Missionary Messenger Magazine, Spring 2021

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Spring 2021 / Volume 10

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HOPE OF THE PAST HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

Wilson & Diana Lopez, Spain

David & Sarah Lee, Southeast Asia

Fhanor & Socorro Pejendino, Guatemala

Daniel & Kay Jang, The Philippines

Patrick & Jessica Wilkerson, Colombia

The Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering

Josue & Sara Guerrero, Brazil

The Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering

GIVING HOPE Romans 15:13

May The God Of Hope Fill You With All Joy And Peace As You Trust In Him, So That You May Overflow With Hope By The Power Of The Holy Spirit.

By Lynn Thomas Paul’s letter to Roman Christians talks about the hope for Gentile conversion. In his letter, in particular Romans, chapter 15, Paul lists Old Testament references which affirm God has included all peoples in God’s invitation to salvation.

Paul then encourages the Roman Christians by reminding them they too are included in God’s hope and the Holy Spirit in them will cause their hope to flourish.

Missions is about hope. When one reads reports from our mission fields, one reads about activities that bring hope to others. Our missionaries to the Philippines talk about the tears of the worshipers who attended their first worship service in their new church building. They tell about the poverty they see and the feeding programs our churches have which help the needy. They tell about the dream of planting more Cumberland Presbyterian churches, hoping worshiping communities will change lives. Our missionaries in Guatemala talk about the new building they will soon occupy which will house a CP church and eventually a CP medical clinic. They tell about feeding children each day in another of the CP churches. They talk about the hope of future Guatemalan leaders to pastor our churches. The new missionaries headed to Spain to work with our churches in Spain and France tell us about their hope for growing healthy CP churches in Europe. Our missionaries to Brazil talk about

the hope of planting a new CP church. The missionaries in Colombia report the home Bible study they started is moving to a new location. The goal is a rented space which will allow for the growth of a future church. The Colombian group hopes for a new CP church in their city to meet needs and be a witness for Christ.

Our missionaries are envoys of hope. Paul starts Romans chapter 15, reminding us the strong are obligated to bear the weak, “and not to please ourselves” (verse 1). Paul then moves his thoughts into outreach and missions, even outreach to the Gentiles. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church is asking CPs around the world to support the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering generously. This offering is the way we pay all our missionaries’ salaries and benefits. In its entirety, your donation will be used to support the missionaries the Missions Ministry Team supervises. We ask CPs to sacrificially give in response to the sacrifice our missionaries make to serve in foreign lands. We send them as our envoys of hope.

One of our missionaries wrote, “we sacrifice so that others may benefit,” and added, “we feel grateful to all the people who love and support missionaries.” Our sacrifice of giving to support missionaries is a small token compared to a life of sacrifice on the mission field in the hope what is said and done bring blessings and benefits to others. MM S P R I N G 2 0 21

M ISS I O N A RY M ESS E N G E R 1

6 175 Years of Global Missions 8 Procrastination & Hesitation Will Not Stop Us From Worshiping 9 Easter Traditions Around The World 10 OptIN 11-16 Missions in 2021 17 Celebrating the Life and Ministry of Missionary Fhanor Pejendino

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PERSPECTIVES by Milton L. Ortiz

A MISSIONS STRATEGY

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hen Paul decided to write a letter to the church in Rome, he had a goal in mind. The Letter to the Romans is a strategy plan for missions in Spain. He writes with the intention of making the believers in Rome partners in missions. To achieve our goals, one must first have a clear vision and determine what steps need to be taken to accomplish these goals. And it is always recommended they be realistic and measurable.

In sharing his vision, Paul begins by breaking down the gospel of God, the human need for reconciliation with God. Paul points out several facets of the gospel: the work of justification in Christ, by faith, without the interference of the law; the action of the Holy Spirit in the salvation and formation of believers; the dual purpose of justification to form a new humanity, a multi-ethnic family of Jew and non-Jew; but above all he speaks of the importance of understanding the eternal plan of God which includes the promises made to the Jewish patriarchs and the inclusion of the Gentiles.

Explaining the gospel to the Roman Christians, was just describing the theological foundation of his strategic plan to Spain.

In chapter fifteen, Paul begins to state the reason for his desire to go to Spain. Paul talks to them about how Christ has manifested Himself through him so that Gentiles will come to obey God. Paul believed he had completed the proclamation of the gospel in the region where he was. Now he felt the need to move to other places where Christ had not been preached. That is why he wanted to take advantage of the trip and visit the believers in Rome on his journey to Spain.

Since her beginning, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church has been clear and certain of her call to global missions. We have moved from a small regional revival presbytery to a global movement in 17 countries. Our goal is to become a global and relationally connected denomination. We, as individual members, have been called to be partners in missions, by praying and financially supporting missions. The Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering is a means of providing salaries to our six missionary families: The Wilkersons in Colombia, the Pejendinos in Guatemala, the Guerreros in Brazil, the Lees in South Asia, the Jangs in the Philippines, and the Lopez family in Spain. Please consider donating to the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 MM

This issue of the Missionary Messenger was produced and mailed in a timely fashion.

We have no control over distribution delays at the hands of the United States Postal Service and pray the Postal Service will soon overcome their problems.

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THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS

M SPRING

2021

MISSIONARY MESSENGER {

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MISSIONS MINISTRY TEAM OF THE CUMBERL AND PRESBY TERIAN CHURCH

ART DIRECTOR Sowgand Sheikholeslami ext:211

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Milton Ortiz ext:234

PUBLICATIONS MANAGER Matthew Gore ext:221

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jinger Ellis ext:230

CONTRIBUTORS Johan Daza ext:202 Cardelia Howell-Diamond ext:264 Kristi Lounsbury ext:263 T.J. Malinoski ext:232 Milton Ortiz ext:234 Lynn Thomas ext:261

8207 Traditional Place Cor dova, T N 38016-7414 phone 901.276.4572 fa x 901.276.4578 m essenger @cu m berland.org VISIT US ON THE WEB

ht tp://cpcmc.o rg/m m To read the previous issues of The Missionary Messenger visit us at

http://cpcmc.org/mm/mm-archives MEMBER • Associated Church Press Made Possible, in Part,

By Our United Outreach.

Bible Study/Devotion

By T. J. Malinoski

AN EASTER MESSAGE FOR TITUS AND COMPANY Titus: 3:4-8

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying sure.

L

ike looking for an Easter egg under the Christmas tree, looking at the letter to Titus during Eastertide is a strange venture. The New Testament is chock full of gospels and letters attempting to communicate the actions and sayings of Jesus and they are all strategically placed at the beginning. Meanwhile the letter to Titus is practically hidden on a page and a half just waiting to be overlooked or skipped completely because of its brevity.

On

top of this, where was the password protection and encryption security in the first century for written correspondence? This letter was written for a specific person living in Crete, a beautiful island in the Mediterranean Sea with great weather, white beaches, and aqua blue waters, not a bad place to be sent by your supervisor to do God’s work.

However, reading the letter in its entirety feels like it was intercepted or discovered like finding old emails on a repurposed computer; like message intended only for the original recipient but read by others.

Despite its location in the New Testament, its brevity, and its intended recipient, the letter to Titus has good news which comes with Eastertide. Much of the letter is instructional for Titus: what good characteristics are found in a leader and how to conduct oneself (1:7-9), warning of those who may mislead (1:10-16), how and what to advise others (2:1-10), and how to handle conflict (2:8-11). These instructions make up much of the and body of the letter.

It is in the latter part of the letter Titus is reminded of the enormity of God’s love and grace embodied in Jesus Christ. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all… (2:11). The writer details more in the bringing of salvation as an act of grace and an act of mercy (3:5) which comes from the goodness and loving kindness of God (3:4). This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life (3:8).

The Confession of Faith for Cumberland Presbyterians reflects this verse in section 3.10: Through the Holy Spirit, people are able to acknowledge and repent of their sin, believe in Jesus Christ as Savior, and follow Christ as Lord. Believer’s experience Christ’s presence and guidance, which helps them to overcome the powers of evil in ways consistent with God’s nature and will.

The good news of Easter can be found in some interesting places.

We tend to keep our primary gaze on the four gospels for the ultimate unveiling of God’s mercy and grace in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Yet, we can find the Easter message of mercy and grace in a letter written to someone ages ago. How Titus responded to this letter one can only speculate but the question can be posed to us: the good news of Jesus Christ has been shared with and among us, how are we to respond?

Referencing the Confession of Faith for Cumberland Presbyterians again: The covenant community [that’s us] is responsible to give witness to the mighty acts of God in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (5.31). This responsibility is both our identity and our inspiration.

Our hands, feet, voices, and words travel to all kinds of nooks and crevices around the earth. Who knows where we might bring the Easter message? Our witness whether in body, voice, or words can venture into unique and wonderful places. Kind of like finding an Easter egg under a Christmas tree. MM S P R I N G 2 0 21

M ISS I O N A RY M ESS E N G E R 5

LET US CELEBRATE

175

YEARS OF GLOBAL MISSIONS IN OUR DENOMINATION

By Johan Daza

If

you are a Cumberland Presbyterian or a friend of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, you might have heard at least once that we are a missionary Church. If that is the case, perhaps you have heard this because one of the emphasis of ministry in our denomination is missionary work. It is important to clarify when we talk about missionary work, we talk about men and women, lay and ordained, Cumberland Presbyterian leaders, called by God to fulfill the Great Commission of making disciples across nations, cultures, and languages around the world.

This year we have the joy to celebrate 175 years of world missions in our denomination. And, to be honest, I am amazed with our rich history and the effort and commitment of particular groups of people that have not necessarily being the predominant ones in our human history. I want to take this opportunity to share a few examples and some of their contributions.

For instance, did you know our first Cumberland Presbyterian missionary was a freed slave? The Reverend Edmond Weir was freed that he might be first licensed and then ordained by Anderson Presbytery in Kentucky.

He became the first commissioned missionary serving overseas in 1857. He served as a non-paid preacher in Liberia starting in 1852 while working as a sheriff where his two older brothers lived. He returned to the United States in 1857 when he was commissioned as a missionary.

Unfortunately, the missionary work was discontinued in 1868 due to different factors including the social and financial impact caused by the American Civil War. Did you know that the Woman´s Board of Foreign Missions was formed in 1880 with the purpose to initially support missionary work in Japan? As a result of this 6 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R S P R I N G 2 0 21

effort, Miss Alice Orr and Miss Julia Leavitt became the first missionaries sent by the Woman´s Board of Foreign Missions. Their arrival was a blessing for their fellow missionaries. During the first three years of their commission, Miss Leavitt and Miss Orr focused on teaching English while learning Japanese. Foreign missionary work would not be possible without the ongoing commitment of the Cumberland Presbyterian Woman´s Board of Foreign Missions, the predecessor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Women´s Ministry today.

Did you know five Cumberland Presbyterian missionary families are from countries other than the United States? As a denomination we are grateful for all the American missionaries who have served in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in the past. We are also grateful to God for the current group of missionaries and their diversity of nationality and language. Today there are two American missionary families, and one missionary emeritus. Additionally, there are three Colombian missionary families and two Korean missionary families.

The Missions Ministry Team celebrates God´s work through the missionary work of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church around the world. We are convinced that God is calling new missionaries from the other Cumberland Presbyterian churches and ministries in the nineteen countries where the Cumberland Presbyterian Church is present. We want to encourage you to join us in this celebration by supporting the current and future missionary work of our denomination. For more information, please contact the Reverend Dr. Lynn Thomas, Director of Global Missions, at Lyndont@gmail.com. MM

TRANSNATIONAL MIGRATION AND ITS IMPACT IN

MISSION WORK

By Johan Daza

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pring 2021 marks ten years since we moved as a family from Colombia to live in the United States.

This journey has been an adventure in many ways.

Some aspects of my Colombian identity have changed and mixed with my American identity throughout the years. I have learned, in part, a second language (English), and adapted, in part, to some Memphian cultural traits. Even my Cumberland Presbyterian identity has broadened since I moved to Memphis in 2011.

As a Colombian American, I recognize that ministering among immigrant communities in the United States today presents opportunities for Cumberland Presbyterians to fulfill the Great Commission in our own backyard. To grow in our intercultural sensitivity as a denomination, there are many things to learn and many stereotypes to overcome regarding international migration, interculturality, and relationships with peoples from different national, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds living in the United States.

One expectation in the past was the assimilation of all foreign-born people into the nation. However, today, we need to recognize the reality of transnationalism from a cultural perspective. Many migrants preserve cultural aspects, including religion, from their country of origin while living in the United States. Around 75% of foreignborn people in the United States have lived in the country for more than 10 years.

Today, the process of migration has changed. Many migrants have lived in one or two different countries before coming to live in the United States. Many of them maintain deep connections and relationships with family and friends in their home countries and in other countries where they have lived. The cultural process of many transnational migrants involves living between at least two different worlds, two different languages, and two different cultures.

If we pay attention to the numbers today, we can see how tremendous the impact of transnational migration in the United States has been. According to the Pew Research Center, the foreign-born population residing in the United States by 2018 reached almost 45 million. The number of foreign-born people has quadrupled since the 1960s when the 1965 Immigration and Naturalization Act took effect.

By 2018, Asians represented 28% of the 45 million; then Mexicans with 25%; other Latin Americans with 25%; while Europeans and Canadians represented a 13% combined. If we combine Asians, Mexicans, and Latin Americans, we have around 75-77% of the foreign-born people in the United States. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church has ministered and planted congregations among some Latin American and Asian (Korean, Japanese, Chinese) communities throughout the nation but there is still much more to do.

Peruvian missiologist Samuel Escobar in his book A time for Mission: the challenge for global Christianity, (2003, p.3) recognizes that migration movements caused by economic change, allow Christians and churches everywhere to experience the rich and diverse expression of the Christian faith. Migration patterns and refugee movements have helped to bring a multiplicity of cultures as well as the different forms that the Christian church has taken among them to the United States, Canada, and Europe.

Elders Ian McDougald Escobar sees how many people from the majority world and Bryan Jordan being are living in large American cities. Many expressions of the ordained commission global church can be observed in the United Statesbytoday.

Many immigrant congregations in the United States have different liturgy flavors, uninhibited emotions in worship, maximum participation in prayer and worship, dreams, visions, faith-healing, and an intense search for community and belonging.

As Christians and Cumberland Presbyterians, we are grateful for our origin and roots. At the same time, we are grateful for what God is doing today through us in the United States and around the world. My prayer is that we can be increasingly sensitive to the different expressions of faith that Christians from different ethnic backgrounds are bringing to our denomination. And our work is to join our immigrant congregations in their effort to reach out to peoples from different nationalities who have not experienced Christ´s love in their lives.

For more information about how to support the immigrant ministries or learn about intercultural sensitivity training opportunities, please contact the Reverend Johan Daza at JDaza@cumberland.org. MM

Sources for this Article: Escobar, S. E. (2003). A time for mission : the challenge for global Christianity. Inter-Varsity Press.

Immigrants in America: Key Charts and Facts | Pew Research Center S P R I N G 2 0 21

M ISS I O N A RY M ESS E N G E R 7

Procrastination & Hesitation Will Not Stop Us From Worshiping

By T. J. Malinoski

Cumberland Road A Podcast For Cumberland Presbyterians

By T. J. Malinoski 8 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R S P R I N G 2 0 21

Procrastinate. We have all done it. Waiting until we can wait no longer to study for a biology exam, replace the smooth tread-less tires on our car, pay a bill we think is unjustifiably high. The ability to procrastinate has a sibling—hesitation. We hesitate before signing a long-term contract, before clicking “send” on a text message which could bemisconstrued, or before saying “yes” to a medical procedure. Hesitation is an innate human characteristic which has kept us safe, healthy, and alive for eons. Often, procrastination and hesitation get stirred and mixed blurring their distinct effects on our lives (I did the mental gymnastics of achieving both in the writing of this article!). We typically procrastinate because we do not want to do something. We hesitate because we are uncertain of an outcome.

Like school children fidgeting in their desks waiting for recess to begin, we are more than ready to break from the clutches of procrastination and hesitation in order to see and experience new things. This is most evident among Cumberland Presbyterians in having the opportunity to worship regularly. In some ways, 2020 and 2021 are wreaking havoc on worship opportunities. Worship cancellations, delays, and reformatting have stressed church leaders and worshipers alike. However, Cumberland Presbyterians are a very stubborn and cantankerous group of folks. We may procrastinate when we do not want to do something, and we may hesitate when something difficult comes into our path, but we have yet to fold our arms and anchor our heels when it comes to being able to worship.

Worship is central to us. When we cannot find places to celebrate God’s presence we create new ones. We are creating new worshiping communities for those who do not know Jesus Christ, who want to know more about Jesus Christ, and for those who already know Jesus Christ but are looking for a space to worship. Worshiping communities are meeting in small groups in people’s homes through virtual spaces like Zoom, Instagram, YouTube, Facetime, and Facebook Live. Worshiping communities are a conglomerate of church folk, family members, Sunday school classes, friends from school, campers, and youth groups. Worshiping communities include the young and young at heart; people who have not entered a sanctuary in years and people who have not missed a Sunday. Months ago, we might have said (with a tone of procrastination and hesitation), “Well, this is worship in the future.” Yet here we are emboldened by our circumstances and pushed by our desire to worship together creating new worshiping communities.

If you have been disputing procrastination and hesitation on gathering people for worship, guidance is here. Whether a worshiping community compliments what your church is already doing, or you are emboldened to start a worshiping community that reaches a whole new group of people, help is here. Or if you are wanting more information before taking the plunge into a worshiping community, please feel free to contact me at 901.276.4572 ext. 232 or at TMalinoski@cumberland.org. MM “Hmmm,” you might be thinking, “what is a podcast?” Think of a radio show you can listen to any time you like on your computer, tablet, or smart phone. Cumberland Road is a radio show, I mean “podcast” exploring a Cumberland Presbyterian’s faith journey with God and how it impacts their daily life. Ministers, church leaders, students, missionaries, and present and past General Assembly moderators have been guests.

There is a new guest each week but you do not have to tune in at a certain date or time to listen. Imagine, you can hear other Cumberland Presbyterians talk about how God is working in their lives through your phone, computer, car speakers, or headphones.

Sounds great, right?

Now you might be thinking, “Where might I find such an interesting and inspiring listening experience?” You can find Cumberland Road on such applications as Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or any of the many apps that host podcasting programs. You can also find Cumberland Road on its own landing page at https://cumberlandroad.transistor.fm/. MM

IN

the United States, many churches will begin the Holy Week with children entering the sanctuary waving palms to symbolize Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Maundy Thursday marks a day of lament and the ritual of partaking in the Last Supper as a congregation. Good Friday is a solemn day. Many churches lift their time of grief to hold egg hunts for the children on Saturday.

Bright and early on Easter morning, tired, but joyous, voices belt out “Up from the Grave He Arose” while watching the sun rise. During the regular Sunday worship service, new outfits and bonnets are donned while joy is celebrated and the words, “He is Risen” are heard in many voices.

So, what is it like to celebrate Easter around the world?

In Brazil, Priscilla Cerqueira (candidate) tells us, “Easter is celebrated as a memorial of the vicarious sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who is our substitute and our redeemer.” She continues, “we are not taught the pagan tradition of the Easter bunny. We focus solely on Jesus Christ as the Easter Lamb.” In addition, the children have a dinner and are taught the meaning of the Eucharist. Also, the church holds a Gratitude Service–a

By Kristi Lounsbury time dedicated to worship through various presentations by the children, youth, and adults of the congregation. The children and youth are given souvenirs to mark this special day. Priscilla enthusiastically states, “we love to celebrate Easter because Jesus freed us from the bondage of sin, and through his resurrection gave us hope of eternal life!”

The Reverend Nobuko Seki, pastor of Higashi Koganei (Tokyo), shares that the church has prayer meetings each day during Holy Week. During Lent, it is customary for people to try to save money by not drinking nor taking the taxi and by saving pocket change. The money saved is then given during the Maundy Thursday service which also includes communion. “On Easter Sunday,” Pastor Seki states, “services are held outside the

EASTER TRADITIONS AROUND

THE WORLD

church. It is often in a garden or a park. After the service is over, the adults hide eggs, and the children try to find them.” A special banner and beautiful floral arrangement decorate the sanctuary during the Easter season.

“The Philippines were a colony of Spain for around 400 years, so Roman Catholicism is the majority religion in the Philippines,” writes Daniel Jang, missionary to the Philippines. “The Roman Catholic’s practices have become Easter traditions for everyone. There is a superstition that children might not be cured of wounds if they get injured on Good Friday. So, children are prohibited from playing on Good Friday.” Daniel continues, “Guimaras is an island ten miles away from Iloilo City where we do missions. This island is well known for the play of Christ’s passion. Every Good Friday, local people stage the passion of Christ for almost three hours.”

Daniel states, “Protestant churches do not follow the Roman Catholic traditions. The churches tend to avoid excessive emphasis on Holy Week and Easter Sunday. They are afraid to be mistaken for a Roman Catholic. We, Cumberland Presbyterian Churches, usually try to deliver messages on the real meaning of Jesus’s suffering and crucifixion and salvation from a month before Easter Sunday. We want people to be free from superstitious practices and unsound beliefs from Roman Catholic traditions.”

Elizabeth Robateau, elder of the Living Word Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Belize, writes, “the church has a two-hour evening service on Good Friday. A movie like ‘The Passion of Christ’ is shown for everyone in the church and community. Sunday morning, the Easter morning service, is the same as always with praise music and the sermon.”

The Reverend Johan Daza, Director of CrossCulture Ministries, remembers “one common thing I observed while living in Colombia is that Protestant churches, non-Catholic churches, do not observe Lent as an important part of the traditions because Lent is something more Catholic. The emphasis for many Cumberland Presbyterian churches in Colombia is Holy Week starting on Palm Sunday. Holy Week is a great opportunity for special services such as revivals with evangelistic emphasis for two or three days.

Some congregations organize spiritual retreats for new believers on the Saturday before Easter.”

We are the global Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Many congregations. Many traditions.

One God. MM S P R I N G 2 0 21

M ISS I O N A RY M ESS E N G E R 9

OptIN

By Rev. Micaiah Tanck

OptIN is a church renewal program started in the Scottsboro Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Scottsboro, Alabama, by the Reverends Brian and Micaiah Tanck. Basically, OptIN is a ten-month program in which a group of 20 people (comprised of family units) commit to weekly meetings and experiments in faithful living. The thrust of the program is to practice faith, not just learn about it. The program guides individuals as they practice failure, practice telling their story, practice different prayer and service styles, and practice Christian fellowship. OptIN does not seek to give answers; instead, it works to provide a framework in which individuals and families are supported in experimenting with faith.

We are facing a difficult time in the church. Church has been relegated to a few areas of life: the “Big” Stuff, when medicine doesn’t work or natural disasters destroy; the “Spiritual” Stuff, alongside yoga and therapy, the church offers options for the soul; the “Nostalgia” Stuff, because Christmas doesn’t feel like Christmas without the Christmas Eve Service. With the idea of church limited to these areas, there is a shrinking relevance in daily life.

For the most part people aren’t mad at the church, they are simply apathetic.

OptIN revitalizes the church by revitalizing its impact in the lived experience of congregants.

Our next goal is to further develop OptIN as a resource for our own membership and as a resource for other Cumberland Presbyterian congregations. MM 10 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R S P R I N G 2 0 21

WHAT DOES THE SCRIPTURE MEAN FOR YOU AND YOUR MINISTRY IN 2021?

BRAZIL

By Josue and Sarah Guerrero

THE SPIRIT GUIDES US I must confess, for some years now every time I reflect on my ministerial life a wonderful and profound journey through the sacred Scriptures is activated in my mind. The interesting thing is this excursion does not end with reading the latest book in the Bible but continues at some later moment when I feel like a biblical character who is part of a real story.

Speaking of that journey through the Scriptures, I recall the night the Lord Jesus was with his disciples before his crucifixion. One of His main goals that night was to prepare them for the future. That night, He told them that it was necessary for Him to leave because the Holy Spirit would come and empower the Church to continue the expansion of the Kingdom.

I connect these words of Jesus with the historical moment recorded in Acts, when the Holy Spirit led the Church gathered in Antioch to set aside some men for a work to which He had called them. The Bible says that after fasting, praying, and laying hands on them, the Church sent them out.

At the end of this self-reflection, where I include my family, I am aware that our service is not recorded in the Bible, nor is it narrated in the history books of the Christian Church. However, I understand that our mission work is intertwined in the plans of the Holy Spirit. As missionaries of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, we received prayer, leaders laid hands on us, and we were sent. As a family, we sincerely believe that our ministerial history is being “written” and the Spirit guides us and will guide us for the work to which He has set us apart. MM S P R I N G 2 0 21

M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R 11

SOUTHEAST ASIA

GOD GIVES US HOPE & VISION FOR THE FUTURE

By David and Sarah Lee

The 2021 Ministry Plan for Cambodia is as follows:

(David and Sarah live in a country which does not allow Christian churches, for that reason we will not name the country.

They also travel frequently to Cambodia to work with another Cumberland Presbyterian church they planted.)

In X country, X Vision School is currently running, and English classes are set up to support eight elementary schools in cooperation with the education ministry of X government.

In addition, we are serving the Luammit CP Church with local disciples dedicated to the Lord, and are conducting discipleship training. The 2021 Ministry Plan will focus more on small-scale discipleship training and educational ministry in schools.

Currently, there are about 150 local people worshiping at Cambodia Samaki Church, and discipleship training is being conducted. In 2019, by God’s grace, the Mission Center Building was completely built. Originally, all preparations were completed to open the Cambodia Cumberland Vision School in 2020, but the opening has been delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic.

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The Cambodia Cumberland Vision School will be opened and kindergarten and elementary schools will be in operation. We plan to focus on discipleship training in the church and hold regular training for leaders, especially women. In addition, there are many churches and leaders in Cambodia which are not affiliated with any denomination and they feel the need for a theological education. They have requested help from us. We have already started small intermittent meetings with them. Since the spouses of local church leaders also need women’s leadership education, the Mission Center Building will be used as a venue for theological education for local church leaders. In addition, it will be used as a place for women leadership education and fellowship for their spouses. If those who attend are interested in joining the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination while having fellowship with us and receiving theological education through us we intend to pursue these opportunities.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic we all have encountered an unexpected and unfamiliar situation, but we trust and look to God who will give us hope and vision for the future. For the ministries we are involved in, we will humbly pray to the Lord with our local disciples. Also, we ask you to pray for us and our co-workers, the Cumberland family! MM

SPAIN

WE ARE GUIDED BY THE LORD

By Wilson and Diana Lopez

REFLECTION

We thank God that durng this pandemic and other mishaps God continues to support his Church. In this year, when there was sufferings and there were challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue with our missionary passion and vision without forgetting the question of our God: “Who will I send and who will go for us (Isaiah 6:8)? The story of the prophet Isaiah guides our response. We respond: “Here am I, send me” (Isaiah 6:8). Now more than ever, in the current world crisis we need to continue the challenge of missionary work. We labor in a world which is losing hope just as we see in the story when the disciples found themselves in the middle of a great storm. In the same way an unexpected storm surprised us. The disciples felt hopeless and woke up the teacher: “They came to him and woke him up, saying: - Teacher, Teacher, we perish!” (Luke 8:24).

Today we are in the same boat with the same need for the Teacher’s help. The world, more than ever, needs Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Only in the Lord is there hope. A hope that encourages us to continue missionary work. A hope strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit, which reminds us that this work is the Lord’s. We are collaborators in His work, prompted by the Holy Spirit and His power.

In this way we can continue with the confidence we are not going alone this year to carry out missionary work, but we are following in the footsteps of the Holy Spirit. We are guided by the Lord with a challenge that tells us the work has not yet been finished. God’s purpose has not been completed, there are still many to be reached, so the Lord tells us, “I, too, died and rose again for them.” MM

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M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R 13

GUATEMALA A MESSAGE OF HOPE

By Fhanor and Socorro Pejendino

During the production of this issue of the Missionary Messenger, The Reverend Fhanor Pejendino died of the COVID-19 virus. In honor of his ministry, we are leaving this article as originally written.

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Since the church began, the Holy Spirit has been the protagonist in missionary work. Missions was the command of our Lord Jesus Christ to his apostles to fulfill the great commission. From that point on, people like Barnabas, Paul, Peter, and all who have been sent by Him, were called and empowered by the Holy Spirit with power to testify about the gospel of the hope of eternal life. The task has never been easy, but it has always paid off. Even in the most difficult circumstances when the opposition has caused the death of the envoys, missions has served as a seed to bear much fruit.

Although times have changed and science and technology have increased, man is still a sinner and needs to hear the good news of salvation. Those of us who have been sent are only instruments in the hands of God. Even if we do not see results in the moment, the sown seed will bear fruit in the Lord’s time. We are not alone; God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The same Spirit which guided Paul and Barnabas is the one in our hearts to guide us during difficulties. 2020 allowed us to give witness to God’s love to many affected by the pandemic; we have always felt accompanied by the global church.

Thank you for your prayers and for your contributions to the missionary work. Now, 2021 will be a time of spiritual harvest in Guatemala. That is our hope. We hope that what we sowed in 2020 will bear fruit in 2021. We hope that the harvest will be so abundant we will lack sufficient hands for the harvest. 1 Corinthians 3: 5-9. MM

COLOMBIA

&

HOPE, JOY, PEACE

By Patrick and Jessica Wilkerson

The year of 2020 was difficult for everyone. Things were canceled, ministry looked different, school was online, and everyone tried to live life as normal as possible during a global pandemic. I learned from our experience in Colombia and from talking to family and friends around the world, that normal varies depending on where you live. What does not change is God, and there is where I find hope, joy, and peace.

We spent over half of 2020 in a strict quarantine set by the Colombian government. At first this was really hard, and we wondered if we were still serving God the way that we wanted; if we were still being the hands and feet of God sitting in our house unable to leave. As we ended the year in reflection, we realized that yes, even during a global pandemic, God was working, and we were just a small part of the body serving in the Kingdom of God. In many ways, this year was our most productive year as missionaries yet.

We, as a family, have agreed to a second three-year contract to serve as missionaries in Colombia. We hope that in 2021 we continue to grow in our language skills so that we can continue to build relationships here.

We hope the New Church Development started in our house continues to grow and continues to serve the community. We hope Emaús Presbytery continues to get stronger. We hope we can soon visit the US for our home assignment which was postponed due to COVID-19 so we can see our family, reconnect with churches, visit with friends, and of course eat at some of our favorite restaurants which we miss.

As a family, we hope we can continue to reflect on the ways God blesses us, that we find joy in these blessings, and find peace knowing we serve a loving God. MM S P R I N G 2 0 21

M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R 15

THE PHILIPPINES

BY THE GRACE OF GOD

By Daniel & Kay Jang

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We do mission work with the Cumberland Presbyterian Missions Ministry Team in Iloilo, Philippines. Our primary ministry on the mission field is new church plants. There were no CP churches in the Philippines until we began a new Bible study group in 2008. That Bible study resulted in the birth of the Iloilo Cumberland Presbyterian Church. We are focused on three ministries through the Iloilo CP Church. They are evangelism, leadership training, and care for needy children. By the grace of God, the Iloilo CP Church grew, and its growth led to more church plants around our city. We currently work with two churches and three mission churches with the help of national leaders.

All the CP churches are located around Iloilo City.

Another important missionary work we do is the Child Development Program. Through this program, we provide hot lunches to around 200 children in need.

We also give spiritual care to children in slum areas through Bible classes, academic help with tutorial study and school supplies, and physical care by providing food bags and vitamins.

We finished construction of the Iloilo CP Church in July, and we will finish a second building project, the Gracious Jesus CP Church, in early 2021. This church is the second organized CP church we helped plant. Construction projects are stressful, and these two church buildings have been more stressful for us amid the pandemic. It was a joyous day when we had the first Sunday worship in the new building. In November, we saw all the Iloilo CP church members praising God and enjoying worship in a new sanctuary; some cried with joy. It led us as missionaries to look back to all the tough days after the Iloilo CP Church was started as a Bible study. The Philippine nationals benefit from the sacrifices of the missionaries and the sending church. This is similar to the benefit we received when Jesus came to save us. We sacrifice so that others may benefit. We are privileged to participate in God’s mission and see His Kingdom expand through worship.

God filled us with joy and hope by allowing us to see the worship and joy of our brothers and sisters in the Philippines. We feel grateful to all the people who love and support missionaries. And, we are grateful to the Filipinos who have shown tolerance for our accents and our strange foreign behavior. We hope we will be able to better serve our neighbors in 2021. Together we will expand God’s Kingdom. MM

Celebrating the Life and Ministry of Missionary Fhanor Pejendino

By Lynn Thomas

The

Reverends Fhanor and Socorro Pejendino have served in Guatemala as Cumberland Presbyterian missionaries from March 2014 until the present. In early January 2021, while visiting family in Colombia, both Fhanor and Socorro became sick with the COVID-19 virus. Socorro recovered from the virus. Fhanor, after weeks on a ventilator, died February 2, 2021.

On February 9, 2021 the Missions Ministry Team, with the help of Socorro and their adult children, conducted two virtual worship services to celebrate the life and ministry of Fhanor Pejendino. One service was in English and the other in Spanish. Based on the numbers reflected on the live feeds, over 2,000 people viewed each service.

Fhanor Pejendino Arcos, his full name, was born in Palmira, Colombia. Palmira is just outside of Cali, Colombia.

Fhanor always had a smile, and even as a child he was disciplined and a good student. Fhanor moved to Manizales, Colombia, in 1975, a place that would change his life. He planned to be a civil engineer and enrolled in the National University of Colombia. While living in Manizales, he was introduced to Campus Crusade, where he professed his faith in Jesus Christ. As his life became more involved in the “faith” his interest also shifted. He became involved in the Manizales CP Church, he became a candidate for the ministry, and in the early-1980s became the church’s stated supply pastor (he was not yet ordained). He met his wife Socorro in Manizales, and they were married.

Fhanor and Socorro moved to Medellin, where Fhanor went to seminary and pastored CP churches in that area.

After seminary, he was ordained, and he accepted one of the largest CP churches in Colombia – the Armenia CP Church. In the early 1990s Fhanor felt God call him to church planting. He resigned from Armenia and moved to

Tulua, Colombia. There were no CP churches in Tulua. Over several years he helped develop leaders and started three CP churches in and around Tulua. Fhanor was also instrumental in promoting new church plants in other cities far from Tulua. He often traveled many hours by bus to get to those cities and help CP leaders develop their congregations.

In 2013 the Missions Ministry Team approached Fhanor and Socorro, asking them to consider being missionaries, knowing they were experts in church planting. Fhanor and Socorro, also an ordained pastor, accepted God’s call to move to Guatemala, as CP missionaries. In 2014 they moved to Guatemala. They worked in all the CP churches and missions in Guatemala. They helped guide the Guatemala Council of CP churches and helped with the hot-lunch program and the medical clinic. They hosted many shortterm mission teams. During the pandemic, they took food to needy families. They recently facilitated the purchase of a new building for the Comunidad de Fe Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Guatemala City.

Fhanor leaves behind three children, David – a teacher in Manizales, Carolina – a graduate student in Chile, and Daniel – a Bethel graduate who lives and works in McKenzie, Tennessee. Fhanor and Socorro have three grandchildren, Nicolas, Martin and Linda. We thank God for the life and ministry of Fhanor Pejendino. He was instrumental in starting churches and ministries that will bless people for years to come. MM S P R I N G 2 0 21

M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R 17

Cumberland Presbyterian Women's Ministry

INVITATION TO CONVENTION June 27 – July 2, 2021

Louisville, Kentucky

RISE UP

CONVENTION

2020-GA 2 0 21

By Cardelia Howell-Diamond

It is hard to imagine that Convention 2021 is just around the corner! We will be meeting June 29-July 1, 2021. I honestly cannot think of a better theme than our theme for 2021-2022: Rise Up! based on Isaiah 40:31 “But those who wait for the Lord’s help find renewed strength; they rise up as if they had eagles’ wings, they run without growing weary, they walk without getting tired.”

(NET) After the events of the past year and more worldwide, what a perfect time for a people called Cumberland Presbyterian to Rise Up! The Executive Council has been hard at work planning for this special time for women from across the denomination to connect with one another through study, song, prayer, fellowship, and fun! It is our current hope and plan that all these things will happen under the roof of the Galt House Hotel, an amazingly beautiful facility in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. I have no 18 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R S P R I N G 2 0 21

way of knowing as of writing of this article what social distancing and mask wearing protocols will be in place at the time of convention. Please make sure to check our website cpcmc.org/ wmresources-current for information closer to convention time. It is our desire to meet in person this year, however, we are also making plans to hold Convention virtually if need be. If 2020 taught us anything it is that we can be, and need to prepare to be, flexible!

Please make sure that your regions have selected delegates to Convention and that they register as soon as possible. Our offerings and gifts to projects this year will be collected during Convention. As a reminder our fall project was Stott-Wallace, and our spring project is furniture for the new missionaries to Spain. Also, be on the lookout for information about in-kind gifts to bring with you to convention. MM

CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN’S MINISTRY 2021 CONVENTION – RISE UP! – ISAIAH 40 :31

JUNE 27-JULY 2, 2021

LOUISVILLE, KY

Return your completed registration form and a check payable to Missions Ministry Team to Convention Registration, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016. If you register after May 1, the Late Registration fee (an additional $15) applies. A packet of information will be sent by email to those who register by JUNE 1st.

Questions? Contact Cardelia Howell-Diamond at chd@cumberland.org or call at 901-276-4572 ext. 264.

Name: _________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________ City: ______________________________ State: _______________________ Zip Code: ___________________ Telephone Number: ____________________________ Cell Number: _______________________________ Email Address: _____________________________________________________________________________ Congregation: ______________________________________________________________________________ Region: _____________________________________________________________________________________ Registration Information: Additional information will be taken at Convention.

______ Regional Delegate ______ Youth Delegate ______ Minister ______ This is my first time at Convention Fees & Meals:

Please indicate the number of tickets or fees you are paying in the blank in the left column; calculate the total cost in the right column. ______ Registration - $45 $ ______ - by May 1 ______ Late Registration $60 $______ - after May 1 ______ Regional Delegate Luncheon $ 26 $ ______ - Regional Delegates ONLY (Monday, June 28, 12 noon) ______ Luncheon- $35 $ ______ - Thursday, July 1, 12 noon

Entrée selection choose one per ticket ______ Smothered Pork Chops ______ Parmesan Crusted Chicken ______ Vegetarian ______ One day only registration $ 20 $______ ______ I would like to make a donation to the $______

Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Total $______

Information about our special project and workshops will be in upcoming notifications and in our Registration Packet which you will receive in May. You Are Responsible For Making Your Own Hotel Reservations: Call the Galt House (800) 843-4258 or register online Use code “Cumberland Presbyterian GA” Group for registration Room rate $149 plus taxes Executive Suite Rate - $179 plus taxes Cut-off Date for reservations May 13, 2021 S P R I N G 2 0 21

M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R 19

Second Mile Project CLERGY CRISIS FUND – PROJECT #35004

This past year was one of challenge, hardship, and struggle for many people, including our CP churches and pastors. We had to learn how to worship in a variety of different contexts and how to care for one another without being physically present. Most churches and pastors have met these challenges and more to continue to proclaim the Good News that Jesus is alive and active in our world.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken, and will continue to take, a huge toll on our pastors. Like their members, many pastors have been infected by the corona virus. We have lost a few ministers to the horrors of this disease.

Some pastors struggle with personal finances as giving to churches has decreased. Some pastors are dealing with

depression and anxiety related to living through and serving a congregation during a global pandemic.

The Clergy Crisis Fund will be needed more than ever before in 2021. We began to see evidence of this in the last quarter of 2020, as we exceeded the Clergy Crisis Fund $6,000 annual budget by $1,500. We are appealing to the church to help provide additional funds for the coming year.

Financial Data:

Amount Needed from Second Mile: $20,000.00

Contributions:

Please make check payable to the Pastoral Development Ministry Team indicating for project #35004 and mail to 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414.

For More Information:

Contact Pam Phillips-Burk at pam@cumberland.org, (901) 276-4572 ext. 203.

For more information about all of these projects go to cpcmc.org/missions/2nd-mile.

SUBSCRI BE NOW Subscribe to the award winning Cumberland Presbyterian magazine for news of the denomination, helpful articles, and fascinating features and save up to $168 off Cover Price!

One year (11 issues) for $25.00 One year 1st class, $42.00 Two years (22 issues) for $45.00 Three years (33 issues) for $61.00 Add one year of digital access for $10.00 One year of digital access only $18.00 The Cumberland Presbyterian 8207 Traditional Place Cordova, TN 38016-7414 FOR IMMEDIATE SERVICE SUBSCRIBE ONLINE:

cumberland.org/resources

INFORMING & ENTERTAINING CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIANS

SINCE 1829!

Gam Sing Quah, China

John & Joyce, Colombia

Buddy & Beverly Stott, Japan For more information and resources visit our website at http://cpcmc.org/mmt/.

Cumberland Presbyterian Church / Missions Ministry Team

Julia Leavitt, Japan

8207 Traditional Place Cordova, TN 38016-7414

America McCutchen Drennan, Japan

HOPE OF THE PAST HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

Boyce & Beth Wallace, Colombia

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. ©2021 Missions Ministry Team ADDRESS CHANGE: send new address and label from a recent issue 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. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: THE MISSIONARY MESSENGER, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414.

RELATIONAL MISSIONS

THE MISSIONS BOOK

This Is A Textbook For People Interested In Mission Theology, Understanding Cultures, And Understanding Effective Mission Practices, From The Perspective Of Relationships. Relational Missions Looks At All These Areas Through The Lens Of Forming Transformative Multicultural Relationships.

If You Want To Read About Mission Strategies And Practices From The Cumberland Presbyterian Perspective, This Is Your Book.

You Can Find Relational Missions At The Cumberland Presbyterian Resources Center:

www.cumberland.org/resources.

There will soon be Spanish and Korean translations for CPs who prefer these languages.