and energy. In reality, evangelism is weighty in detail and broad to the extent that it requires ministers, sessions, presbyteries, synods, the General Assembly, the Ministry Council, Ministry Teams, our institutions and numerous individuals to shape the identity of the Step Out movement and bring it into reality. We must come to see that evangelism never rolls on wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and persistent work of men and women of faith willing to be co-workers with God. As co-workers and ambassadors of Christ, we step out and beyond ourselves relating our experiences of struggles and joys when love was expressed to us instead of malice, acceptance during the pangs of loneliness and compassion when our body or soul was injured. If expressed words are not our forte, we can step out and beyond ourselves giving love where it is absent, acceptance in an urgent moment and compassion in a time of need. Therefore, the practice of our faith becomes our identity and this identity becomes a contagious, evangelistic movement among the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. MM

The Missions Ministry Team is providing every pastor, session clerk and Cumberland Presbyterian Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ministry President with a Missions Gift Catalog by mail. This catalog will provide gift ideas that represent a ministry within the Cumberland Presbyterian Church that is in need of your financial support. You will find projects under headings such as Global Missions, Evangelism, CrossCulture and Ecumenical Ministries. You can use the Gift Order Form in the back of the catalog or purchase a gift online at http://ministrycouncil.cumberland. org/giving.

given in their honor. One hundred percent of your gift will go directly to the project you designate. Your participation will help mission expansion around the world. MM

As the holidays approach consider making a gift donation in honor of someone. The honoree will receive a gift card announcing the special gift you have FA L L 2 014 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R

CP Women’s Ministry

STEPS

OUT

t was a busy week at Convention in

Chattanooga. Women’s Ministry was literally “on the move” every day!!! As typical of Cumberland Presbyterian women, we met the challenges of the 30-acre complex of the Chattanooga Choo-Choo in stride. From the

Regional Council meeting, to the installation of new officers, to the joint gathering with our Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America (CPCA) sisters, to

Participant at joint gathering of CPCA Missionary Auxiliary of CP Women’s Ministry

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shuttles, to Track 29, to Publix demonstration, to the luncheon on Thursday – there was something for every woman. Come along as we give you a walk-through of Convention 2014…

Meeting of the Regional Council The Council met on Monday afternoon with 23 delegates present. The delegates spent time getting to know each other, sharing information and ideas, learning about the new resources, and making a recommendation to Convention regarding the new projects and offerings. This year, Regional Council represented delegates from Andes and Cauca Valley presbyteries, who shared about their own womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ministry activities in Colombia, South America, and extended a warm and welcoming invitation to attend Convention in 2015 when it meets in Cali, Colombia. Esperanza Diaz (Andes) and Amparo Salazar (Cauca Valley) also brought greetings to all at Convention on Wednesday.

Above:

Unification Task Force discussion. Right:

Youth-led worship at 2014 General Assembly Tuesday evening.

Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ministry and UTF On Tuesday morning, women participated wholeheartedly in the presentation by the Unification Task Force, which was attended by well over 800 people from both denominations. Following this presentation, the women scurried to another building and Convention opened with a processional of banners which included the new 2014-2015 banner made by Southwest Tennessee Region. In preparation for Convention in Colombia, SA next summer, two years of business was conducted before the busy week came to an end.

Meeting with Our CPCA Sisters Mrs. Beverly St. John and Reverend Mitchell Walker (CPCA)

Many women had the pleasure of attending the luncheon of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America (CPCA) Missionary Auxiliary and celebrating with them their unique ministries. The room was filled with beautiful, delicately handcrafted hats (and a few of them were worn by some CP women!). FA L L 2 014 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R

Left: Fair Food Publix Action during Convention. Right: Recognizing JoAnn Shugert, Convention Coordinator

Stepping Out in Mexico Carlos and Luz Dary Rivera, missionaries to Mexico, shared with Convention about their growing ministry in Mexico. Through testimonies and a Powerpoint presentation, we had the opportunity to go on a virtual tour of the CP Church in Mexico. We also learned that the Reverend Luz Dary is working hard to organize women’s ministry groups in the growing churches in Mexico and our prayers are with her in that effort. Global Missions Director Lynn Thomas shared an update on the new Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering. We celebrated the news that the offering was over $183,000 even before the Pentecost offering was received. (Note: The offering is now $283,086.46)

Louisa Woosley & Sissie Shepherd Even the men got in on the tradition by wearing their own hats. One of their biggest fund-raising activities is “The Woman of the Year” award, which helps to fund scholarships for CPCA students heading off to college. It is a contest where women will compete to raise the most money and be crowned “Woman of the Year.” This year’s winner was Mrs. Gladys Cantey, the current president of the CPCA Missionary Auxiliary. Congratulations Gladys!!! Following the luncheon, women from both denominations sat around the tables and got to know one another, learned together, laughed together, and prayed together. This event has inspired many regional groups to think about how they can join together with CPCA women in their own communities. If your local or regional group is interested in finding ways to involve CPCA women in your activities, or to partner with them in doing something new – there is a CPCA directory of synods/clerks on the Unification Task Force websitehttp://www.cumberland.org/unification/Unification/Snapshots.html

Stepping Outside the Convention Walls On Wednesday the keynote speaker was Silva Perez from Coalition of Immokalee Workers. Immokalee is an agricultural town in Florida where 90% of all the winter tomatoes in the US are grown. She explained to us the work of CIW, the Fair Food Campaign, and the need for people of faith to stand with farm workers and seek fair living wages and fair treatment in the fields. That afternoon about 40 CPs got ready for a scorching afternoon at a Publix grocery store in Chattanooga. This was the first-ever Publix protest in Chattanooga, and for many of the participants it was the first time to take part in such an action. Since the peaceful protest in Chattanooga, a few of the women in the group are making similar plans in their own hometowns. The three ecumenical farm worker partners were present the week of Convention to share about their ministries – Beth-El Farmworker Ministry in Wiwauma, FL; National Farmworker Ministry, and Project Vida in El Paso, TX. Each of these ministries have either CP roots or CP board representation. The Convention offering was divided between these three groups as part of the three-year focus on human trafficking, Set Them Free. (Offering total $15,300)

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A highlight of the luncheon was a visit by the Reverend Louisa Woosley, the first woman to be ordained as a minister in the CP Church. A woman of great faith and determination, she told of her challenges and joys in responding to God’s call in her life to be a minister. With her pillbox hat perched on her head “Sister Louisa” (a.k.a. Jo Ann Alexander) humbly told her story. Sissie Shepherd, of Huntsville, AL then shared her own testimony of her personal encounter with “Sister Louisa.” Reverend Woosley held a revival in her hometown and at the close of one of the services offered an invitation to discipleship, and Sissie responded with a commitment to Jesus, thus setting her on a lifetime of faith. Records indicate that Rev. Woosley preached over 6,343 services, and that over 7,664 people came to faith during those services.

Celebrating 125 Years of Women in Ministry Over 50 clergy women processed into worship on Wednesday night to a standing room only congregation at General Assembly. Well over 400 people were in attendance at the worship service planned and led by the Rev. Dr. Tiffany Brown and others. The Rev. Dr. Debra Matthews preached a rousing sermon about stirring gumbo – and both Cumberland Presbyterian denominations moving forward in passionate ministry to the hurting of our world. A hymn was commissioned for this celebration, Shall Women Preach, words and lyrics by J. Geoffry Knight and arranged by Abdullah/Hoffman. It was sung by Susan Knight Gore and beautifully interpreted by several licentiates and candidates. Part of the celebration worship included the introduction of the new Louisa Woosley Sustaining Women in Ministry Endowment by the Rev. Dr. Milton Ortiz, former team leader for the Pastoral Development Ministry Team. The Rev. Betty Shirley was recognized as the longest ordained clergywoman still living – 64 years of faithful ministry! To recognize her years of service, a $125 donation to the endowment was made in her honor. In this inaugural year of the endowment, any donation in the amount of $125 made in memory or honor of a clergy women will place that women in the Louisa Woosley Society and she will be listed in the endowment charter. An offering was received for this endowment during worship and it totaled $2847.00. A reception followed the worship service hosted by six different groups – Discipleship Ministry Team, the Historical Foundation,

2014-2015 Officers President-elect ATHALA JARAMILLO

Andrea Marulanda (left), this year's recipient of Bethel University Scholarship Award and Victoria Motheral.

Memphis Theological Seminary, Ministry Council, Missions Ministry Team, and Pastoral Development Ministry Team.

Convention Luncheon Judi Truitt presided over the luncheon with an attendance of 270 people, the largest in many years. This year’s Bethel University scholarship was awarded to Andrea Marulanda from Cali, Colombia. The $2,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a young woman attending Bethel University who plans to go into full-time Christian ministry. Andrea is a 20-year old junior majoring in Christian Studies and minoring in Spanish. Originally from Iglesia Presbiteriana Cumberland Central in Cauca Valley Presbytery (Colombia), she currently worships at Shiloh CP Church in McKenzie, TN. An-

drea has learned firsthand about both the challenges and rewards of ministry through her mother, Consuelo Gutierrez, who has been very active in different leadership and service roles in their home church in Cali, Colombia. Andrea has spent the past two summers helping translate and interpret for native Spanish speakers - including her mother - who attended the Program of Alternate Studies (PAS) Summer Extension School at Bethel University. She has been blessed by this service opportunity because PAS has become another source of knowledge and spiritual growth for her. Andrea is looking forward to continuing her education and service in Christian ministry, stepping out in faith and trusting that God will lead her in the direction that He wants her to follow. Congratulations, Andrea!! MM

BUDDY AND BEVERLY STOTT CP Missionaries to Japan from 1964-1990

uddy and Beverly Stott were both born into Cumberland

magnificent double rainbow. To us it signified that God’s prom-

Presbyterian families and were married in 1957. Both

ise to be with us was very clear. We had no idea of the things

of them attended Bethel College, and it was between

we would face as we adjusted to a new culture but was as-

his second and third year at Bethel that Buddy began to hear

sured of God’s presence and the strength to persevere.

God’s call to serve on the mission field. He became seriously ill

Buddy and Beverly went on to serve 26 years in Japan,

with viral hepatitis and was hospitalized in isolation for several

helping to further God’s kingdom through the Cumberland Pres-

weeks. During this time he spent many hours in prayer, study

byterian Church. Buddy served on the Executive Committee

and meditation. There he “made a deal with God” and said,

(prior to the formation of Japan Presbytery), he was privileged

“If I get through this with no permanent damage to my liver,

to help establish the presbytery, taught English Bible classes,

then I’ll go to the mission field.” The call to go to Japan came

preached, established new churches, and served as a mentor

to the Stotts in November 1963. They began three months

to candidates and licentiates. He was also part of the commis-

of language study in January 1964. With three boys in tow

sion that constituted Hong Kong Presbytery in 1980. Beverly

and after packing all their personal belongings in barrels for

also taught English Bible class, as well as cooking classes, as

transport to Japan, the Stotts attended the 134th General As-

a means of outreach and witness. God blessed that ministry

sembly in Chattanooga and were commissioned as missionar-

in an awesome way with some 65% of the women becom-

ies to Japan. Following final visits with loved ones, Buddy and

ing Christians. While in the States on their first furlough, God

Beverly, along with their three small children (ages 6, 5, and

blessed them with their daughter, Roberta Janelle, who still lives

14 months) made the long journey by car (with no air-condition-

and works in Japan.

ing) to San Francisco. Their journey aboard the USS President

Buddy and Beverly returned to the States in the spring of

Cleveland took two weeks where they met several missionary

1990 and Buddy became the pastor of Beverly’s home church

families. Beverly recounts a story of that journey – “Early one

in Brunswick. At the time of his death, Buddy was pastor of

morning while the boys were sleeping, Buddy and I went up to

Dresden CP Church, TN and had only preached three Sun-

the deck of the ship to enjoy fresh air. With active sons, it was

days. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church is blessed today

difficult to find time to be just the two of us. It had rained during

because Buddy and Beverly Stott listened to God’s call in their

the night and was rather hazy but the sun was burning through.

life to go and serve. God’s Kingdom is stronger and a more

Suddenly the sky began to clear and there above us was this

beautiful place because of their labors. Thanks be to God!

Past President MELODY DIERKING Secretary CARLA MEADE Secretary-elect MARCIA HUGHES Nominating Committee – Past Officer GLYNDA CORBIN Nominating Committee Member-at-Large MICHELE RACKLEY Additional business of interest included the selection of new projects and Convention offerings. Convention wholeheartedly embraced the recommendations of the Regional Council and will Step Out in the coming year to support the following projects: 1) Montgomery Bell Birthplace Shrine Chaplain (#34026) This project will help to fund a summer chaplain at the Birthplace Shrine and Chapel in Dickson, TN. The chaplaincy at the birthplace shrine and chapel symbolizes the past, present, and future of the CP denomination. The chaplain is able to render the denomination’s rich heritage, minister to the needs of those visiting the park, and share with others what the CP Church is actively doing for the future. Funds needed: $8,000 ($4,000 each for the summers of 2016 and 2017). 2) DMT Roadshow (#34027) This Discipleship Ministry Team’s project will enable them to take their ministries to places in the United States other than those where we have a concentration of congregations (fringe areas), and perhaps even outside the US. The project will begin in the fall of 2015, with the first event to include Bible study, fellowship, workshops, and activities for all ages. This project will include the two denominations – CPC and CPCA. The vision is to hold five (5) events. Funds needed - $15,100 2015 Convention Offering - Set Them Free (#34051) This is our third and final year for Set Them Free, our emphasis on human trafficking. The offering will be divided between the two women’s ministry groups in Colombia in their efforts to support and strengthen families, to help women who are at risk of exploitation, as well as any other ministries that they are engaged in.

SHARE Bible Study

by T.J. MALINOSKI

Taking the five loaves and

the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two

ark’s Gospel numbers over five thousand people gathered together and they have been listening to Jesus’ teachings all day in a remote area. It is getting late, and they are hungry. The solution for addressing the hunger for the disciples is quite practical, “Send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy something for themselves.” But Jesus gives them an alternative, one that the disciples did not like and found quite impossible, “You give them something to eat yourselves” he says. And they respond, “Us! You want us to give them something to eat. How? Are we supposed to go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” The disciples assume Jesus means they are to spend their own money to buy food, an idea that that they do not like at all. Jesus says, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” Jesus is not asking how many loaves of bread are among the crowd. Jesus is asking how many loaves of bread the disciples have. The disciples return and

fish among them all. And all ate and were filled… Mark 6:41-42 NRSV

say that they have five loaves of bread and two fish. Notice the irony here. Earlier in Mark, Jesus instructs the disciples on their mission work in 6:8 to carry neither bread nor money but they turn up with

Sharing strengthens the bond between people replacing isolation with community, resentment with acceptance and hunger with satiety. both. They have food for their journey and apparently have money to buy food for the people. The Gospel continues as Jesus teaches them to act like his disciples by participating in the process of feeding the hungry. He organizes the people into small groups, pronounces a blessing and distributes the food. Notice that Jesus does not bring down

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manna from heaven or turn stones into food. He takes what is already available, the five loaves and the two fish, and when it passes through his hands there is more than enough, much more than enough, for everyone present. Could Jesus multiply the five loaves and two fish for everyone to eat in some miraculous way? Could he gather up stones and turn them into food or pray to God to shower the hungry people with substance from the sky? He did not have to. He calls upon the crowd who are gathered and by seeing the disciples sharing what they have inspires others to do the same. Sharing is a fundamental aspect of being human. We share photos, stories, music, colds, opinions, space, loss and joys. It helps define us as a people of faith where one thing is then enjoyed by two or more. It strengthens the bond between us and another replacing isolation with community, resentment with acceptance and hunger with satiety. The Loaves and Fishes Offering is one among many opportunities to share of ourselves so that others may be satisfied. MM

HING

HE LIPPINES

Start Children Off On The Way They Should Go, And Even When They Are Old They Will Not Turn From It. Proverbs 22:6 (Niv)

2014 +

LOAVES & FISHES

OFFERING IN THE PHILIPPINES

8207 Traditional Place | Cordova | TN | 38016-7414 | 901.276.4572 For more information and resources visit our website at ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/loavesandfishes.

POLICY:

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