Missionary Messenger
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Istmina Cumberland Presbyterian Mission In Colombia
2017 Gift to the King Offering
G I F T Istmina Cumberland Presbyterian Mission
to I the
K i N G By Milton L Ortiz
“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts…” Matthew 2:11 NIV
The Gift to the King Offering will be used to help the Istmina Cumberland Presbyterian Mission with their first worship center. Istmina is a municipality and town in the Chocó Department in Colombia. The Choco Department is known for its large Afro-Colombian population (82%) and for having one of the lowest standards of living in of all of Colombia. The Istmina Mission was started in 2015 as a prayer group in the house of a family that attended “Sendas de Libertad” CP Church in Medellin. Istmina is a 9 hour drive from Medellin. The Istmina congregation has an average Sunday worship attendance of 100 participants in two services, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Istmina also has Bible studies each Wednesday and Thursday for fasting, prayer and discipleship. Friday follows as a day for evangelism with Saturday focused on children and youth. All of these activities are conducted in the
home of the Lopez-Murillo family, who have modified their house to accommodate the growth of the mission. However, their house is not large enough to accommodate the needs of the congregation. The Istmina Cumberland Presbyterian Mission is ready to purchase a place of their own that can be an appropriate worship center. Your Gift to the King Offering will go a long way in this impoverished area of Colombia. The congregation will not only have a place for worship and fellowship as a church but will be able to serve the community around the worship center. In the past, many people, including whole families, were displaced because of violence and guerrilla groups. Over the years, many people have returned now that the circumstances have changed but the needs are still strong. The worship center will become a center of peace and service to all. MM W I N T E R 2 017
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Contents 6 Istmina Cumberland Presbyterian Mission
8 Cuba Our Newest Mission Field
11 Encouraged In Medellin
12 Cumberland Presbyterian Asia Youth Gathering
15 Cumberland Presbyterian Women’s Ministry
18 From Birth To Rebirth
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Cover and Poster Illust ra tion: Sowgand Sheikholeslami
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MISSIONARY MESSE NGE R 3
PERSPECTIVES By Milton L. Ortiz
“They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him.Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.” Matthew 2:11 MSG
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the Hispanic world, January 6th is called “Día de Reyes” (Day of the Kings). On this day Christians celebrate the day when the wise men following the star to Bethlehem arrived bearing their treasured gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the Baby King. In some Hispanic countries, “Día de Reyes” is when children receive their Christmas gifts. Epiphany is also considered the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the wise men. The question for us is why we need to bring gifts to Christ? In our relationship with Jesus we tend to see him as our savior, our deliverer. The wise men were not looking for a savior; they were looking for a king. It was a common custom to present gifts to royalty or to the one destined to be a king. Certainly, Christ is our savior, our deliverer, but also our king. When we think about the gifts presented by the wise men, we need to consider the value of them for a king. That will help us to understand how much value this year’s Gift to the King Offering will have for a congregation in one of the most impoverished areas in Colombia. This issue of the Missionary Messenger exalts Jesus as our king and savior. His birth and the profound influence in humanity is present in our lives. This has been a year full of opportunities to serve our Lord and to enjoy being in ministry. The Asian Youth Gathering was a tremendous experience. Cuba is a new frontier and a mission field. As a denomination we have had the opportunity to respond according to the needs and difficult situations many people experienced after the natural disasters in the USA and in other countries. It was a blessing to dedicate a new church building in Cambodia. Still we keep looking for the future, discerning God’s way for ministry, and moving ahead for other opportunities for ministry. I am so excited about this issue of the Missionary Messenger and I hope you’ll get excited too. Enjoy! MM
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MISSIONARY MESSENGER {
VOL .6 , NO.4
MISSIONS MINISTRY TEAM OF THE CUMBERL AND PRESBY TERIAN CHURCH
ART DIRECTOR Sowgand Sheikholeslami EDITORS Milton L. Ortiz ext:234 Pam Phillips-Burk ext:203 Lynn Thomas ext:261 T.J. Malinoski ext:232 Johan Daza ext:202 COPY EDITOR Jinger Ellis ext:230 8207 Traditiona l Place Cordova, T N 38016 -7414 phone 901.276.4572 fa x 901.276.4578
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Bible Study/Devotion
By Milton L. Ortiz
THE BIRTH OF JESUS Before Christmas, Jesus was with God, and He was God. He was with God in the beginning. Then, according to the Gospels, the sequential events of His birth were as follows:
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he birth of John the Baptist was promised to Zachariah, and Elizabeth conceived 6 months before Mary. The angel Gabriel appears to Mary, about 9 months before the birth of Jesus and discloses to her that she was to become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus. Soon, Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth and stays with her for 3 months until John was born. After Mary returns to Nazareth, Joseph discovers she is pregnant. While Joseph was considering a way out so Mary would not be disgraced, he has an angelic dream. He is instructed about what to do: get married because Mary’s pregnancy is by the Spirit of God. She will have a son and at that moment he will name him Jesus: “God saves, because he will save his people from their sins.” Some time before Mary’s ninth month of pregnancy, the Roman emperor Caesar Augustus ordered a census. Everyone had to travel to his ancestral hometown to be counted. Joseph took Mary and traveled from Nazareth in Galilee up to Bethlehem in Judah, which was about 10 days of walking. As soon as they arrive, the time came for the baby to be born. During the night, Mary gave birth to her first born, a son. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger because there was not room for them in the inn. In the area, there were sheepherders watching over their sheep. An angel appeared to them and the Glory of the Lord blazed around them. The angel said to them: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing: “Glory to God is the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word what had been told them about
this child, and all who heard it were amazed. Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. Some days after that, Joseph found a more worthy place to house the family. On the eighth day after his birth, the baby was brought to the temple to be circumcised according to the law, and officially received the name Jesus. Thirty days later, on the fortieth day, Mary and Joseph took the child with them to Jerusalem, for Mary’s purification according to the law, and to consecrate Jesus to the Lord as is written in the law, and to offer a sacrifice of a pair of doves or two young pigeons. Also at the temple, there was a man called Simeon. Simeon took the child in his arms and praised God. The child’s parents were speechless and surprised at Simeon’s words. Simeon also blessed them. There was also a prophetess, who arrived while Simeon was praying. Anna gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all whom were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Some time before the child’s second birthday, while still in Bethlehem, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. The priests and teachers of the law answered, “In Bethlehem in Judea.” Then Herod called the wise men secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. After that they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another way. When they had gone, after a dream from the Lord, Joseph took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt because Herod was going to search for the child to kill him. When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the wise men, he was furious, and gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and in its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. After Herod died, Joseph is ordered in a dream to return to Nazareth with the young child and his mother, this was to fulfill what was said through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.” MM
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ISTMINA CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN MISSION A New Church Development of Emmaus Presbytery, Colombia
By Rev. Dr. Josue Guerrero
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The Cumberland Presbyterian (mission) work in the municipality of Istmina, is located in the Chocó Departmentakin to a state in the Pacific Coast of Colombia. Most of Chocó’s low-lying region is a lush, dense jungle. The climate of Istmina and Chocó is that of a tropical rainforest. About 82% of the population of Chocó is Afro-Colombian. In the past, many people in Chocó, including families, were forced to displace due to combats between guerrilla groups and neo-paramilitary groups. This was a fight to control locations for cocoa cultivation, processing and commercialization, and mechanized small-scale gold mining. When the Lopez-Murillo family opened their home in Istmina for a prayer group in 2015, they didn’t imagine how this group was going to grow and become a congregation. Yeison Lopez and his wife Sara Murillo were members of the “Senda de Libertad” CP Church in Medellin but returned to Istmina after things changed in the area. As soon as the session of the mother church in Medellin saw the progress, 6 MISSIONARY MESSE NGE R
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they named the couple, pastors of the new mission work. They are now candidates for the ministry under the care of Emmaus Presbytery and students of Program of Alternate Studies-Colombia. This mission has been supported by the session of the mother church, and Rev. Guerrero, pastor of “Sendas de Libertad” CPC, and leaders of the church travel regularly to Istmina (about 9 hours drive) to evaluate the progress of the mission, preach the word and minister the sacraments. The group has grown in such a way that the congregation has two services on Sunday, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon; on Wednesdays is a Bible study; Thursday mornings there is a prayer time and members can fast if they choose to, afternoon there is discipleship for new believers; Friday, members are invited to participate in evangelistic activities in the community; on Saturdays there are activities for children, youth and young adults. During the week there are also two opportunities
for cell groups. All of these activities are conducted in the home of the Lopez-Murillo family, who have modified their house to accommodate the growth of the mission. However, their house is not large enough to respond to the needs of the congregation. The attendance of the mission consists of about 50 children and 50 adults. The income of the mission is provided by the congregation (20%), the mother church in Medellin (40%), and Emmaus Presbytery (40%). This mission has a great deal of enthusiasm and commitment to continue their development toward being an organized church in the near future. Currently, Emmaus Presbytery is leading a campaign to raise funds to build a sanctuary for this ministry. The 2017 Gift to the King Offering will support this initiative and the donations will be used to build a worship center in Istmina, Chocรณ. MM
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CUBA 8
W I N T ER 2017
Our Newest
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By Lynn Thomas
In June 2017
the Missions Ministry Team staff with Cuban born CP pastor and wife Ramon and Loida Garcia from Grace Presbytery visited Cuba to explore the possibility of CP expansion into Cuba. In August 2017 the Missions Ministry Team approved forming a council of CP churches in Cuba. A council is a first step toward the long range goal of forming a future presbytery. Three pastors and their churches were accepted as provisional pastors and are now members of the council of churches. A provisional pastor and church are independent and agree to a process of assimilation which takes years of training and orientation. The council format provides a platform to coordinate training provisional pastors and helps them experience what a presbytery is like. The following are snapshots of Cuba and our new work in Cuba:
Mission Field
CLASSIC CARS AND BUILDINGS – The first impressions upon arrival in Cuba are shaped by the classic American cars. Cars from the 1950’s are abundant; some showing considerable age and Continued on next page:
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disrepair while others polished and restored. All of them are taxis. The streets of Havana are Continued from last page: lined with similarly classic buildings from a bygone era They are ghosts of a more prosperous time; one has to imagine what they looked like in their glory days. Some are literally crumbling; others in need of repairs and paint. Cuba, after the communist revolution in the 1950’s and resulting embargos, became locked in the past. Only in recent years can Cubans now own property. As a professor at the University of Havana explained, “healthy change comes slowly.” THERE ARE PESOS, AND THEN THERE ARE PESOS – Cubans live in communist socialism. A professional and a store clerk both make about 25 US dollars a month. They are paid in Cuban pesos, which is the currency of Cubans. Tourists change their money into “convertible” pesos upon their arrival. Which are not the pesos Cubans receive when they are paid. “Convertible” pesos work in hotels, tourist restaurants, and stores for tourists. The result is two separate economies, one for the Cubans and the other for visitors to Cuba. CUBA IS A PARADOX – When visiting Cuba be prepared to hear and see lots of propaganda about the revolution, free medical care, free education, no racism and no poverty. The message is the revolution brought freedom and security to Cuba. Yet on the streets one receives a different story. The doctor on the street sells key chains to make extra money. He explains he makes more on the street than as a doctor. The university professor, a single mother, tells about cleaning Airbnb homes at night to make money to take care of her daughter. Airbnb homes are rented by homeowners to tourists. Her professorship pays less than one US dollar a day. So who is paying for Cuba’s free medical services and education? 10 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R
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THE CHURCH – Cuba is open to the Gospel. The Gospel is preached and has been preached for many years. The organized church suffered after the revolution, but in recent years things have improved. House churches and evangelistic outreach are unrestricted. Bibles can be bought, training for Christian leaders can be found, pastors and church leaders can meet, and groups can gather to worship and learn. The government does allow churches to form associations of churches. This being said one does not see large numbers of church buildings. It is difficult for churches to buy property. The church buildings seen are often pre-revolution buildings. As a result of individuals having the opportunity to own property the Church has moved into the homes of pastors and leaders. In an attempt to control the Church by limiting its ability to own property and build churches, Cuba may have actually fanned the flames of the Gospel by pushing it into homes. ATTRACTION TO THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH – One pastor shared how being connected brings integrity, “We need order to help us avoid problems of control and manipulation.” The pastors we spoke with see the Cumberland Presbyterian Church as an opportunity to connect to a larger family. The pastors that met with Missions Ministry Team staff shared their experience of being isolated and alone. As one explained, “Heaven is a place of order and unity and the CP Church is trying to bring God’s Kingdom to Cuba by gathering us into their family.” The CP Church is an expression of God’s Kingdom in Cuba, bringing order and unity to those that are disconnected and alone. Pray for Cuba. The years ahead are exciting and challenging. MM
Encouraged in Medellin By Rev. Patrick Wilkerson
understood us. I’m so thankful that we have a living God that has given us living scriptures that meet us where we are and provides for us in special times when we need it the most!
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Can you remember the last time you read scripture and you connected with it on a meaningful spiritual and personal level? I remember our first month after we arrived in Medellin, Colombia. It took us a little over two weeks to get an apartment. We were so excited and couldn’t wait to be in our new home. A place we had dreamt of for a long time. One morning, Jessica and I were sitting on the floor because we were still waiting for our furniture to be delivered to our new apartment drinking the famously delicious Colombian coffee. We started reading scripture together as our girls played in their bedroom. In this moment we read a scripture that we felt like fully described our current state, and we connected with a scripture we had read many times in a new way. This time was different. This time it moved us. We felt like we understood, or better yet, that God was present and
That memorable morning we read Romans 1:8-17. Paul is writing to the Romans and speaks of his desire to visit and to be with them. He tells them that their faith has been spoken about where he is and that he prays for them. He prays that God will bring him to them because he wants to encourage them in their faith. He tells them he wants to grow in his own faith by their encouragement. He reminds them that he has wanted to come but has been prevented by other things but he feels a strong pull to them so he is eager to come preach and grow together.
Currently, we continue to study the language, visit our churches and missions in the Medellin area, and try to build relationships so when our Spanish improves we can continue the great work we feel our family has been called to by God. We thank you for all your support in getting us here. We covet your thoughts and prayers as we continue to transition into a new culture as a family. We ask that you join us in our constant prayer to learn and be able to use the Spanish language in a way that we can only give God glory and praise for our understanding. Dios Te Bendiga (God Bless You), Patrick. MM
Those were our exact feelings about Colombia. We had a strong desire to be in Colombia but had to wait for certain doors to open and close. All the churches we visited before we left, we felt honored to share of the faith and work happening in Colombia and we eagerly wanted to be a part of it. We don’t always understand exactly what God has in store for us here in Colombia but we just want to encourage the old and new Christians here and help provide new opportunities in new places for people to grow closer to God. In all of this, we know that we will learn so much from our Colombian brothers and sisters about the workings of God. In fact, we already have!
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2017 CUMBERLAND
PRESBYTERIAN
ASIA YOUTH GATHERING By Johan Daza
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I cannot find a better way than Psalm 133 to describe the 2017 Cumberland Presbyterian Asia Youth Gathering (AYG). It was good and pleasant to see 160 Cumberland Presbyterian youth, young adults, and adult participants from Japan, South Korea, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines and Hong Kong living together in unity in Tokyo during a five day event focused on fellowship and getting to know each other better. All the countries mentioned above have different cultures, languages, religions, politics and social conflicts. The Cumberland Presbyterian family is honored to have members in all those countries being Christ’s voice, hands and feet for their contexts. Youth from these countries gathered to share their own experiences of faith in their home countries. Being gathered in itself was encouraging. All the participants were intentionally speaking English in order to communicate with one another. Being there was an opportunity to hear from CP brothers and sisters about what being Christians clandestinely look like in some Asian countries that are closed to Christianity. This was an eye opening experience for all the participants. Learning that Christianity in Japan is less than 1% of the population including Catholics and Protestants was an opportunity to reflect about how difficult it is to understand that in western Christianity around 70% of the population of the United States considers themselves to be Christians. Listening to the challenges of being the Church in the midst of serious political tensions, where any political position or opinion can divide your congregation and push away church members due to different political perspectives was an opportunity to discern about how our own political opinions based on our faith can harm other Christians if we do not pay attention to what is essential in our faith. There were many reasons to pray for one another. Worship services were meaningful and reminded all of us the importance of having Christian friends and living in unity in the midst of a vast diversity of contexts. Small group reflections were honest, mature and safe spaces to learn from one another, be encouraged, listen and be supported. It was a glimpse of God’s people living together in unity. Here are some reflections from different Asian Youth Gathering (AYG) participants:
Sina Thong CAMBODIA
The most meaningful things about the Asia Youth Gathering 2017 for me were that I saw a great new generation coming through the Asia Youth Gathering with hopeful hearts. We learned how to share our hardships and encourage each other in God’s family. We experienced the company of brothers and sisters from different nations who
challenged us to move forward for the next generation. We obtained honest and faithful communications through our voice in God. We realized that we are a real Cumberland Presbyterian family. Surely, we understood that the Gospel moves not just in our country but around the world. And we would like to have this AYG continue in other countries via Gospel movement and challenging our faith, hope and love. God bless you.
Yuki Inou, AYG Coordinator
JAPAN
The most meaningful thing for me about the 2017 AYG was to gather together at the same place. Maybe that sounds like a simple thing but I felt there were a lot of challenges and difficulties to overcome in order to come together. That is what I and AYG staff members were preparing for AYG. One of the most difficult challenges was related to visa procedures for participants whose country is closed to Christianity. Thankfully, visas were granted on August 1st just two days before the Asian Youth Gathering. There were also financial challenges for internationals coming from some countries. This was not visible on the surface but there must be the historical challenge between Japan and Asian countries. Under normal circumstances, it is difficult to gather together all of us at the same place at the same time. But we gathered. I felt and I still believe that this was God’s guidance. For this generation, it is important to connect with each other beyond the borders between countries and our faith in Jesus Christ can do that.
Princess Bonete
PHILIPPINES
After the 2017 Asia Youth Gathering, I realized the purpose or the most meaningful thing about it was Christ bringing us together to learn from each country and unite us as one Church and one family. Despite the different nationalities and the language barriers, we came to Japan to gather and to get to know each other and learn from each other’s point of view through workshops and other group gatherings. In my case, I had a lot of realizations during AYG. The one that stands out was from one of the delegates of Laos. It was inspiring to me and it opened my eyes to so much more realizations on my spiritual life. The delegates from Laos live their faith in secret, hidden from the public, because it is prohibited by their law. Yet they are still continuing to serve God and their ministry even though they don’t have the freedom and it’s very unsafe. They could be sent to prison if they get caught, but they are very determined to serve the Lord despite all of the complications. While some Christians in the world neglect the opportunity to worship and serve the Lord and work on W I N T E R 2 017
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SHORT
REFLECTIONS Lee il do KOREA Kamino Kazoku (God’s family) Asia Youth Gathering theme song was great! Thank you AYG! Mercy Lam HONG KONG
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the ministry publicly and freely. We have all the freedom to proclaim our faith to the public and be a living testimony or touch others’ life and to share the goodness of the Lord. Yet we don’t even prioritize our ministry and our walk with God. Many times we tend to participate in worldly things, in what’s trending or whatever our generation is into. We don’t even exert that much effort for the Church to reach out to others when we have all the freedom to do so. I pray that a lot of young people also realize that one of the most important lessons that God has taught or reminded us during the Asia Youth Gathering is to remember His words in Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” And also in Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. Let us instill it in our minds that if we put God first, we will never be the last.
Mirai Senko
JAPAN
I was so moved when I sang as a praise leader on stage. It was so amazing that the CP Churches’ friends came together, sang together, shared our prayer requests and served God. Thank you God!
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Lucelle Eslabon Yutig
PHILIPPINES
AYG has made a big impact on my life. I praise God, His love has bound us together. I do believe before the sight of God we are all equal, no more Japanese, Filipino, Korean, Laotian, Cambodian, Chinese, American or any other ethnicities. We are all children of God. Amen.
Vann Ratha
CAMBODIA
I am impressed by God’s grace to be part of the Asia Youth Gathering and see the unity from people from each country here to praise God together freely and happily. This experience opened my eyes wider and gave me strength to serve God more. It was a very wonderful program to connect the whole wide world of Christians. Give thanks heartily to God Almighty. From a Laotian participant I was so glad to be part of the 2017 AYG. This was my first impression of being one in a big family in Christ. I am so thankful for every one (leaders of Japan CP Church) who welcomed me well. I got to know what I never knew before, I got to see what I never saw before in the progress of the church’s leaders and church’s members in Japan preparing everything for other CPs from other nations. Thank you! MM
The most meaningful thing was to share with CP Christians from different countries. Heat Sinet CAMBODIA God’s Grace full for we are in Jesus’ family Zandra Aitana Mae Villareal Perez PHILIPPINES Despite our language differences, we are still united and got the chance to know each other! Hikari Otsuki JAPAN I felt the unity of the CPC in Asia and God’s power! God is great! And we are great!! I love all of you! Jung Bok Hyoun SOUTH KOREA Asian CP people met, I was so happy. God blessed the CPC in Asia. Thank you Japanese CP Church for the Asia Youth Gathering.
Looking Ahead:
Above from left:
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN’S MINISTRY
YCPW Retreat 2017, Arianna Whaley, Emily Trapp, Mary McCaskey Benedict; Ashlee Payton Lanier, Karley Cornelius, Jennifer Colvard-Davis; Brianna Fettig, Kelsey Hayes.
By Pam Phillips-Burk
Retreat for Young CP Women February 16-18, 2018 Camp Clark Williamson, Humboldt, Tennessee Don’t miss this opportunity to gather with your sisters from across the Church for a weekend getaway to worship, study, play and serve. This will be the third year for the Young Women’s Retreat and it has grown stronger each year. Please share this information with those in your church and presbytery. We are especially interested in those young women who are not yet plugged in to denominational or even presbyterial activities. This retreat would be the perfect setting for those young women to build some beautiful and lasting relationships.
If your church or group would like to sponsor a scholarship for a young woman to attend we would be much appreciative. We keep the registration costs low in an effort to encourage greater participation. We also look for groups that would be willing to serve as meal hosts for the retreat. Please contact Abby Prevost if you can help with either one of these important needs or if you have more questions: abbyprevost@gmail.com, 270/889-1985.
Below from left:
YCPW Retreat 2017, Erica Beals, Brittany Herring; Brandi Herring, Crystal Wilson. Latina Retreat 2017, Lidia Aguiar; Participants at Camp McDowell.
Retreat for Latinas March 16-18, 2018 Camp McDowell, Nauvoo, Alabama Please join us in prayer as we plan for the second retreat designed especially for Latinas. Last year’s retreat was amazing beyond all expectations. Over 50 women attended this first-ever retreat designed specifically around their needs and interests. The entire event was in Spanish and the presentations were centered on concerns relevant to them. In fact, the women had such an amazing experience they requested an additional night! This retreat model was used at another event this past fall with the Ebenezer CP Church in Chicago, Illinois.
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Ebenezer is the oldest U.S. Hispanic congregation in the CP Church. There has been interest expressed to do a similar retreat in south Florida with the CP churches in that region. This is an exciting ministry that is just getting off the ground. Please pray with us as we lay solid groundwork for a growing ministry. If you would like to offset some of the expenses for this upcoming retreat, we would welcome that support. You can make your check payable to Missions Ministry Team and mark it “Latina Retreat” (mail to 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016). MM
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IN 2018 WOMEN’S MINISTRY HAS SEVERAL OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR JESUS THROUGH FINANCIAL GIFTS: Car for Missionaries Daniel & Kay Jang The Jangs spend a great deal of time on the road in very rough terrain. They provide leadership and support to 6 churches, which includes 5 pastors, 3 licentiates, 4 candidates and around 400 members. They also minister to several weekend hot lunch programs. So, it is essential that they have dependable transportation. (#34026)
By Pam Phillips-Burk
CP
Women’s Ministry has many different purposes, endeavors and targets. It is an organization that is over 135 years old. Many groups are still organized around some of the original goals of that early institution, focused primarily on missions, and specifically missions outside the United States. Throughout the years, Women’s Ministry has broadened its focus to include missions within the United States. Recently, Women’s Ministry has evolved into an organization that focuses not only on missions but also on prayer, Bible study, service, outreach, and fellowship. Some local and regional groups concentrate on one or two areas while other groups try to focus on a variety of interests in an effort to engage many different women into the ministry. One area to celebrate is missions and outreach.
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In the immediate past program year, CP women together raised over $22,475 for projects and Convention Offering (Missionary Furniture $7,681; Sacred Sparks $3,704; Building a Promising Future $11,090). Various women’s groups gave over $30,000 to the Stott-Wallace Missionary Fund (and that was just the ones that selfidentified as a Women’s Ministry group either local or regional). All of this was above and beyond any contributions women made to Second Mile Projects, the Membership Endowments or special offerings and projects in their own local churches and communities. The reality is that Cumberland Presbyterian women give and give generously. Thank you for your consistent, sacrificial giving each year. Lives are blessed by the love of Jesus through your ministry. MM
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FROM LEFT:
Athala Jaramillo, Faith Parra and Jose Garcia at Camp Israel Folsom
Lawn Mower for Camp Israel Folsom Choctaw Presbytery has a twenty-acre camp that is used for presbyterial events and activities. Church camp is often a sacred time and space for many young people in their spiritual growth. Current repairs and maintenance have been falling on individuals and congregations within the presbytery. The camp budget and presbytery budget is not large enough to replace the mower without outside assistance. This is where CP women can offer assistance. (#34027)
Building A Promising Future This is a ministry in Guatemala designed to raise awareness about domestic violence through educational training programs in schools. The Convention offering has gone to support this new ministry for the past two years, with one more year in the campaign. The curriculum has been taught in 3 different schools with various grades. The school administrators and faculty have been trained, as well as parents. There is also an interest in the program from other countries in Central America. Building a Promising Future achieved non-profit status in 2017. Cumberland Presbytery women can be proud of their efforts to provide the seed money for such an important ministry of peace and reconciliation. (#34051)
THANK YOU
Cumberland Presbyterians CA R E Thank you for your giving to the 2016
Loaves and Fishes Offering. The offering totaled $76,622.69 which was used to start a hot lunch program in the schools connected with the CP Council of Churches of Haiti. No sooner than the program got up and running, Haiti was hit by Hurricane Matthew. It has been a struggle to recover but the members are determined to share the love of Jesus with their communities by sharing the Gospel and a hot meal. Thank you for your
2016, Jacob and Lindsey Sims and their family were deployed to Brazil. In July of 2017, Patrick and Lindsey Wilkerson and their family were deployed to Colombia. For more information about the StottWallace Missionary Offering Fund visit cpcmc.org/mmt/sw. Thank you for your support of the One
Great Hour of Sharing Offering (OGHS) on Palm Sunday. This ecumenical offering was established in 1949 with the goal of joining efforts to alleviate the pain and suffering caused by disasters, conflicts, and On behalf of severe economic CPs around the world hardships around the and in the U.S. who have world. Seventy-five benefited from the giving percent of the offering is of many we say sent to Church World Thank You – Service, the official sponsor of the offering. Arigato (Japanese) The remaining 25% is kamsah hamnida used in support of (Korean) ministries of compassion do jeh (Cantonese) on Cumberland Presbyterian fields of khob chai (Laotian) service within the US. It obrigado/obrigada is because of your giving (Portuguese) to this annual offering muchas gracias that the Cumberland (Spanish) Presbyterian Church was able to send much salamat po (Tagalog) needed emergency funds Asante sana to First Church Houston (Swahili, Uganda) and Nueva Vida CPC in
giving to the 2016 Gift to the King Offering, which goes to help begin new churches in the United States. The offering totaled $25,770.78 providing seed money for two explorations/new church development initiatives – one in Williamson County, Tennessee (Columbia Presbytery) and another one is Casa de Gracia in Hialeah, Florida (Grace Presbytery). We are partnering in prayer with interested pastor/ planters for additional explorations. To add in this process of discernment a Church Planter Retreat was held in November of 2017. Seeds will continue to be planted and take root through this effort. Thank you for your giving to the Stott-
Wallace Missionary Offering Fund celebrated on Pentecost Sunday. This fund was established to pay missionary salaries and benefits. You gave $213,724.06 (from 1/1/17 – 9/30/17). Through your consistent giving to the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund the Cumberland Presbyterian Church has 17 missionaries in 7 countries. In December
Houston following Hurricane Harvey and Beth-El Farmworker Ministry in Florida following Hurricane Irma. In 2017, your giving to OGHS was $13,964.70 with $446.88 going into the Disaster Relief Fund after material and postage expenses. Thank you also for your additional giving
in response to the horrible disasters that occurred in Haiti, Mexico, Houston and Florida. Disaster Relief funds have been received totaling $143,142.34 which will help people in the US and around the world begin the long journey of recovery. MM
SAMAKI CP Church By Lynn Thomas
What an exciting day! On September 3, 2017 a delegation of CPs from Japan, Laos, and the US shared in the dedication service of the new Samaki Cumberland Presbyterian worship center in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The beautiful building was made possible by donations from the Samaki CP Church members, Gift to the King Offering, Builders Fellowship, and individual donors W I N T E R 2 017
from the US and South Korea. The dedication service enjoyed a packed house with children and adults in worship to our Lord. The Samaki CP Church is one of the largest churches in the capital city of Phnom Penh. The members of the church were thankful and thrilled to have a new church building that announces to all around the Good News of Jesus Christ. MM
M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R 17
FROM BIRTH TO REBIRTH
T
By T. J. Malinoski
The journey for the travelers in Matthew 2 may have very well been long and arduous, battling changing weather, changing geography, cultures, languages and behaviors. Inevitably they may have changed as well. There is no way to travel without
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” ... Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:1-2, 7-11 New Revised Standard Version
being exposed to and influenced by time, culture, geography, and people. They must have exhibited a resourcefulness and determination in the face of so many obstacles. Yet, their gifts contained an unselfish message of devotion, love and grace.
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W I N T ER 2017
We, as Cumberland Presbyterians, also have a message to share. It is inked in every Confession of Faith nestled on our bookshelves, cradled in a hallway drawer, tucked in the back seat of our cars, left on church pews, or lying next to our Bibles and Sunday school books. Individually, we are “to love and glorify God
and to love and serve our neighbors” (4.18) and as a Church, “we exist to reach out to those who have not experienced God’s grace in Christ, and to nourish them with all means of grace” (5.29). We must make full and constructive use of the message we already possess. We must work assiduously and with a determined boldness to love, to serve, to share and to nourish humanity with all means of grace. We can do this; being equipped through our worship and study and being motivated by a true sense of caring for individuals. We must not let our past accomplishments drive us into a state of contentment with the mediocre. We must not let our bitter frustrations relinquish the desire to do good. We must show love, mercy and walk humbly with our God. We must not let our resentments of long-ago hurts and fear of the unknown become a crippling paralysis. We must not let our quest for self-preservation blur our eyes and deafen our ears to civil and ecclesiastical injustice. Yes, the existence of sin and the struggle with sin continues. We are imperfect in knowledge and power to do God’s will. Our freedom to trust, love and serve God and neighbors is compromised by our distrust, hate and selfishness. But let this struggle drive us even closer to rely on God. I know you may be thinking, when will animosity within our Church, in our nation, and in our world diminish? When will the Cumberland Presbyterian Church realize its full potential? When will the mission of the Church become more important than its distinctions and divisions? When will retaliation, disillusionment and angst be replaced with peace, hope and grace? I cannot give an exact date but I am certain that the Cumberland Presbyterian Church is changing with the ingredients for dramatic growth and maturation.
THIS YEAR,
I have witnessed Cumberland Presbyterians carry the heap of responsibility of family, work, school and church life with grace and beauty.
I have witnessed the spectacular movement of two denominations raise their eyes to a future where two churches can become one.
I have witnessed people sacrificially respond to tornadoes, fires, floods and earthquakes sharing their gifts that all may find the means to rebuild and repair.
I have witnessed the young and the young at heart answer the call to the ministry of the word and sacrament, pouring themselves out in preparation for ministry.
I have witnessed dutiful judicatories, steadfast committees and enthusiastic small groups striving to respond to theological and social issues pertinent to the Church.
I have witnessed young Cumberland Presbyterians who consciously choose to spend a week or weekend devoted to exploring their faith and relationship with God in service and fellowship.
I have witnessed new churches gather in living rooms, around kitchen tables, in florescent-lit basements, and converted garages to worship, study and pray.
I have witnessed professions of faith; new people becoming members of a Cumberland Presbyterian congregation and others expressing interest in joining the Cumberland Presbyterian family.
I have witnessed blissful weddings, joyful baptisms and emotionally moving communion services.
I have witnessed Cumberland Presbyterians create a new presbytery, commission new missionaries to a bountiful mission field and advocate new ecclesiastical understandings of mission expansion.
I have witnessed ministers perform the duties of their office splendidly and sacrificially; driving great distances and laboring long hours to provide comforting words to the sick, the dying and the hurting.
I have witnessed presbyteries take a scrawny, emaciated budget and yet skillfully provide medical insurance, camping opportunities, mission work and education to its members.
I have witnessed congregations go through the difficult task of discernment; seeking God’s calling for their continued ministry and applying experience, patience and faith for the future.
I have witnessed church sessions make complex decisions to change leadership, start new ministries, resolve conflict and encourage participation in the life of the congregation.
Y
Yes, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church has accomplished so much this year with its resourcefulness and determination that far outweighs angry passions, deep disappointments and
uncertain fears of the future. We can be optimistic that our
Church has a vitality that is launching us into the threshold of a new year. We have directly been a part of a marvelous unfolding of 2017 and are entering into a new year with vast possibilities. We are only limited by our willingness to imagine
and to faithfully proceed onward. Like the travelers journeying to see the Christ Child born in Bethlehem, full of excitement, determination and resourcefulness; may we too, embrace Christ in our living, our traveling and in our ministries. MM W I N T E R 2 017
M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R 19
SECOND MILE PROJECTS Brazil – O Caminho “The Way” – Project #34440 Our new missionaries in Brazil, Rev. Jacob & Lindsey Sims, are ready to start outreach by using a storefront in Salvador, Brazil. They are renting a storefront in a new office/retail building to use for outreach programs. They plan to do women’s meetings, men’s meetings and English classes as a way to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Our missionaries report that the space where they are renting has a great location in the Stella Maris community. Interestingly, the name of the building is O Caminho Center, which translates “The Way Center.” This second mile project is asking for donations to cover the cost of renovating the space to function as a meeting place for the CP mission work in Brazil. The Second Mile funds will buy chairs, tables, paint, and an air-conditioning unit. The financial goal is $5,000. Amount contributed to date is $200. For more information contact: Lynn Thomas at lynndont@gmail.com, (901) 276-4572 ext. 261. Missionary Car for Daniel & Kay Jang – Project #34026 Daniel and Kay Jang, Iloilo (Philippines) live on an island and the roads are not the best, so they need a small SUV type car that is high off the ground. They are constantly on the move taking care of various CP churches located in different areas of the island of Iloilo. The Jangs moved to Iloilo in 2008 and in less than 10 years have planted 6 CP churches. In addition, they administer several weekend hot-lunch programs that provide food, Bible classes, and health/hygiene classes to many children. All of this depends on their ability to get to these locations. Your donation would be an investment in a resource that makes it possible for our missionaries to do the work of the Church. It is a tangible extension of our ministry as Cumberland Presbyterians to the Philippines. The financial goal is $7,000. Amount contributed to date is $1,764.57. 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. 20 MISSI ONARY MESSE N GE R
W I N T E R 2 017
Lawn Mower for Camp Israel Folsom – Project #34027 Camp Israel Folsom is a Cumberland Presbyterian camp located within Choctaw Presbytery in Oklahoma. Approximately twenty acres were purchased in the late 1960’s to provide a place for spiritual growth, renewal and introduction to the Christian faith for Cumberland Presbyterian youth, adults and members of the surrounding area. The current need is a new lawn mower to maintain the property. The camp budget and presbyterial budget are not large enough to replace the mower without outside help. It is important to maintain this much-used property for continued ministry in spiritual growth and faith development. The financial goal is $13,000. Amount contributed to date is $245.30. For more information contact: Pam Phillips-Burk at pam@cumberland.org, (901) 276-4572 ext. 203. Convention Offering – Building a Promising Future – Project #34051 This project is designed to raise awareness about domestic violence in Guatemala through educational training in the schools, churches, and communities. Educational programs will be established in local schools and connections made between the schools and the new Cumberland Presbyterian churches being organized in Guatemala and other locations in Central America. The creation of a unique Cumberland Presbyterian ministry called the Center for a Promising Future will be established to provide ongoing education about domestic violence, advocacy work, and the prevention of violence and abuse in Guatemala. It will also serve as a launching point for expanding the ministry throughout Central America. Funding Schedule: · First year (Convention 2016) - $5,000 – Total received $4,821.59. · Second year (Convention 2017) - $10,000 – funds will be used to expand the program into more schools, to train local teachers and leaders to implement the program, and to begin setting up the Center. Total received $11,472.08. · Third year (Convention 2018) - $20,000 – funds will be used to establish the Center in Guatemala and secure necessary resources to plant this Cumberland Presbyterian ministry of reconciliation and hope firmly in the soil of Guatemala and Central America.
MISSIONS MINISTRY TEAM
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
• FOR MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT HTTP://CPCMC.ORG/MMT/
• 8207 TRADITIONAL PL ACE • CORDOVA, TN 38016 -7414 • 901.276.4572
K i NG
TO
THE
POLICY: THE MISSIONARY MESSENGER is published for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church by the Missions Ministry Team. Opinions expressed by the individual writers are not necessarily those of the publisher or the editors. THE MISSIONARY MESSENGER does not accept advertising.
ADDRESS CHANGE: send new address and label from a recent newspaper to the Circulation Secretary at the address below. THE MISSIONARY MESSENGER (ISSN 08868344), (Publication permit number: PE14376) is published quarterly by the Missions Ministry Team of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414. Periodicals postage paid at Memphis, Tenn. The magazine is sent free of charge to each household in the denomination.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: THE MISSIONARY MESSENGER, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414.
EVENTS
DISCERNING GOD’S WAYS FOR MISSIONS This is a retreat for members of presbyterial Board of Missions and others who are interested and enthusiastic about missions in their local church and presbytery.
DATE: FEBRUARY 9-10, 2018 WHERE: ST. MARY’S SEWANEE RETREAT CENTER, SEWANEE, TN (just outside of Chattanooga) FOCUS SCRIPTURE:
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9 (NIV) Through presentations, conversations, worship, and other activities you can learn more about missions in the CP Church. You can also discover ways to become better engaged in mission work, and ways to assist your congregation in looking beyond your own front door into the wide mission field of God’s expansive world.
OUR HOPE IS EVERY PRESBYTERY will send at least one member of their Board of Missions (or its equivalent) to this retreat. Not a member of a presbyterial Board of Missions? No problem! We encourage anyone to attend who has a heart for missions and wants to see that love and commitment grow in your own church or presbytery.
COST: Ranges from $65-$145 depending upon room type. Register online at https://cpcmc.org/mmt/mmt-retreat/.