3 minute read
Navigating the Mission Course
By Faithlyn Stephens, Partner In Mission (PIM) in Guyana Congregational Union (GCU)
When I discerned God’s call on my life to serve outside of congregation ministry, I had no idea what this service should be. However, I prayerfully sought His divine guidance and took the relevant actions to ascertain the response. Mission service in Guyana! “Hello, God, Guyana is certainly not a place that is anywhere near my radar; nonetheless, if You say so, I will go.” And I went.
Facilitated by Council for World Mission (CWM), I landed on the shores of Guyana under the clear skies of a brilliant Sunday night, to serve in mission at Guyana Congregational Union (GCU). In spite of being duly briefed on the content of my assignment, I was unaware of the nature or extent of the task which awaited me. I quickly learned that church is a creature of its culture and context, so I first and foremost had to adjust to serving in a ‘different kind of church.’ After diligently assessing the terrain, with a blank page and pen in hand, I presented myself at God’s throne of grace in fervent prayer and commenced my work.
In my role as Administrator/Executive Assistant, I helped GCU to upgrade the church’s administration and operations functions, as well as, trained the Administrative Assistant to assume the role of Administrator/Executive Assistant at the end of my tenure. An integral component of the assignment comprised coordinating capacity development training for leaders and members in the church’s various areas of ministry. I also identified and highlighted the critical need for the church to embark upon a programme of transformation of the clergy and its mission focus, and actively encouraged this change.
I am currently engaged in a new role as Programme Coordinator for GCU’s Mission Support Programme (MSP), funded by CWM. The aim of the programme is to transition GCU from operating in the mode of maintenance ministry to ‘missional congregations.’ This encompasses delivery of leadership capacity development training for the whole people of God for holistic mission, as well as, managing the logistics for construction of a new secretariat and renovation to the retreat centre and Clarkson Congregational Church. Giving oversight to mission projects which fall within the ambits of the MSP and ensuring that the entire programme is completed on time and within budget are also elements of my work.
Mission service is a journey – God prepares you, equips you, calls you, sustains you. No journey is without its challenges; but, each test along the way has further strengthened my spiritual resolve and relationship with my God. Zechariah 4:6 is a constant source of comfort and encouragement for me: It is not by human might or power, but by His Holy Spirit that God accomplishes His purpose. God is forever faithful, so long as His children remain obedient to Him.
This mission engagement has truly exemplified the concept of partnership. My sending church, the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands (UCJCI), has supported me in my mission engagement in Guyana through many different modalities. UCJCI has, also, been accompanying GCU in various ways, as the church treads the path of transition from maintenance ministry to ‘missional congregations.’ GCU has been personally supportive of, and cooperative with, me as I serve, while CWM facilitates the relationships among the partners. To God be all the glory!
May our Creator, Redeemer, Friend continue to bless and sustain the CWM family, member churches, mission partners, ecumenical partners and support partners as together we serve in His earthly vineyard, towards a world of life-flourishing relationships among all human beings. May each of us seek to personally experience the Almighty with a fresh perspective during this unprecedented pandemic season, so that when it shall have passed, we will rise to new life “In His Service.”
GCU Developing Missional Congregations Resource Team – Faithlyn is fourth from right
