Missionary Messenger Volume 7 / WINTER 2018
LET’S FINISH WHAT WE HAVE STARTED IN THE
PHILIPPINES
WRAP IT UP! The Gift To The King Offering This Year Is Going To The Iloilo Cumberland Presbyterian Church. We Are Stepping Out In Faith This Year And Praying For $55,000 In Donations. It Is Time To Finish What We Started. Let’s Wrap It Up!
By Lynn Thomas
Gift to the King Offering
“… You were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.” 2 Corinthians 8: 10 (NIV)
Wrap it up! You may be hearing that around the house. When the gift is purchased and ready to go under the Christmas tree, it’s time to “wrap it up.” The phrase is often used to mean it is time to finish something. At the close of the year we are all thinking about what we need to get done before the year ends. We have all kinds of things we need to wrap up. Well, we have one more thing that we need to finish, let me tell you about it… The Gift to the King Offering this year is going to the Iloilo Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The Iloilo CP Church is the first church planted by Cumberland Presbyterian missionaries in the Philippines. There are now two churches and three missions in the Philippines, but the “mother” church of the work is the Iloilo CP Church. The church was actually started in the garage of missionaries Daniel and Kay Jang when they first arrived in the Philippines. The church has been meeting in rental property for years and the Missions Ministry Team (MMT) has been raising money for a building for the Iloilo CP Church for as many years. Building worship facilities in growing cities is not cheap. Iloilo City is the fifth largest city in the Philippines, and it is growing. It takes one hundred to two hundred thousand US dollars to buy land and build there. The good news is last year, after raising money from CP offerings over the years; we were able to buy a piece of land in Iloilo City. It has a great location and has the lot size Iloilo CP Church requires for their building. The MMT, our missionaries, and the mission work in the Philippines have dreamed about this church building for many years. It’s time to wrap it up! The Iloilo CP Church is the strongest CP congregation in the Philippines. They have about 80 people attend each Sunday morning and the rented meeting space is full. They have youth, a strong women’s group, young professionals, and lots of children. The Iloilo CP Church also conducts a “Child Development Program” that feeds, educates, and shares Christ with dozens of children each week. The ministries of the church march on, despite the challenge of suitable meeting space. We are stepping out in faith this year and praying for $55,000 in donations to the Gift to the King Offering. That is about 40% more than we normally receive. If we are able to raise $55,000 we can build an adequate structure on our land that will meet the needs of the Iloilo CP Church. In 2 Corinthians 8 Paul is talking to the Corinthian Christians about generosity. He has challenged the Corinthians to help the Christians living in Jerusalem. Paul is asking for donations. In his letter he reminds everyone that they were the first to care, they were the first to donate. Then he goes on and says it is time to wrap it up. It is time to finish what they started. We would like to see this project finished and we know that the Gift to the King Offering has the ability to wrap this project up. May the gifts under our Christmas trees inspire us to be generous and wrap up our best for God’s glory in the Philippines. MM W I N T E R 2 018
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Contents 4 Perspectives 5 We Can Still Do More 6 -7 Bible Study 8 -10 Philippines 11-13 Mission Trip In Brazil 14 New Missionaries to Brazil 16 -17 Evangelism For People In A Hurry
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PERSPECTIVES by Milton L. Ortiz
Finishing What We Have Started “So here’s what I think: The best thing you can do right now is to finish what you started last year and not let those good intentions grow stale.” 2 Corinthians 8:10-11 (MSG) I have been accused many times of not finishing things I have started. I always thought that my problem was not that I lack the motivation to finish things, but that I get so excited with new projects. My mind and energy move easily to new opportunities and dreams. Lately in life, I have come to understand that in reality I am not the kind of person who likes to work alone. I am a team player. It is always more productive when we work with others and participate shoulder to shoulder all the way. This is so true at church and especially in our denomination. We have so many opportunities for ministry in the different countries where the Cumberland Presbyterian Church has a presence; but many times, from a financial perspective, we do not have enough money to finish what we start. For that reason this issue of the Missionary Messenger is a strong call to finish what we started in the Philippines. We have had different offerings and calls for Iloilo in the past but one more time they need our help. We are almost there! The Gift to the King Offering will help us to finish and accomplish the goal–a worship center for the people of the Iloilo Cumberland Presbyterian Church in the Philippines. In this winter issue of the magazine you will read about ways to finish what we have started, about the work of the denomination in the Philippines, about ways in which our dollars have been used for God’s glory, and about how we can still do more! We are also excited to report about our mission trip to Brazil for a children’s camp, including personal testimonies of some of the participants, and our new missionaries to Brazil! Be sure to catch up with what Women’s Ministries is doing regionally and get some great ideas for things you can do in your own region. Finally, be sure to read the article about the world of evangelism for beginners and people in a hurry! As we approach the Christmas season let us take a few minutes and reflect on the “reason for the season.” Let’s celebrate Christmas with the anticipation of new churches being built and new ministries being started. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of the Gift to the King Offering this year. MM 4 MISSIONARY MESSE NGE R
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M M WINTER
2018
MISSIONARY MESSENGER {
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MISSIONS MINISTRY TEAM OF THE CUMBERL AND PRESBY TERIAN CHURCH
ART DIRECTOR Sowgand Sheikholeslami
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Milton Ortiz ext:234
PUBLICATIONS MANAGER Matthew Gore ext:221
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jinger Ellis ext:230
CONTRIBUTORS Pam Phillips-Burk ext:203 Johan Daza ext:202 T.J. Malinoski ext:232 Milton Ortiz ext:234 Lynn Thomas ext:261
8207 Traditional Place Cor dova, T N 38016-7414 phone 901.276.4572 fa x 901.276.4578 m essenger @cu m berland.org VISIT US ON THE WEB
ht tp://cpcmc.o rg/m m To read the previous issues of The Missionary Messenger visit us at
http://cpcmc.org/mm/mm-archives MEMBER • Associated Church Press
We Have Done A Lot, But, Guess What?
WE CAN STILL DO MORE! Reflections on our Cumberland Presbyterian giving to God’s mission work By Johan Daza
As Cumberland Presbyterians we confess that “the church in the world never exists for herself alone, but to glorify God and work for reconciliation through Christ” (COF, 5.09). “Through Jesus Christ, God frees persons from the shackles, oppression, and shame of sin and sinful forces, from the guilt and penal consequences of sin, and enables them to have free access to God. This freedom, rooted in love, not fear, enables persons to become who God intends them to be, to bear witness to their Lord, and to serve God and neighbors in the vocations of their common life.” (COF, 6.01).
The
Missions Ministry Team is the mission agency of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mission work among Cumberland Presbyterians includes but is not limited to: women’s ministries, congregational ministries, evangelism and new church development, church development and immigrant churches, missionary work, mission fields, and partnership with domestic and international development agencies. As the mission agency of our denomination, we recognize that there are many people in the world who are still suffering the shackles, oppression, and shame of sin and sinful forces. It is through our sacrificial love that we can continue serving and glorifying God by serving others. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church does not exist in the world for Cumberland Presbyterians alone. We are constantly eager to give witness of God’s mighty acts of love and compassion in the world. Cumberland Presbyterians, year after year are giving time, energy, and financial resources to support different mission fields, missionary families, lunch programs, church facility building projects, church planters, church planting efforts, and domestic and international development projects. Likewise, as Cumberland Presbyterians, we believe our financial resources are not for us alone. God’s
generosity motivates us to give to others with generous hearts. We are aware that the proclamation of the gospel and social actions go together in order to satisfy not only the spiritual needs, but the basic emotional and physical needs we have as human beings. For that reason our invitation for this New Year is to continue storing up ourselves treasures in heaven where moths and vermin do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. Do we still need your continuous support? Yes! We want your hearts and our’s to fall in love with God’s mission work in the world. We still need to form new councils and presbyteries overseas; we still need to plant new domestic and international churches; we still need to minister in immigrant communities in the United States; we still need to be equipped as Cumberland Presbyterians with evangelism, discipleship, and ministerial tools; we still need to provide meals for kids around the world through our hot lunch programs; we still need to provide relief when natural disasters occur in the world; and we still need to equip women and men for the ordained ministry through cooperation with Program of Alternate Studies in the United States. We could continue naming many other needs we have in order to continue advancing the gospel as Cumberland Presbyterians. Without your continuous support it would be very difficult for the
denomination to give continuity to many of these projects, programs, and services. Jesus more than once asked his disciples to run away from the love of possessions and money. In contrast, Jesus encouraged them to return to God and build up God’s kingdom with love and generosity. God is the provider of all goods. God’s Kingdom is different from the oppressive and abusive kingdoms of the world. God protects us from temptation and evil. Maybe that is why Thanksgiving is defined as “a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness.”1 As Cumberland Presbyterians we affirm that all of life and creation is a trust from God. We have received in abundance many spiritual and physical blessings. Our gratitude to God is expressed by sharing God’s gifts with others. God’s joy in us makes us generous with those living without God’s presence. God gave us salvation in Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ gave himself to bring salvation, healing, freedom, and shalom to all human beings. In a world full of needs, all CPs have understood we are called to work in God’s mission by consecrating ourselves to God in order to bring transformation into the world through the proclamation of the good news of Christ, and the establishment of the Kingdom of God here and now. MM
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Bible Study/Devotion
By Lynn Thomas
HOW TO FINISH WHAT WE START Read: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 A common trap we often fall into is starting something and not finishing it. How often have we heard a teacher, boss, coach, or parent tell those that have started something to finish it? It’s time to wrap it up! No one starts a movie planning to walk out in the middle, no one starts a race planning never to finish it, and no one cooks a meal planning to serve partially cooked food. When we see the needs of those near or far from us, we often start something to help them. But do we finish it? We should be mindful of this on the mission fields around the world and with our ministries in the USA. A long-term commitment is vital to helping others. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he is urging them to finish what they started. Paul explains the Corinthian church wanted to help the poor and needy in Jerusalem. He then reminds them they need to finish what they started. This chapter is about generosity. Paul speaks of Christians in other countries sending help to poor Christians in Jerusalem. Paul is collecting donations and gifts for the Jerusalem church. His concern is that the generosity continues until the needs are met. In these scriptures Paul gives several reasons why generosity needs to both start and finish. 1. Look at the churches of Macedonia. Paul
explains that the churches in Macedonia are not wealthy, but they are generous (1-4). He asks the Corinthian Church to look at the Macedonian example. Their example is an inspiration. We see this in the Cumberland Presbyterian (CP) Church. Donations to different CP offerings come from all over the world. We see CP churches in very poor countries give to support CP missionaries, donate money to feed the hungry, give to Our United Outreach, and help others outside their country in times of natural disasters. Many CPs do not give from their wealth, they give from their compassion. People who finish what they start are passionate people. When we have compassion we do not stop until we finish what we start. 6 MISSIONARY MESSE NGE R
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2. Look at the example of Jesus Christ. Paul reminds
the Church that Jesus gave up the glory of heaven to become a man and to suffer and die on the cross. Paul explains that Jesus set his status aside and sacrificially gave himself so that we might have life. He was an example of generosity (9). CP missionaries leave the life of predictability and comfort to take on the challenges of the mission field. It is a sacrifice. CP pastors who agree to accept struggling churches that cannot pay great salaries demonstrate generosity. It is a sacrifice for the benefit of others. Paul wants us all to know that it is not
enough to just care; if we are to have an impact on our world we make sacrifices. To finish and finish well requires sacrifice. 3. Feelings and actions result in good works. The
Corinthian Christians are praised for their concern for the poor Christians of Jerusalem. They genuinely feel bad for their suffering brothers and sisters living in poverty. But feeling badly for those in need is not how we finish what we started; it is how we start what we start. Paul exhorts the Corinthian Christians to push ahead and act, to finish what they have started (11). We have seen the tears of
understanding after a mission service team returns from a mission trip. “I had no idea.” The impact of seeing the faith and commitment of others on the mission field is a life changing experience. Feelings should push us into new faith experiences and those experiences inspire us to continued action. Those same short-term missionaries often become people of action producing good works far into the future. Feelings matter, they introduce us to new faith experiences, and those experiences inspire us to finish what we started. 4. We are connected. Paul reminds the Corinthians that we can be generous because, in the end, it is God who takes care of us. Our security is not dependent on our wealth; it is dependent on our faithfulness and commitment to God. It is God who takes care of the People of God. Paul explains that in the same way God touches hearts to help people in need, God will touch hearts of people to help us when we are in need (14-15). Maybe we do not live in poverty, but we all suffer. God brings others to our side to encourage and support us when we suffer. Paul explains that as we supply the needs of others, others will supply our needs. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church is a global church, which means we are all connected. When there is an earthquake in Mexico or Japan and CPs are impacted, we all share in their suffering. CP churches in the USA are struggling to grow, but the CPs in other countries that are experiencing growth pray for the USA. We are interconnected and God touches all of us to care about each other.
Paul tells us that if we really want to help others we have to make a commitment to the long-haul. We need to realize that finishing what we start is vital if we hope to see lives changed. As Paul puts it, “…you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work…” 2 Corinthians 8: 10, 11
Questions for Reflection: How do we encourage others to support ministries and mission projects that take years of sacrifice and commitment to be successful? What are some of the things that cause us to walk away from ministries and mission projects that will take long-term commitments? In our personal faith walk, what things have we enthusiastically started and not finished? MM W I N T E R 2 018
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B y Ly nn T h o m as
The Pearl of the Orient Seas
THE PHILIPPINES The Philippines are unique in many ways. The country is a group of 7,000 islands located in Asia, it is named for King Philip of Spain (1542), and the two main languages are Filipino and English. The Philippine Islands were a Spanish colony until the Spanish-American War (1898) and were then ceded to the USA as part of the spoils from Spain losing the war. In 1946 the Philippines were granted independence. One of the main islands of the Philippines is about one hour by airplane from the capital Manila. It is called Panay Island, and Iloilo City is its largest city on the island. Iloilo City has a population of 450,000 people and is where the Cumberland Presbyterian mission work is located. In the 1700s, the Spanish started calling the Philippines the “Pearl of the Orient Seas� because of the natural beauty and warm tropical waters. (Continued on next page)
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ministers, three licentiates, and four candidates for the ministry. The pastors, licentiates and candidates are all working in these different churches and missions. Each Sunday there are around 300 Cumberland Presbyterians meeting in different churches and missions in the Philippines. All of these churches, missions, and pastors are fruit of the Iloilo CP Church. The Missions Ministry Team formed a council of CP churches in the Philippines so that the CP leaders could better coordinate the work in the Philippines.
In
2007, missionaries Daniel and Kay Jang moved to Iloilo City and started their mission work. They were from the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in South Korea. Their first outreach meetings were conducted in the garage of their home. Missionaries Daniel and Kay met with different people to pray and share their vision of planting the first CP church in the Philippines. Two months after those first meetings they rented office space and conducted their first worship service. They started outreach and grew. Their outreach involved worship services, feeding and helping children, and going into the barrios (barangaies) of Iloilo City to share the gospel. The first barrio they worked in was Oton. They gathered children and adults, shared the gospel, and started a worship service. By 2013, Iloilo CP Church was organized as well as the Oton CP Church. New missions started in four other barrios and small towns outside of Iloilo City. Currently, there are four missions and two churches on Panay Island. There are a total of four ordained CP
Currently, the Iloilo CP Church has two ordained ministers and five elders. There are 70 adults and 40 children in attendance. It is our largest church in the Philippines. The church feeds approximately 200 children as part of their child development program (CDP). The women of Iloilo CP Church volunteer their time each Friday to cook and feed the children in the CDP program. The Iloilo Church has a CP Women’s Ministry group, youth group, children’s ministry, and hosts all the meetings for the CP Council of Churches. The Iloilo Church is truly the mother church, helping support the other churches and missions. Over the past years the Missions Ministry Team has been working with our missionaries and the Iloilo CP Church to find a permanent meeting place. From the day the church started it has been meeting in rented spaces. We raised $90,000 (US) to help them buy a nice piece of land in Iloilo City. Iloilo City is growing and for that reason real estate prices continue to go up. This year we are hoping to finish what we started. We hope to raise another $55,000 to build a worship and meeting facility on the land already purchased. If the past ten years is any indication of what the future can look like in the Philippines, then this building is certainly needed. We need a church in Iloilo City that has adequate facilities to help us continue our expansion. It has taken years of donations and saving to get to this point. We pray that God touches hearts to help us wrap up the project we started. As the year comes to a close we are optimistic and excited about what is happening in the Philippines. Now is the time to put resources into the different programs and projects we have there. We have every expectation that those resources will help our mission work continue to flourish. The work in the Philippines is a valuable pearl and it continues to grow in value as more and more people come to Christ and join our Cumberland Presbyterian family. MM
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BRAZIL MISSION TRIP By Jinger Ellis and Milton Ortiz
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The Cumberland Presbyterian Church has been present in Brazil for 50 years. The Mata de Sao Joao Cumberland Presbyterian Church is a beautiful facility in the farmlands of Brazil, about two hours outside of Salvador. The congregation was close-knit from the start, Japanese families having lived in the area for decades, and with members who spoke in their own language. Mata de Sao Joao Church is your typical rural church with farmers and their families worshiping together in a beautiful church they built, enjoying the Lord, sharing meals, and having fellowship with each other. (Continued on next page)
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A mission group of eleven Cumberland Presbyterians left Miami for Salvador, Brazil on September 5 and worshiped and fellowshipped for nine days with our Brazilian brothers and sisters. Our purpose was to support the ministry of the CP Church in Mata de Sao Joao, Brazil, by leading activities during a weekend camp for local children and youth.
“I smile every time I think back to our weekend camp at Mata de Sao Joao. We went there to strengthen the “ties that bind” Cumberland Presbyterians together and let the folks there know that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, but I honestly think that we received way more from them than we could possibly give in return. From the minute we arrived, we received so many smiles, hugs and warm handshakes that the language barrier disappeared. The entire trip was a real blessing!”
The following are some reflections about the mission trip. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did!
- Debbie Shelton
“What struck me about the mission trip to Mata de Sao Joao was the way the group from the church and our mission group came together and put on a great event for the kids in spite of language barriers. They were prepared to host a camp and we had activities ready. There were enough materials leftover for the church to host several more events.”
“Sincere hospitality, love, and calling to serve is what I felt from the moment our van pulled up to the guest house of the Mata de Sao Joao CP Church, where we were met by the leaders of Camp Christo. The lesson and blessing of this trip was the experience of being a part of the body of Christ who is different in culture, appearance, language, and geography. Living together and serving together as children of God who share a common purpose and who support one another as the Apostle Paul describes the body was the affirmation of why I choose to be part of the CPC and why I choose to serve in it.”
- Gwen Keiser
“During some free time at the camp at Mata de Sao Joao a couple of girls came over to watch me as I was doing a craft project. Though we didn’t speak the same language, we were able to build a friendship. I stopped what I was doing and pulled out my cell phone to show them photos of my husband, my son, my home church, my cats, and Camp Peniel (Arkansas Presbytery’s camp). The camp and cat photos made a real connection!” “I want to thank my church for providing some of the funds needed for this mission trip. While one of the purposes was to help the CPC members in Brazil know that they are vital to the CPC worldwide, it also helped my small local congregation see that THEY are vital to the CPC throughout the world.” - Denise Adams
- Rev. Jill Carr 12 Photo credit:Rev. Leanne Kerner
Photo credit: Jodi Rush
“I saw Jesus. I saw Jesus in the men who translated for us and acted out the Bible stories and in the ladies of the church who put in so much work to make this camp amazing. I saw Jesus in Pastor Carlos and Priscilla and their love for the people. I saw Jesus in the faces of the children as they played, worshiped, and learned. I saw Jesus in the Sims family and the way that they love the people of Brazil. I saw Jesus in my team and the way everyone came together to do what we needed to do. And even though I communicated WAY better than I thought I could in a mix of Spanish, English and Portuguese, I hope they saw Jesus in me.”
“I find myself often thinking so narrowly about the Cumberland Presbyterian Church as it looks in the United States. Spending time with my Brazilian Cumberland Presbyterian family reminded me of what a rich and thriving community we have both locally and globally.” - Rev. Leanne Kerner
- Jackie Tow
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NEW MISSIONARIES
TO BRAZIL By Lynn Thomas
The Missions Ministry Team (MMT) staff is thrilled to announce a new Cumberland Presbyterian missionary couple moving to Salvador, Brazil. Rev. Dr. Josue Guerrero, his wife Sara, and their daughter Raquel (five years old) will be moving to Brazil in early 2019 to help with leadership development and new church development. Rev. Guerrero is currently the pastor of the “Senda de Libertad” (Path of Freedom) CP Church in Medellin, Colombia. He was raised as a Cumberland Presbyterian in the Manizales CP Church. Josue has an electrical engineering degree, a master’s degree from the Bible Seminary of Medellin and a doctor of ministry degree from Dallas Theological Seminary (Guatemala campus). He was ordained by Andes Presbytery in 2014. He is currently a member of the newly formed Emaus Presbytery. Sara is a university professor at the CES University in Medellin, Colombia. She is a physical therapist and coordinates educational plans for those studying physical therapy. Sarah was raised in the Armenia CP Church. Both have worked in CP churches for many years, helping start new churches, teaching, pastoring, and developing/implementing plans. We are thankful that God calls men and women to missionary service. We are grateful that the Guerreros are willing to walk away from successful careers and ministries and accept this opportunity to be CP missionaries. Please pray for Josue, Sara and Raquel. Remember all missionaries are dependent on donations made to the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund to pay their salaries and benefits. Pray that God will continue to inspire churches and individuals to contribute to that fund. MM
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YOUR DOLLARS AT WORK! By Jinger Ellis 2017 Loaves & Fishes Offering - $60,662 Feeding the Community through Choctaw Presbytery Your generous donations will be used by Choctaw Presbytery to help alleviate poverty in their community. Every fall, each congregation in the presbytery compiles a list of individuals and families in need of food beginning with Cumberland Presbyterians, family members, members of the Choctaw Nation, co-workers, neighbors, and even strangers. Thank you for joining with them to help feed their community! 2017 Gift to the King Offering - $26,114 Istmina Cumberland Presbyterian Mission, Colombia Your gifts will be used to help Istmina purchase their first worship center. Your gifts will go a long way in this impoverished area of Colombia. 2017 & 2018 Builders Fellowship
the initial crisis has passed. In the United States and in countries where we have missionaries, we first contact pastors and missionaries to see if they have access to effective ways to help people impacted by the disaster. If they do not have access to those suffering they suggest others that do. We can then share our resources with those organizations. In countries where we do not have missionaries we have to depend on reputable non-profit organizations to take our resources and use them for the benefit of those impacted. • August 2017 - Hurricane Harvey - $121,565 – funds were sent to Houston First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Nueva Vida Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and Pathway Cumberland Presbyterian Church. • September 2017 - Hurricane Irma - $17,670 – funds were sent to Beth-El Farmworker Ministry and Coalition of Immokalee Workers.
Each year the Missions Ministry Team sends out three calls to Builders Fellowship members and churches to help raise funds for purchasing or building a first worship center. Below is a list of the calls for 2017 and 2018 with the amounts that were raised.
• September 2017 - Mexico Earthquake - $26,160 – funds were sent to the Mexico Council.
• First call was for Timoteo Apostol CP Fellowship, Quimbaya, Colombia - $10,758. Your donations helped to finish their new worship center.
• June 2018 - Guatemala Volcano - $12,667 – funds were sent to our missionaries in Guatemala to help victims in the communities surrounding the volcano.
• October 2017 - Hurricane Maria - $900 – funds were sent to Church World Service for those affected by the hurricane in Puerto Rico.
• Second call was for Pavia Mission, Iloilo, Philippines $10,408 helped Pavia build a simple structure for worship.
• October 2018 - Hurricane Florence, North Carolina - $680 to date.
• Third call was for the House of Prayer, Cullman, Alabama - $7,970 was used to finish constructing the worship center.
Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund
• First call 2018 – Amaga Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Amaga, Colombia - $11,318 was raised to help finish their building. It’s almost complete! • Second call 2018 – Bugalagrande New Church Development in Cauca Valley, Colombia - $8,665 was received for this call. They are now in the beginning stages of development Disaster Relief The Missions Ministry Team receives donations to assist with natural disasters around the world. While the MMT is not equipped with emergency vehicles, staff, or resources to be first responders, we provide substantial help after
• 2017 - Donations totaled $259,529; expenses were $341,763; deficit of $82,234 • 2018 - $232,871 has been received as of October 30, 2018; expenses are $318,880; deficit of $86,009 Donations to the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund unfortunately aren’t enough to cover all missionaries salaries and benefits. In previous years, the Missions Ministry Team has used a portion of OUO and other resources to help cover the budget shortfall. You have an opportunity to donate directly to the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund and help MMT replenish resources that are used for other ministries. Thank you for all that you do to help our missionaries! MM W I N T E R 2 018
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EVANGELISM FOR PEOPLE IN A HURRY By T. J. Malinoski
Neil deGrasse Tyson wrote a book last year entitled Astrophysics for People in a Hurry to introduce beginners to the world of astrophysics. Intrigued, I thought I would adapt the title of the book for the purposes of introducing people to sharing their faith. First, it is important to state that we typically do not like to read long articles. We want information to be of interest and to be succinct. If an article or story’s headline is not catchy or does not relay the core of the writer’s purpose or point of view, we move on. Second, most of our reading is for the purpose of being informed. We often feel that we do not have time for reflection. So, we develop the tendency to read articles from the perspective of being informed. Facts, news, statistics supersede reflection, wisdom and enrichment. Knowing the limitations each writer faces in capturing the reader’s attention and imagination, here is an attempt to provide an introduction for beginners to the world of evangelism for people in a hurry. Consider these points to ponder as we expand or redefine evangelism to excite and engage us to share the transformative power that God has in our lives to those we encounter.
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Evangelism has an image and practice problem.
God is in the present and our language should be as well.
For many, accepting Jesus takes the form of memorizing “the four spiritual laws” or embarking on “the forty days of purpose” to know God. These methods end up being no more than points to memorize, like the alphabet, and superficial without providing any real subsidence. What if these images and practices do not excite or engage us? If these images and practices are the main offerings for people to encounter Jesus, perhaps He is being limited in ways in which He can be embraced.
When braving the possibility of speaking about our faith, our use of language of God should be in the present tense. Our stories about God impacting and transforming our lives are essential and shape our identity. Including how God is shaping our lives today, right now, indicates to others that we experience God anew each day. Using present tense words such as loving, compassionate, forgiving, promising, seeking, and growing speaks volumes of a present tense relationship.
See faith as a pilgrimage or journey as opposed to a destination.
Creating a space for questions and a space for renewal.
Everyone is seeking to make sense of life, work, family, and friendships amidst an array of different perspectives and personalities. Life is complicated and complex. We do not always know how to make sense of the world in which we live, nor can we always identify and name our purpose and place. Having faith in God through Jesus is not about a destination or a place of arrival. Faith is about the continuation, pilgrimage or journey, of growing in faith, hope, love, and other gifts of the Spirit.
One of the basic principles of learning is by asking questions. Inquiring about faith, where it comes from, the scriptures–who wrote them and why, all point to curiosity. We can mold ourselves to be the kinds of persons where asking questions is not only okay but encouraged. We can be persons who are approachable, who avoid dogmatism, refrain from crass judgment, and acknowledge personal limitations. Individually and corporately we can become a space for others to ask questions about the faith and feel safe in doing so. We can also become a space of renewal for believers who want to encounter Jesus again. People are looking for forgiveness, peace, and restoration. We are those spaces where people can encounter them. The world welcomes more of these spaces!
There is a difference between inviting one to encounter Jesus and inviting one to church. Church is where we worship, study and fellowship. It is a place where we get to discover and express our identity as God’s people and participate in the ongoing work of God in the world. Yet, we can encounter Jesus anywhere. God’s work of reconciliation in Jesus is accomplished by the Holy Spirit. This can be communicated in our cluttered living room, our backyard, a busy parking lot, a hospital hallway, a hotel lobby, and in the structural building of a church. A sense of belonging always comes before believing. Faith-sharing means to welcome people into our lives, incomplete, broken, selfish, and fault-filled as we are, to let others see that a relationship with God is one of a covenant family that consists of forgiveness and grace. Believing comes after we experience a sense of belonging to God and God maintains the relationship even when we compromise it. Trust is built and established when there is a sense of belonging. Believing in Jesus may not immediately lead to a complete trust. Accompanying a loved one, friend, neighbor or acquaintance to the ministry, work, and love of God confirms the grace that is being offered.
Praying for and with another. We are all unique and relate to God differently. How we communicate with God can take on many forms. There are times when we communicate with God with our inner minds without uttering an audible word. There are other times when we hope no one saw or heard us screaming in our vehicles or yelling from the back patio. Prayer is a gift that can help us sort things out and articulate, sometimes incoherently, our thoughts, questions, feelings, troubles, and joys to God. We can communicate with God unfiltered and this can be freeing and enlightening. Praying for someone to have an encounter with God expands the tone and purposes of our prayer. Asking someone if you can pray for them, or with them, indicates they are important to us. What is happening in their lives is always open to the reconciling love of God accomplished in Jesus Christ. For those who identify with being in a hurry, these are some ideas that merely scratch the surface of faith-sharing. Call these ideas spreading the good news of Jesus Christ, ushering in God’s kingdom, witnessing, or winning people for Jesus. You can even call it evangelism if you like. We are in the driver’s seat when it comes to expanding and redefining evangelism to excite and engage us to share the transformative power God has in our lives with those we encounter. MM W I N T E R 2 018
M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R 17
CPWM And A Touch Of
PIZZAZZ Instill Some Pizzazz Into Your Regional Meetings Or Retreats
Tips, Helps, Ideas ....? One of the requests found on this year’s Convention evaluation form was the cry for more information about what other regions were doing. This article has information about four recently held Regional Retreats. Check them out for ideas you might be interested in for your own retreat. If you do not have a retreat, you might find some ideas that could bring some fun to your regional meeting. Remember, it is not all about our “business.” It is about fellowship and inspiration too. Sweet Life Café’ at Murfreesboro Region Sweet Life Café’ was the theme for the Murfreesboro Regional Meeting held in March of this year at Crystal Springs Camp. We had the meeting room decorated like a coffee house. There was a coffee bar with many types of coffee, teas, and baked goods. The tables were decorated with burlap and jars with coffee beans in them. Signs with different types of coffee and teas were on the walls. Those attending received a Sweet Life Cafe’ bag that contained the lesson book, CD, necklace, a bookmark that was used for the weekend and a cup. In the cup was a slip of paper with a type of coffee or tea. The ladies were asked to sit at the table matching the slip of paper so they could meet 18 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R
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others in the region. There were six sessions and different leaders. We ended the retreat with Communion. The ladies had a great time, and one Region rescheduled their Regional meeting to attend. We have already started planning for March 2019! The theme will be Sea Side Escape. Reported by Judy Miller-McGee
Missouri’s two Regions – Missouri South Region and Missouri River Region join forces to look at Connecting with Our Neighbor We had an incredible weekend “Connecting with our Neighbor” at the 2018 Missouri Women’s Ministry Retreat April 6-8. Keynote speaker was Rev. Lisa Cook from Sacred Sparks Ministry in Nashville, Tennessee. Lisa led worship on Friday night and presented two workshops on Saturday morning helping us to understand people who are experiencing homelessness. She told the stories of some of these individuals in a way that made them come alive. Participants brought quarters for her laundry ministry and after hearing more about what she is doing, the group voted to give our Sunday morning offering to Sacred Sparks as well. The main platform of the worship center held twelve life size doors, each representing “neighbors” portrayed in each of the year’s Bible Study lessons. Seventy five women attended the entire weekend and another 25 plus came for Saturday’s workshops. Activities included worship, workshops, games, a silent auction, hiking on the outdoor trails, and eating the tasty meals prepared by some much-appreciated volunteers. By changing locations to a church camp and staying in cabins this year, we were able to reduce the cost and provide better facilities. Although the retreat is sponsored by Missouri River Region and Missouri South Region, every woman is welcome to attend. Come to Missouri next spring and join us! Reported by Carla Bellis
Refresh, Renew, and Send Out Retreat for Trinity North Region Trinity North Region of Women’s Ministry was held at Pine Tree Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Longview, Texas, on September 8, 2018. After President Sherry Poteet conducted a brief business session she introduced Mitzi Rowland Neely, a motivational speaker and founder of Peacefully Imperfect, Refreshing Hearts, Receiving Joy. Mitzi is also an Assistant Administrator for White Oak Independant School District. She led the group of ladies and gentlemen in a study of our 2018 CPWM scripture from Isaiah
6:8... Here am I, Send Me, challenging each of the group to be careful when we say “Send me, and to trust that God will provide. After reviewing King Uziah’s reign, the table groups discussed the times when God had called us. When called, Isaiah felt unworthy, but ultimately answered, “Here am I, send me.” We, too, can depend upon God for support and power when we answer God’s call and say “Send me.” Special music was provided by Elmira Chapel ladies and Mitzi Neely. After the meal, Music and Movement was provided by Vicki Jacks Conway, Professor and Master Musician at the University of Texas (Tyler) and Organist for Elmira Chapel. She led participants in Tai Chi movements along with humming as a calming and peaceful way to stimulate our bodies and brains. Her presentations inspired some of us to take this back to our churches. “My Story” was presented by 23-year-old Kate Auringer, a student of Professor Conway’s. She shared her story of being hit by a drunk driver three years ago which left her severely injured. Part of her therapy has been music. She played and sang four of her lovely original inspiring pieces. Communion was presided over by Rev. Rusty Rustenhaven, CPC of Marshall, who sent the group out in God’s Name. A bountiful breakfast and luncheon was served by the ladies of Pine Tree CP Church. Around 35 were in attendance. Reported by Jenann Leslie and LeIla Dixon
Combined Arkansas Regions Celebrated Annual Fall Retreat The three Regions of Arkansas (White River, Mountain Valley and Hands of Harvest) rotate planning their yearly fall retreat, held the first weekend in October. This year the
retreat was planned by Mountain Valley. Next year will be Hands of Harvest and the following will be White River. This year’s retreat was held at Camp Peniel on Friday and Saturday, October 5, 2018. Registration began at 4:00 pm on Friday. Registration fee was $10. Attendees were encouraged to bring a dish for the potluck dinner on Friday. We set up two areas each year. There was a general store where items were available for purchase. A silent auction was set up in a building we call the “barn.” Proceeds were donated. We also had a separate offering for the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund. All in attendance enjoyed the fellowship, worship, Bible study, crafts, and fun! Reported by Diane Buffington
Summary Of Tips Or Helps From These Wonderful Retreats: 1. Don’t be afraid to be creative. 2. Get more women actually involved with ideas, food, props, and speakers. 3. Consider changing venues if it is a problem for some. 4. Join forces with other regions as it helps spread responsibility and work. 5. Attend another Region’s retreat and learn all you can. 6. If you like an idea from one of the retreats above, contact the Region’s President. If you do not have a printed directory to find her contact information, you can find a directory online at cpcmc.org and follow the links to Resources, to Women, to General Information. MM
WHAT IS YOUR REGION DOING AT ITS MEETINGS OR RETREAT? Let me know at cpwm@cumberland.org.
Jo Ann Shugert, Interim Director of CP Women’s Ministries.
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M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R 19
Youth Evangelism Conference Unite is coming to Nashville By Nathan Wheeler and T. J. Malinoski
Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so that you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:13-14 Youth from 6th grade to college freshman are invited to attend the Youth Evangelism Conference (YEC), February 16-18, 2019. YEC will be held in Nashville, Tennessee with the purpose of learning more about the practice of evangelism. The Unite theme emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, binding together with God and one another in a fractured world. Much of the programming will be held at the Tusculum Cumberland Presbyterian Church for the Saturday through Monday conference. Speakers include Rev. Lisa Cook, Rev. Dr. Tiffany McClung, and Rev. Joyce Merritt.
Cost:
$100.00 includes all conference fees and three meals per individual. Lodging is NOT included.
Registration & Additional Information: Registration, YEC schedule and frequently asked questions at https://cpcmc.org/yec/#1534797810290-557dd47f-b4cb
Lodging: The Holiday Inn Franklin – Cool Springs has a block of rooms for YEC at a group rate of $129.00 per night. Holiday Inn Franklin – Cool Springs 1738 Carouthers Parkway Brentwood, TN 37027 (615) 277-8700 https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/brentwood/bnapk/ hoteldetail
Questions: Please contact: Nathan Wheeler (901) 276-4572 ext. 218 nwheeler@cumberland.org T. J. Malinoski (901) 276-4572 ext. 232 tmalinoski@cumberland.org The Youth Evangelism Conference is a triannual youth conference sponsored by the Missions Ministry Team and the Discipleship Ministry Team of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Missionary Car for DANIEL & KAY JANG Project #34041 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 ten years have planted six CP churches. In addition, they administer several weekend hotlunch 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.
FINANCIAL DATA: Amount Needed from Second Mile: $7,000.00; Amount Contributed To Date: $5,307.00
CONTRIBUTIONS: Please make check payable to the Missions Ministry Team indicating for project #34041 and mail to: 8207 Traditional Place Cordova, TN 38016-7414
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Lynn Thomas at lynndont@gmail.com, (901) 276-4572 ext. 261.
901.276.4572 / For more information and resources visit our website at cpcmc.org /mmt /gif t2king
Cumberland Presby terian Church, Missions Ministry Team / 8207 Traditional Place • Cordova, TN 38016-7414 /
And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 2 Corinthians 8:10-11 (NIV)
GIFT TO THE KING
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.
2019 BRAZIL MISSION TRIP September 3-11, 2019 Estimated Cost from Miami: $3,500 Group: 10-12 adults who enjoy working with children and youth who are interested in learning more about the ministry of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church around the world. For more information and to register online visit www.cpcmc.org/brazil-mission/. Photo credit: Rev. Leanne Kerner