M M
SUMMER 2016
Missionary Messenger
WHAT CAN
I DO TO HELP? PAGE 8
WHAT A NEW
CHURCH DEVELOPEMENT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CAN LOOK LIKE. PAGE 10
SHORT-TERM
INTERCULTURAL INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY PAGE 16
MISSIONS IN SALVADOR, BRAZIL PAGE 14
LISTENING TO THE
SPIRIT’S CALL YOUNG WOMEN IN THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH PAGES 18-19
DOCTOR’S OFFICE
SCHOOL M
MINISTRY PARTNERS
RY
T IS
IN
• Coalition for Appalachian Ministries • Project Vida • National Farmworkers Ministry • Beth-el
PA
ER
N
RT
BACKYARD PARK
!
O
G
Cumberland Presbyterian Church Missions Ministry Team 8207 Traditional Place Cordova, TN 38016-7414 901.276.4572 For more information and resources visit our website at mccpc.org/mmt
G
COFFEE SHOP
• Loaves and Fishes • Gift to the King • One Great Hour of Sharing • Stott Wallace
GROCERY STORE
SEASONAL CAMPAIGNS
NATIONAL FARM WORKERS MINISTRY
Notes:
G O
“Let’s go outside where Jesus is, where the action is. . .” Hebrews 13:13
!
GO!
O
!
First, we are called to a vibrant, authentic WORSHIP where praise flows from our lips. The writer is encouraging his listeners, then and now, to become fully engaged in a life-changing worship experience. He didn’t describe worship styles or music genre. He didn’t say it had to be traditional, or contemporary, or blended. He simply said that words of praise to God should flow from our lips – to whatever tune, beat, or genre that speaks to our hearts. And this worship is not just a “Jesus and me” experience. The engaging and authentic worship that he is writing of will bring us into relationship with other believers. It is only in COMMUNITY, where our hearts can truly sing in full harmony with praise to God, our Creator and Redeemer. The one thing that will pull this community together is our common love for Jesus Christ and his sacrificial love for us. Lastly, the result of such a harmonious worshiping community is inevitably MINISTRY. We go to the streets, the prisons, the strangers, the neighborhood, the refugees, the schools, our marriages and relationships, our families, our kitchens and living rooms, and yes, even our churches – sharing the love of Jesus with all we meet. Some of these places may be familiar to us, while others may be new and strange. Regardless, we are called to GO! Cumberland Presbyterians are on the go. As we worship and pray together may we truly embrace the richness of God’s presence, in and around us. As we meet together may we remain open to all people from all walks of life and seek ways to include all in our community of faith. And lastly, as our community grows and flourishes, may we continue to get outside our churches and into the world that Jesus calls us to embrace with abundant love and compassion.
OUO
COALITION LIBRARY SHOPPING FOR The concepts of Worship, Community and Ministry were gleaned from the “Theological MALL PerspecAPPALACHIAN tives” of Gray Temple in Feasting on the Word, Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary, Year C, OUR MINISTRY UNITED Volume 4, Westminster John Knox Press, 2010.MM OUTREACH
O G
! SUPER STORE RESTAURANT
L A S N N S O IG A PA SE M A C
WORSHIP • COMMUNITY • MINISTRY
BETH-EL FARM WORKER MINISTRY
BAKERY
This one sentence is also nestled in the middle of a chapter focused on three things:
PHARMACY
AIRPORT
G
This one sentence is packed in the middle of a passage focused on temple worship and animal sacrifices. In short, the letter-writer of Hebrews (whom many believe to be the Apostle Paul even though he does not identify himself as such) is telling the people that while worship is good and important, we are called to take our worship beyond the temple, beyond the sanctuary, and out into the world. Paul tells us to “GO” where Jesus went – into the world!
NEIGHBORHOOD
PROJECT VIDA
We are a people on the go! We are constantly on the move. We go to work, school, or church. We go to the supermarket, the movies, or the dry cleaners. We go on vacations, to hospitals, or doctor’s offices. We go to volunteer at the food pantry, the animal shelter, or the library. Much of our going is necessary and good. Some of our going is simply mindless motion. The challenge from Hebrews is to encourage us all to make our actions, our motions, and our goings count. Let’s go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is.
O !
HOSPITAL
by Pam Phillips-Burk
G
GO!
Hebrews 13:1-16 “So let’s go outside, where Jesus is…” Hebrews 13:13a (The Message)
MM
Missionary Messenger
Contents page 14
Feature Stories 8 9 10
What Can I Do to Help? The Unimaginable Intercultural Experience of Visiting a Cross Culture Church Sharing the Love and Good News of Christ What a new church developement in your neighborhood can look like.
11 14
A New Church Developement in the Making Missions in Salvador Brazil
2 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R S U M M E R 2 016
15 16 17
Go!
Short-term Intercultural Internship Opportunity
More Than a Craft Shop CAM is About God’s Love for the People of Appalachia
18−19-
Listening to the Spirit’s Call
Young Women in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church
20
The Peoples Table
pages 18-19
page 15
M
M
SU M MER 2016
Columns 4−5 6
PERSPECTIVES /
Can You Find Dorcas?
MISSIONARY MESSENGER {
V O L.5, N O.2
}
BIBLE STUDY /
12−13
Giving By Faith Versus Just Giving. ON THE COVER:
Second Mile Projects
GO
VISIT US ON THE WEB
http://cpcmc.org/mm
To read the previous issues of the Missionary Messenger visit us at
http://cpcmc.org/mm/mm-archives
S U M M E R 2 016 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R 3
PERSPECTIVES By Milton L. Ortiz
M
M
A CALL TO GO TO THE WORLD
For
many, the understanding of Hebrews 13:13 to go outside the camp, is a call to quit the legal ceremonies from the Old Testament or to separate themselves from this sinful world. I remember the face of a woman asking me after I preached at a church I was visiting about my emphasis in the sermon. “What do you mean when you said that God is present not only in the four walls of the church but in the world at large?” I tried to explain to her that God so loves the world that Jesus came to die for the world and that the Holy Spirit moves in the world convincing people of sin. So, the Spirit is busy in the midst of sinners. Hebrews is not a calling to separate ourselves from the world. Jesus didn’t ask the Father to take us out of the world but to guard us from the Evil One.
She was
SU M MER 2016
MISSIONARY MESSENGER {
V O L.5, N O.1
}
MISSIONS MINISTRY TEAM OF THE CUMBERL AND PRESBY TERIAN CHURCH
well-known for
GO where Jesus is, were the action is. It is difficult to believe that spiritual things happen outside of the Church, in the world. We are called to preach the gospel and to serve the needy. Growing up in Colombia it was easy for me to see what the preaching of the gospel was all about, and serving the poor was part of that expression of the gospel. But sometimes it makes it difficult to serve those who are not interested in our church or in the gospel of Jesus Christ but still are people in need to see Christ’s love through our actions and attitudes. Over the years, I have felt the challenge to value the opportunities we have to feed the hungry and to help the oppressed, to offer a smile or a friendly attitude toward a person that is not ready to attend my local church or not ready to hear about the good news of salvation. Still we are called to witness in the world.
doing good and helping out.
Acts 9:36
The Message
This issue of the Missionary Messenger focuses on being a community that worships and a ministry on the GO. In local churches or in places like the Cumberland Presbyterian Birthplace Shrine. Preaching the gospel at all times including when serving the poor and those in need. Church could look something different in our neighborhood than what we have experienced in the past. And members in our churches could look different too and speak a different language. But the truth is that opportunities to serve or support financially will always be available here at home or overseas. The Church continues its ministry with new missionaries for the mission field and opportunities of intercultural internships in the USA. Exciting news about new programs with young women and new church developments are also expressions of the Church on the GO. MM
ART DIRECTOR Sowgand Sheikholeslami
EDITORS Milton 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 Traditional Place Cor dova, T N 38016-7414 phone 901.276.4572 fa x 901.276.4578 m essenger @cu m berland.org
PRINTER A1 Printing Memphis, Tennessee MEMBER • Associated Church Press
4 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R S U M M E R 2 016
SUMMER
WORSHIP AT BIRTHPLACE by PAM PHILLIPS-BURK
S
ituated within Montgomery Bell State Park in Dickson, Tennessee is a stone chapel. During the summer months this chapel is home to a weekly Sunday morning worship service. The Reverend Lisa Cook serves as park chaplain during the summer and leads the weekly worship. This will be the third year that the Cumberland Presbyterian Church has benefitted from her unique ministry and skills as a chaplain and pastor. Each week she never knows who will show up for worship – whether there will be 2 or 10 or 20 worshipers. There are a few “regulars” from the neighboring community outside the park. There are often visiting Cumberland Presbyterians who stop by for worship on their way to other places. There have been a few
dogs who come to worship along with their owners. So, it is a unique congregation. Lisa will visit the campground on most Saturday afternoons to introduce herself to the campers and park visitors and invite them to worship. She says that this one-on-one ministry is vitally important to the worship experience. While visiting with folks, or at some point during the weekend, she will tell the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in relation to God’s story of Good News. If your travels take you through Middle Tennessee this summer make plans to drop in for a visit for worship. Services are held at 9:00am from Memorial Day through Labor Day. You may contact Reverend Cook at sacredsparksministry@gmail.com. S U M M E R 2 016 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R 5
Bible Study
HEAVEN ON EARTH Matthew 25:34-46
By REVEREND MICAIAH TANCK
IN
the early 20th Century, a new emphasis began to emerge in Christianity. This emphasis was a response to the never-before-seen levels of poverty, disease, exploitation of workers, and orphaned children born of the industrial revolution. The poor were drinking water downstream from where factories spewed chemicals. 12-hour shifts were common. Wages were minuscule and there were far more workers than jobs creating a high level of unemployment. As the church looked out its doors onto this disastrous situation, it heard Christ’s call to care for the least and poor in its midst. This spawned the Social Gospel movement. This movement has taken on a life of itself, spreading into a host of social justice movements, and many emphases in the modern church. 6 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R S U M M E R 2 016
The Social Gospel was a movement that sought to address the needs of the poor and exploited in the midst of the Industrial Revolution.
ASK - How have you heard the “Social Gospel” used? How would you define it? The Social Gospel is an emphasis that the Church should be making people’s real-world living situations better. This would include feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, housing the homeless, and providing education. • What are some current emphases of the Social Gospel in your church? Be specific. • Are there topics you think the Church should be talking about more?
Bible Study READ - Matthew 25:34-46 • According to the text, how are we supposed to care for the hungry, thirsty, naked and imprisoned? • Does it seem like Jesus is too harsh when he describes how he will treat those not caring for the thirsty, naked, and imprisoned? • Are there ways to care for the thirsty, naked, and imprisoned that make the situation worse? For example, should you give money to a homeless person if you are not sure about how they will spend that money (ie: alcohol and drugs)?
Preach the Gospel at all Times A quote often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary use words.” This phrase is often mobilized to describe the Social Gospel. The most important thing we are to do is to feed, clothe, teach, etc. Passages like this one in Matthew could certainly be read to suggest the importance of this. The assumed implication is that words are usually not necessary. • What do you think? • Should missions (both local and abroad) focus on evangelism (proclaiming the word of God) OR should it focus on the Social Gospel (meeting the needs of the poor and hungry)? To prioritize one aspect of the gospel over the other is to miss the point. The Good News is that God “so loved the world.” Because God loves his children, he does not want them to starve or be without shelter. Additionally, God’s love extends to our souls, and because of that, we are tasked to evangelize. If we have the world, but we don’t know God, then we won’t inherit eternal life. If we know God, but refuse to serve our neighbors in need, then I would argue we don’t really know God and the extent of His love. The complexity that arises for the Church’s mission is not a question of whether or not the Church should be pursuing justice. We should. The Social Gospel is important. The issue is when the people of God assume they know what justice is without learning from God first. The issue is when Social gets disconnected from Gospel. Social justice is considered good in itself, without God teaching us what justice looks like. Social justice is a humanitarian effort. The Social Gospel, however, is not. It is seeking to do God’s will on earth as it is done in heaven. God’s justice may not look like what we want, it may not feel fair, but it is an expression of creating God’s kingdom on earth. Proclaiming the word of God and serving those in need is how we create God’s kingdom on earth.
“Creating Heaven on Earth” Activity Take a sheet of paper and on one side draw: things on earth
right now that will not be in heaven. (ie: violence, weeping, death, disease, sin, selfishness, famine, warfare, homelessness, hunger, etc.) Once you have drawn several things that will not be in heaven, take some time and write a short prayer over each drawing, inviting God’s mercy into this world. Example: A drawing of homelessness. Creator of all life, We long for the day when we will all worship you together in your house. We remember that many currently live without any home, and we ask that your mercy be upon them, and that your Spirit be in us to make us the hands and feet to serve our brothers and sisters who have no home. In Christ’s name, Amen.
“Going” Forward Talking about creating heaven on earth won’t actually create heaven on earth. Actions must be taken. Our study’s theme is to “GO!” With that in mind, choose one thing from your list or someone else’s and find a way to get involved in your community (you may already be involved in this area). For example, I want to help tutor children who are disadvantaged and struggling in school. After you have chosen one area you want to get involved in, write out two or three concrete action steps that you can take to move forward. Don’t aim for the stars. Be realistic. If you are already involved, that’s great. What does the next step look like for you? • For example, I will call _______________ school and find out what they have in place for tutoring disadvantaged students. I will offer to tutor 3/per month. OR, if you are already involved in a tutoring program, your next step might be to invite a friend to volunteer with you!
Conclusion To preach the Gospel at all times is to both proclaim the good news that God is reconciling the world to Godself. And, it is to serve those around us who are hungry, naked, and imprisoned. When we serve like Matthew 25 asks us to, we begin to see the kingdom of heaven come to earth. Part of our mission as Christians and part of being sent out is to care for the least in our midst. Christ came to serve the least, the last, and the lost, and Christ has sent us out with this mission, too.
PRAYER Holy God, We pray that your kingdom come, and that your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Send us out to serve the least, the last, and the lost, as we all work together to create your vision of heaven, here and now. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.MM Note: From 2016-2017 CP Women’s Ministries Bible Studies
S U M M E R 2 016 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R 7
What
CAN I DO TO HELP? By T. J. M A LINOSK I
As
I do with most writings, I struggle for a solid introduction and a stellar ending to keep the reader engaged and interested. Often times, one or both miss its potential yet I eventually have to finish the article or deadlines will be missed. While working on this particular piece intended to encourage Cumberland Presbyterians, both ministers and church members alike, to share one’s Christian faith with another; a grand, yet simple epiphany penetrated my thick, bald head. As Christians, we have made the simple mission of talking about Jesus unnecessarily difficult and daunting. This epiphany struck me as I was examining the plentiful volumes about church growth and evangelism on the bookshelf in my office. Hand-me-down books from two or more decades ago cluttered with phrases like “evangelism programs”, “saturation”, “effective planning”, “secret growth”, “revitalization handbook”, and “vision and strategy”. It is no wonder we often see the process of telling another about the transforming power of God as a difficult and daunting task. So, as each year ticks by in this new century, we can statistically watch as the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination is losing more membership than it gains, hear8 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R S U M M E R 2 016
ing less professions of faith and baptizing fewer children in the United States. While hypothesizing the reasons why can be constructive, and sermonizing what is wrong can be beneficial (yet tiresome), perhaps what we each can do is simply ask, “What can I do to help?” Just by each one of us asking this question, individually and collectively, it would create a paradigm shift in our local and denominational context. Offering help would take the tremendous strain off those dedicated few in our local congregation whom we have come to heavily depend on, who sacrificially make sure that all the doors are unlocked to the building on Sunday morning, classrooms are clean and ready for students, thermostats are set to accommodate the majority, flowers are arranged accordingly, transportation is organized for every worship and fellowship activity, checks written and books balanced, mail is sent and picked up, visits are conducted and meetings attended. When we ask, “What can I do to help?” we will become more involved in something that is larger than ourselves, where we can meet together regularly to worship God and study the Word of God, join with others in a common witness to the gospel and to engage in the good works to which each Christian is called (Constitution 2.01). In short, we will become invested and devoted. Perhaps we are reluctant to ask, “What can I do to help?” because we fear of being called upon or inadmissibly volunteer or commit ourselves to something that we cannot
do or have no desire to participate in. Or perhaps we are reluctant to ask because what it means to live the life of a Christian is not always transparent. When each of us makes a personal profession of faith we also accept the joyous calling of sharing what it means to be a Christ follower. For those of us who are uncomfortable speaking about ourselves, reserved about sharing details of our life, feel that our life is neither fantastic or interesting, then talk about the transforming power of Jesus. For those of us who feel inadequate in detailing Jesus’ ministry, his teachings and interaction with others, talk about how your life is being transformed every day by following Christ. For those of us who want nothing to do with talking, feel that anything you say sounds contrived, fake, or pushy; share Jesus with your hands and feet. So, let us throw our cautions to the wind and courageously ask in our churches, in our kitchens, in our workplaces and in our neighborhoods, “What can I do to help?” When we do, we are offering ourselves as a person and as a people who call themselves Cumberland Presbyterian. The Confession of Faith says that we “are recreated, or born again, renewed in spirit, and made new persons in Christ” (4.15). This is wonderful and remarkable news! So let’s go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is… God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets. Hebrews 13:13,16 The Message MM
THE
UNIMAGINABLE
INTERCULTUR AL
EXPERIENCE
OF VISITING
A CROSS
CULTURE
By JOH A N DA Z A
CHURCH
H
ave you seen a sign for a church in a language different from English in your neighborhood? That church may be a cross-culture church. Your first impression of a cross-culture ministry in your neighborhood might be that it is challenging to connect to the members of that church. Language limitations and cultural differences can cause that impression. However, what may surprise many people is a crossculture church regularly consists of multiple generations of immigrants. Well, it is understandable that a first generation of immigrants is a group of members in a cross-culture church who feel more comfortable worshiping in their first language (generally a language other than English). They are characterized by the culture, church values and styles, and faith experiences from their home country. Second and third generations in a cross-culture church are different from the first one. The children of
the first generation of immigrants are very conscious of their surrounding communities and cultures. They are familiar with their parents’ home culture, and at the same time very familiar with the broader American culture. The reason for this is they have been immersed in both cultures at the same time. And when you are between two cultures, you are creating a new, third culture. A third culture is the best liaison model a cross-culture church can use to introduce American brothers and sisters to their congregation. Second and third generations can connect two worlds and bring them together in a very natural way. The impact of second and third generations has the potential to bring new elements into the main culture of the first generation members of a church. They can bring a mestizo (mixed) culture that involves two different worlds, two different languages and different experiences of faith into one church. When second and third generations are valued in a cross-
culture church, the dynamic of the church is not mono-cultural anymore. An English speaking person can attend a worship service being sure that there is at least a group of adults, young adults, youth or children who will enjoy their presence and will make him/her feel comfortable and at home. It is possible to be able to enjoy God’s presence in a different style and expression of worship and capture a glimpse of God working with people not too different from yourself. When a cross-culture church works intentionally toward caring for second and third generations, the church can naturally become an intercultural church where diversity is the core. A cross-culture church is where God is honored in the midst of diversity, different backgrounds, cultures, languages and nationalities through the presence of the Holy Spirit who speaks all languages and who works in all cultures. MM
S U M M E R 2 016 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R 9
By JOHAN DAZA
SHARING THE
LOVE
have changed, and the way to establish new church developments in our neighborhoods has changed as well.
OF
Your neighborhood might be close to a community center, a library, schools, restaurants, shopping malls, hotels, and other useful buildings for gatherings of people. It is very likely that at least one of those buildings is being used in your neighborhood by a group of believers with the desire of sharing the love and good news of Christ to their neighbors.
Any neighborhood has the potential to have a new church development without the concept of a traditional sanctuary. For new church development purposes, it is not impossible to picture a new church gathering in a tennis club, shopping mall, community center, public school, conference room of a hotel, local theater, public park, or the living room of a family´s house. Why? Because the main focuses of new church development ministries are people and their relationship with God.
CHRIST
What a new church development can look like in your neighborhood
Even when it sounds like an imaginary picture, this model for planting churches has existed for long time. The ideal of this model is “build nice church facilities and then people will come�. The high monetary investment and the emotional burden of church planters trying to reach out to people and bring them into the new church development in order to pay the mortgage of the facilities has created frustration and disappointment in many people. If the numerical growth does not reach the minimum of people expected to compensate the overall expenses this new church development may be condemned to failure. What if a new church development is a group of people that you can gather in the living room of a home in your neighborhood, in a reading room at a library, a restaurant, a public school, or in a public park. Times 10 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R S U M M E R 2 016
AND
P GOOD NEWS icture this as the new sensation in your neighborhood: a brand new sanctuary, with a beautiful steeple, soccer and baseball fields, a great and accessible parking lot, and people coming to Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and the worship service at 11:00 a.m.. This imaginary picture looks like the ideal place for a new church development, right? However, how can a new church development pay for facilities like this? Can you imagine a new church development that is recently starting, paying a mortgage loan of thousands or even millions of dollars with the purpose to attract people to come and be part of the newest church in your neighborhood?
Sharing the love of God and good news of Christ where the people are is more important than the type of location needed to start a new church development. An eventual change of location is very likely during the natural process of a new church development and it is not a limitation for a ministry to start. New church developments focused on people will find creative ways to identify different kinds of locations that can work for their needs. The most important aspect of a new church development is the formation of a core group of believers where children, youth, adults, men, and women are welcomed to be the church.
A New Church Development In The Making By REVEREND RHONDA MCGOWAN, Pikeville, Tennessee
Have you ever thought you would like to be part of a new church development? At first you might feel this is a big challenge, which it is, but it is possible. Our denomination has a new church development (NCD) in the beautiful Sequatchie Valley in Pikeville, Tennessee under the care of the Tennessee-Georgia Presbytery, called Pikeville Mission. I am the pastor at this NCD and would like to take you on our journey with God in a NCD. When I became the NCD pastor I needed to be first rooted in the community. To do this the core group and myself did door to door invites. This was a bit of a challenge because people often are not home because of the busyness in their lives. The next step that we took was to do the Scripture of the Day on our local radio station. I would record a brief radio announcement sharing a daily scripture for the listeners in the area. The community responded positively to this and it helped people in the area recognize the church and its pastor because of the Scripture of the Day. The thing to keep in mind when trying to reach your community is to keep trying until you find what works. Do not give up if there is not an immediate response. It takes time to develop a church; especially, if the community you are trying to reach has no idea who you are or what you believe.
Another way to inform the community of your new church is by running an article in the local newspaper that explains who you are and what you believe as a church and a denomination. Putting your special events in the paper and a special article every so often in order to keep your church in the eye of the community helps your group stay visible. Participating in local events is another way, so look and try different things to learn what draws your community together. As the pastor it is also a good idea to become part of the local ministerial association. In Pikeville, I joined the ministerial association which has fifth Saturday singings, operates a food bank, and provides special events in which we are able to worship and fellowship together. This has proven to be beneficial in having connections and support from other local churches. An area of challenge involved in a new church development is numerical growth. We must remember that God supplies the increase and it is not always as quickly as we would like it to be. The Pikeville Mission has grown from the core
group of six to fourteen in the past year. We attribute this to some of the steps mentioned above but also in the sharing with those who do not have a Cumberland Presbyterian background. Education of your group about the Cumberland Presbyterian beliefs is important. The best way I found to do this is to make sure that each returning visitor receives a Confession of Faith. Do not assume that everyone will read it, but one way to challenge them to read the Confession of Faith is by teaching it as your Bible study as this really helps with the building of the core group. The Pikeville Mission NCD has been a learning experience and a blessing for me. Because I believe God wants a Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Pikeville we will continue to move forward with God’s mission of making disciples. Please lift Pikeville Mission and all new church developments up in prayer. If you are thinking about starting a NCD begin with prayer, talk with your presbyterial Board of Missions and the Mission Ministry Team, and you can be on a journey that you will never forget or regret.
S U M M E R 2 016 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R 11
S E C ON D M I L E PROJ E C T S
MISSIONARY APPLIANCES THE NEED Our missionaries travel to the mission field with only
providing leadership to the Cumberland Presbyterian
their suitcases and they are expected to buy everything
churches on the mission field. These missionaries hope
they need for their home once they arrive. One of the
to be deployed in 2017. They are currently on deputa-
big ticket items they have to buy are appliances such
tion (fund-raising). Your second mile contribution will
as a refrigerator, stove, washer and dryer. We currently
be used to help Cumberland Presbyterian missionaries
have two new missionary families that desire to serve in
purchase new appliances upon their arrival on the mis-
Latin America as Cumberland Presbyterian missionar-
sion field. MM
ies planting Cumberland Presbyterian churches and
FINANCIAL DATA:
Amount Needed from Second Mile $8,000.00 Amount Contributed to Date:
$
0.00
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Please make check payable to the Missions Ministry Team indicating for project #34415 and mail to 8207
Total Amount Needed for the Project: $8,000.0
Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414.
DURATION:
CONTRIBUTIONS:
June 2016 – June 2017
Contributions for the following projects should be sent to the Missions Ministry Team, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 380167414 indicating on the check the project number: Weller Cottage – Project #34415
Weller Cottage serves as a retreat center for Coalition for Appalachian Ministries (CAM) providing lodging for volunteers helping with the ministries of CAM and is also available as a retreat site. There is an existing debt of $40,000 on Weller Cottage with the goal to pay it off 12 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 2 016
Contact Lynn Thomas at lynndont@gmail.com, (901) 276-4572, ext. 261. in 2016. When that financial commitment is met, CAM can look to grow and expand in new areas of education, advocacy, and service in Appalachia. The financial goal is $40,000. For more information contact: Pam Phillips-Burk at pam@cumberland.org, (901) 276-4572 ext. 203.
Choctaw Transportation – Project #34403 Our Choctaw brothers and sisters need your support to replace their current vehicle with a late model SUV or minivan. The Missions Ministry Team calls upon you, your Sunday School class, your youth group, your Women’s Ministry, and your congregation to take on this Second Mile Project to help purchase reliable transportation for the Cumberland Presbyterian Choctaws. Your generous giving will help meet the financial goal of $35,000.00 for Choctaw ministry, missions and travel. The financial goal is $35,000. For more information contact: T.J. Malinoski at tmalinoski@cumberland.org, (901) 276-4572 ext. 232.
S E C ON D M I L E PROJ E C T S Mexico Cumberland Presbyterian Women’s Ministry – Project #34026 This project is designed to give financial assistance to the development of a new Cumberland Presbyterian Women’s Ministry group in Mexico. The vision is to send a group of women leaders from the United States and/ or Colombia to hold training workshops/retreats, and to offer support to women in Mexico as they work to establish their women’s ministry. The project will also provide some “seed” money to get their “regional” organization up and running. The financial goal is $10,000 (2015) and $10,000 (2016). For more information contact Pam Phillips-Burk at pam@cumberland.org, (901) 276-4572 ext. 203.
Women’s Ministry Asia Immersion – Project #34027 This project is for the purpose of organizing an immersion/work trip to Asia in 2017 for Cumberland Presbyterian women. The trip will be made up of representatives from Colombia, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, and the United States. The goal is for the women to travel to Hong Kong and meet for three (3) days for orientation and to learn about the Cumberland Presbyterian work in Hong Kong Presbytery. From there the group will be divided into two smaller groups, travel to either Laos/Cambodia or the Philippines and engage with Cumberland Presbyterian leadership in those countries in a children’s event or some other work project. The financial goal is $15,000. For more information contact Pam Phillips-Burk at pam@cumberland.org, (901) 276-4572 ext. 203.
2016 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 – funds will be used to develop curriculum, provide resources, and transportation to implement the project during the 2015-2016 school year.
• 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. • 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.
Contributions for the following projects should be sent to the Discipleship Ministry Team, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414 indicating on the check the project number: Cumberland Presbyterian Youth Conference (CPYC) Scholarships – Project #33019 Funding to give scholarships to youth participants. Amount Needed: $6,000 For more information contact: Nathan Wheeler at nwheeler@cumberland.org, 901-276-4572 ext. 218.
Children’s Fest – Project #33020 Children’s Fest is a denominational event for children who have completed K – 6th grade. Since its beginning in the summer of 2014, Children’s Fest has brought together over 250 Cumberland Presbyterian children to experience worship, Bible study, service opportunities, and fun and fellowship – all created just for them! Children’s Fest is a one day event that brings children together from various churches and presbyteries along with their adult volunteers who also gain new ministry ideas and build relationships at the event. Your second mile gift will help fund scholarships for children and churches in need of monetary support to attend Children’s Fest and will also assist in keeping the registration fee at a reasonable rate for all Cumberland Presbyterian children to attend. Amount Needed: $1,800.00 For more information contact: Jodi Rush, jhr@ cumberland.org, 615-415-9735. For more information about all of these projects go to
cpcmc.org/missions/2nd-mile.
S P R I N G 2 016 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R 13
MISSIONS IN SALVADOR, BRAZIL BY JACOB AND LINDSEY SIMS
W
illiam Carey, whom many consider the father of modern day missions, has a famous saying, “Attempt great things for God, expect great things from God.” The call into the mission field did not come by complete surprise as both Lindsey and I have had an interest in missions for a long time. As soon as my family accepted the call to the mission field, God opened doors only God could open. After much prayer and planning, the Sims family will be stepping foot into the vibrant culture of Salvador, Brazil. God was ready for us to make a commitment to missions because God is ready to do something big in the country of Brazil. John Piper writes in Perspectives, “God is pursuing with omnipotent passion a worldwide purpose of gathering joyful worshipers for himself from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”1 The goal of the Salvador, Brazil Mission will be to reach the lost through planting churches within the third largest city in Brazil. As a family, we believe God wants to continue to do amazing things in and through the Cumberland Presbyterian Church worldwide. Our anthem has been 2 Corinthians 2:14, “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us 14 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R S U M M E R 2 016
spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.” I pray that we all follow God’s lead as a connective Church and see the glorious unfolding of all nations proclaiming, “The Lord reigns” (Psalm 97:1). Lindsey and I, along with our three children will begin our journey to Brazil in less than 10 months. Join us in praying for the people of Salvador, Brazil, and our family as we transition into a new culture and learn Portuguese.
As you pray, ask yourself three questions: 1) How will I pray for the nations? 2) How will I give to the nations? 3) How will I go to the nations? The city of Salvador, Brazil is in need of the gospel and it is our prayer that through the Sims family new songs will be sung among the Brazilian people. May we all faithfully follow God as God leads our denomination in triumphal procession in the nation of Brazil. We believe that the living God has provided the way outside the camp in order to accomplish God’s redemptive goal for those residing in Salvador, Brazil. MM
By PATRICK & JESSICA WILKERSON
Go! This is a
theme that we find throughout scripture.
Noah is told to go and build an ark, Abraham is told to go and become the Hebrew patriarch, Moses is told to go and free his native people, prophets are told to go and proclaim the word of God to the people, the disciples are told to stop what they are doing to go and follow Jesus, and Jesus leaves us with a command to go to all nations and make disciples. Go! I think going looks different for everyone. For some it may mean going every week and volunteering at a homeless ministry, teaching in a school every day to show children love on a regular basis that they may not be getting at home, or serving as a pastor in a church. For my family, “go” means becoming missionaries and going to Latin America to serve in the Kingdom of God. We are so excited for the opportunity that God has called us to. I am currently serving at Beaver Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church as a Youth Minister. I was ordained after I completed my Masters of Divinity at Memphis Theological Seminary (MTS) in 2012. My wife, Jessica, and I got married three years ago. Jessica is a social worker and therapist. We met while attending Bethel University. We have one daughter named Bella Grace that is almost two years old. Jessica is due in July with another little girl that we have named Jacqueline Ann. In another year or so, we hope to move either to Colombia to help in the new presbytery that is being formed in Medellin, or to expand the Cumberland Presbyterian Church into other parts of Central America. Going into the mission field has been a long journey for our family. Jessica and I have both felt a desire to serve people our whole
lives. While in high school, we each attended different mission trips that opened our heart to the idea of serving people full time outside of the United States. Over the past ten years, each of us has had opportunities that allowed us to work and live in other countries. Up until now, we have just been asking God to put us where we are needed. We have prayed for doors to open and now we feel like God is saying “Go”! MM
We would love to share more about our call, our mission, and the StottWallace Missionary Offering Fund with your local congregations and ministries. If you are interested in us coming to share, please contact me by email at patrickwilkerson3@gmail.com or by phone at 865-617-9126.
S P R I N G 2 016 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R 15
HELLO こんにちは
HALLO HOLA
안녕하세요
BONJOUR CIAO
Short-Term Intercultural
Internship Opportunity By JOHAN DAZA
你好
Cross-Culture The Cumberland Presbyterian Church is a mix of many different cultures and languages. Each culture represented in our presbyteries in the United States brings their own spiritual experience into a mutual identity shaped by the CP heritage. From the Cross-Culture Immigrant Ministries U.S.A. Program’s perspective, the United States is a nation of nations. In other words, it is one of the best places on earth to establish intercultural relationships through intercultural ministries. Demographic changes in the United States will continue affecting the social and religious dynamics of the American society and the churches in the country. Crossculture churches are experiencing social and demographic changes creating a need for English-speaking ministries. The Cross-Culture Immigrant Ministries U.S.A Program considers “Interculturality” as building relationships between two or more cultures trying to find mutuality in the midst of diversity and differences. The Missions Ministry Team (MMT) is encouraging all of the crossculture ministries to explore the possibility of starting intercultural ministries. We can reach out not only to particular cross-culture communities but the larger surrounding community. 16 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R S U M M E R 2 016
XIN CHÀO
Opportunities to Serve There are over 50 different cross-culture ministries between churches, new church developments and new exploration initiatives in the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination. Each intercultural field is a cross-culture ministry in the midst of transitions toward the implementation of intercultural ministriesw, or in the midst of discernment regarding the need for an intercultural ministry. Seminary/ PAS students, planters, ministers, or lay persons interested in approaching a culture other than their own are welcome to apply for a short term intercultural internship experience.
Duration Six months to one year of planning in advance is needed. A two-three week plan per internship will be offered according to the intercultural field’s needs and intentions to establish an intercultural ministry. Orientation will take place in advance with MMT staff and at the intercultural field.
Requirements • All internship candidates are expected to exhibit a commitment to: a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active church membership. • All candidates are expected to fill out an application form, Code of Conduct, and a Memorandum of Understanding as an agreement between the intern and MMT.
Evaluation At the end of the internship, the hosting ministry, the MMT (and a seminary if a student is doing his/her practicum) will provide an evaluation of the intern.
Tip An intercultural internship opportunity is a good experience for English-speaking planters willing to anticipate demographic changes in the country through planting intercultural churches. MM For more information: Learn more about this program contact Rev. Johan Daza at JDaza@cumberland.org or Rev. T.J. Malinoski at TMalinoski@cumberland.or
MORE THAN A
By REVEREND LISA PETERSON
M
CRAFT SHOP
any Cumberland Presbyterians know that CAM Cabin Crafts in Townsend, Tennessee provides home crafters in Appalachia a regional fairmarket outlet which helps provide supplemental income for many on fixed incomes. Those who are a little more familiar with this mission of the Coalition for Appalachian Ministry (CAM) might also know that Cabin Crafts Coordinator, Therica Breazeale, has a very special relationship with CAM’s crafters: she knows their stories, their families, their joys and concerns. She is aware of how limited resources can be for many of her crafters which is why she collects coupons to help them buy needed materials, distributes donated sewing items, and connects crafters to one another when she thinks they might be able to share resources. Clearly, there is a lot of ministry happening “behind the scenes” at CAM Cabin Crafts. But what many may not know is that one of the greatest ministries being offered is in plain sight. Next to the front door is a simple white poster inviting visitors to leave their prayer requests. And every morning as Therica opens the shop, she stops to check for new petitions before praying for all of the joys and concerns that have been named. Some visitors can hardly believe that a business would care so much about its customers. But CAM is not about a business - CAM is about God’s love for the people of Appalachia, and that love is being lived out every day through a little mission in the shadow of the Great Smoky Mountains.
CAM is About God’s Love for the People of Appalachia
For more information visit the website for CAM - http://appalachianministry. org/Coalition_for_Applachian_ Ministries/Welcome.html This article is written by the Reverend Lisa Peterson, who is the new Church Relations Coordinator for CAM. Lisa and her husband Walt have recently retired to Townsend, Tennessee and she quickly found a ministry home at CAM. If you would like to know more about CAM or schedule a visit or work trip, contact Lisa at camchurchrelations@gmail.com or 865/226-9011.
S U M M E R 2 016 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R 17
LISTENING
TO THE
SPIRIT’S
By PAM PHILLIPS-BURK
M
aybe you’ve heard. Maybe you haven’t heard but there is something new afoot! A new ministry uniquely designed for young women is slowly emerging from the plans and prayers of a handful of folks. We recently held our first-ever retreat for this group of women who are post-high school up to age 35 years. The Making All Things New retreat was held this past February with 25 young women in attendance. Together, these women worshiped, prayed, created, ate, played, worked, and a few slept. All in attendance were excited to be part of this “new thing” that God is doing in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Here are a few of the comments from participants following the event –
QW“Awesome time to re-connect with old friends and to make new ones. A reminder that there are so many more women in our denomination than I think.” “….has allowed me to rejuvenate and recharge in a world of busyness and stress, and to experience all the stories of my peers and where they come from! Much needed!” 18 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R S U M M E R 2 016
CALL
Young Women In The Cumberland Presbyterian Church
“After years of being a CCW [Camp Clark Williamson] camper and a few as a counselor this weekend allowed me to recharge, reconnect, meet other remarkable CP women, and leave renewed.”
• Prayer – pray for this new ministry! • Encourage any woman in your church
“It has been so refreshing to spend a weekend with a group of WOMEN who love God and one another.”
•
We are listening to the Spirit’s call and hosting another retreat this fall in Maryville, Tennessee at Camp Chilhowee on September 30 – October 2, 2016. We will worship, pray, create, serve, eat, play and maybe sleep. We will continue to participate in the “new thing” that God is doing in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In addition to the retreat ministry, there is a budding group of women at Bethel University! They meet together for food, fellowship, and service. Madison Rush and Jean Garrett Holloman are serving as cofacilitators of this new group of women. In addition, we will have another retreat in February 2017 in the West Tennessee area. Are you interested in how you can be part of this “new thing” that God is doing? We hope so! There are many, many ways to support the ministry –
•
•
•
or presbytery to attend these retreats – consider sponsoring them for the registration fee. We will need hosts for the retreat meals. It’s a great way to serve. There are 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and one dinner! Sponsor a young woman to participate in a retreat. Retreat fees will range from $75-$100. Want to come on the retreat but you are outside of the age range? There is a way. Consider serving as a mentor. Mentors will help with meals, set-up, clean-up, workshops, small group activities, etc. Note: You will be expected to pay your own way. See, I am doing a New Thing! Isaiah 43:19
S U M M E R 2 016 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R 19
The People’s Table By REVEREND TOMMY CLARK, SPRING HILL, TENNESSEE
After
a year of serving a church in Columbia, Tennessee, I was called to meet with the New Church Development Task Force of Columbia Presbytery. I was not completely sure why but they wanted me to be part of this meeting. At the meeting I was offered the opportunity to plant a church in Spring Hill, Tennessee. For me, it was like someone asked if I wanted a new car. Who cares about the details; it’s a new car. I affirmed that I would be honored to accept this opportunity. The more I thought about it, the more excited I became. My biggest interest was not starting another Cumberland Presbyterian Church like the one I grew up in but to lead people to hands-on ministry and allow them to build relationships together. Rather than starting with a church and creating a ministry, my plans were to start with a ministry and create a church. I told a group of my friends in Spring Hill about what I was doing. On the first week of October 2015, a group of people participated in the first meeting in regard to the Spring Hill new church development. The first meeting consisted of 4 people at a local restaurant. My plan was not to build a large group or to make the group grow but to create a solid foundation, then provide opportunities for ministry. The group has grown to 8-10 people that meet every Wednesday evening. We refer to this group
as The People’s Table. During these meetings, in addition to fellowship, we have discussions regarding ministry, theology, and current media topics. This has allowed the group to get to know each other and it has allowed me to create a foundation of people for ministry. We continued to meet at restaurants and the homes of different members until the first of the year. The group decided that we needed a designated location to meet. Rather than moving into a building that looks like a church we decided to start by renting a house. By renting a house, we now have a kitchen to make food to provide for food ministries, a place to store clothing for people in need and a yard to have a community garden to provide fresh produce for the area. This home has helped us start the ministries we are so eager to create and it gives us a place to worship together and call home. The People’s Table is slowly turning a home into a hub for ministry. Our prayers are that God leads us into ministry. We are not interested in serving in the way that we want to serve but rather the way that God would have us serve. We have opened the door to allow the Holy Spirit to take charge and eventually create this church. Our prayer is that God will build, create, and grow this church in serving with acts of love and kindness. . MM
OUO
OUR UNITED OUTREACH
SHOPPING MALL
O !
NEIGHBORHOOD
PHARMACY
BETH-EL FARM WORKER MINISTRY
RESTAURANT
SUPER STORE
L A S N N S O IG A PA SE M A C
BAKERY AIRPORT PROJECT VIDA
O G
HOSPITAL
LIBRARY
G
!
O
G
COALITION FOR APPALACHIAN MINISTRY
!
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.
JESUS CHRIST
TRANSFORMS LIVES Cumberland Presbyterian Church Missions Transforms Lives Check out the new video telling the transformation story of Jesus around the world, working through the hands and feet of Cumberland Presbyterians. This video is appropriate to show during a worship service, Sunday school class, or in a women’s ministry or youth group setting. A great time to show it would be on Pentecost Sunday when the Church celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church! This Each church will receive a complimentary copy in the mail. You can also download the video at http://cpcmc.org/mmt/sw
video will also be a great resource to show before or during the collection of the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering.