Prayers for those who serve

Let’s begin with a word study. In the Old Testament the word qûm and ‛ūr in Hebrew mean “to cause to arise,” “to awake,” “stir up” (Ezra 1:5; Isa 41:2). In the New Testament the chief words are egeírō and anístemi: “to awaken,” “arouse” (Mt 3:9; Lk 1:69, 3:8), frequently of raising the dead. In many instances the verb qûm refers to preparatory activity, e.g., “rising up” which entails the end of such action: standing.

It is also interesting to note that the word qûm is frequently used in martial contexts. It refers to preparation for (Jud 7:15), engagement in (Ex 2:17), and victory in war (or struggle, Josh 7:2). Sometimes, qûm connotes anticipated or realized victory. Notably in the Old Testament narratives when God engages in combat victory is certain. Thus the word may denote God’s creative and saving action and often the suffering and the oppressed beseech God to rise in their behalf.

Rise to Life beckons for our response: What does it mean to follow Jesus in the world today? This calls us to discern God’s creative action from the side of the marginal and to affirm that Good News was preached to and from the poor. Indeed, it reminds us that we are together in mission to “stir up” with Jesus and with each other.

Rise to Life invites us to be a witness to God’s creative action in the community of grace and truth where all life, systems and relationships are redeemed, transformed and realized in the love of God. It reminds us that we are together in mission, mutually upholding each other in our struggle as well as in celebration.

Rise to Life calls us to prepare for and engage in God’s creative action in the midst of all injustices and life-destroying forces in the world so that our life and work as a family of CWM bring change rather than just preserving interests and assets. This act of rising to life reminds us that we are together in mission to dismantle all forms of inequalities that exist.

Rev. Julie Sim Mission Secretary, East Asia & South Asia

Partners in Mission Visit CWM General Secretary

From left: Rev. Dr Li Hau Tiong and Mrs. Hsu Su-Fen (Partners in Mission), Rev. Julie Sim (Mission Secretary - East and South Asia Regions) and Rev. Dr Jooseop Keum (CWM General Secretary) Jooseop in conversation with Hau Tiong and Su-Fen, Partners in MissionJooseop in conversation with Hau Tiong and Su-Fen, Partners in Mission

Partners in Mission from the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) now serving with the Presbyterian Church in Singapore (PCS), Rev. Dr. Li Hau Tiong and his wife, Mrs. Hsu Su-Fen, visited the General Secretary of CWM in February 2022.

They are the first partners to visit the General Secretary amid the pandemic.