The Plenary focused on mission work in the Americas, especially central America and the Caribbean, which has a long and honorable Presbyterian mission presence.
From the opening remarks:
- “The Americas” are the most Christian region in the world.
- Presbyterians have been throughout the region since the 19th century.
- Challenges include huge gap between rich & poor, and huge amounts of migration and displacement both within countries and across borders.
- Positives include very strong churches with their own missionaries, theologians, seminaries, parishes, etc & easy access for missionaries and mission groups.
- Latin American congregations have become sending congregations as well as receiving, doing their own church planting locally and internationally.
- Within Latin America & Caribbean the church gives voice to the entire population, enabling them to testify to God’s love and organize against injustice.
From Presbyterian Border Ministry – Mark Adams
- Presbyterian border ministries are uniting congregations on both sides of the US/Mexico border, living out the unity of Christ in the midst of division.
- Has helped reduce border deaths by providing water and other support to migrants.
- Is promoting sustainable economic development in Mexico to help reduce the need to migrate.
- Have a powerful ministry of prayer and presence at the border.
From National Presbyterian Church of Mexico & Pittsburgh Theological Seminary – Pablo Feliciano & Don Dawson
- -Bring seminary students form Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and National Presbyterian Church of Mexico together in Chiapas to minister together.
From Colombia Accompaniment Program (Presbyterian Church of Colombia & Presbyterian Peace Fellowship – Diego Higuita & Sarah Henken
- Colombia is one of the most violent countries in the Americas and has a huge problem with displaced people.
- One story: Pedro was a small, landowning farmer who had his farm taken from him, forcing him to move into the city. He became a fruit vendor, pushing cart full of fruit around the city every day. On Sundays he comes to church. One week he interrupts the service to give his testimony: “Even thought they have taken everything away from me, they haven’t been able to pull Christ from my heart.”
- In response to the violence, the Presbyterian Church of Colombia asked Presbyterian Peace Fellowship to send volunteer, nonviolent observers. Now a team of trained volunteers rotate in and out of the country, maintaining a vigil of presence.
Haiti Fund
- A ministry of a Presbytery in North Carolina.
- Supports two full time missionaries and a ministry of rural economic development and reforestation.
- Ministry covers 15 square miles of rural mountains, and has planted over 250,000 trees, including many fruit trees.
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