Bringing God’s Global Family Together

The heritage of Presbyterian World Mission is rooted ultimately in Christ’s Great Commission to make disciples of all nations and his Great Commandment to love God and neighbor. Presbyterians have borne faithful witness to the gospel around the world in settings that range from great urban centers to small rural villages. More than 94 million Christians around the world now belong to churches that were founded or co-founded by Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) mission workers.
The year 2012 marks the 175th anniversary of international mission by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. Over the years, Presbyterian missionaries have planted churches, built hospitals, and started schools on every continent. The seeds sown by those missionaries have, in many places, developed into self-sustaining churches and institutions now led by local Christians. Among them are the Presbyterian Church of Korea, the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo, and Good Shepherd Hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Thanks to longstanding bonds forged through a remarkable mission legacy, and our reputation as a faithful and effective mission partner, they now invite us to send mission personnel to work with them in partnership.
We help institutions meet crucial needs that the partner churches alone cannot meet owing to lack of resources and/or trained personnel. We also send mission personnel into regions where there is not yet a church. Someday, Christians in these places will form churches, and we will work with them in partnership. We do this because we believe the church in each place is most capable of discerning what God wants to accomplish in mission in that place.
Today, Presbyterian World Mission inherits the legacy begun 175 years ago. Nearly 200 mission co-workers in 50 countries are engaged in equally vital ministries of sharing faith and working against poverty and violence. Our mission personnel are God-called, highly skilled individuals whose work transforms lives every day. They are carefully chosen and well trained. They receive ongoing support and counsel from an experienced staff.
We are also committed to resourcing the thousands of Presbyterians who have come streaming out of the pews and into the world for short-term mission service. We assist more than 40 mission networks, offer seminars and produce training materials, and facilitate an online mission community where ideas and best practices are shared.
Although we celebrate our 175th anniversary of mission work in 2012, there is still much to be done—and you can be a part of it! I urge you to get to know the transforming ministries of our mission co-workers. Discern your own call to be a part of God’s mission. Join us as we bring God’s global family together to help people experience an abundant life, both now and in eternity.
Blessings in Christ,
Hunter Farrell
Director, World Mission