Linda Valentine, Executive Director of the
General Assembly Council
Allison Seed, Chair, General Assembly Council General Assembly Council
Mary Ferris, mission co-worker in Romania. Mary Ferris has served as a mission co-worker in Tulcea, Romania, since 2001. She was one of 48 mission workers who itinerated
across the church during Mission Challenge ’07. After her stop at a meeting of Palo Duro Presbytery in west Texas, she wrote:
“The last video I shared with the presbytery ‘pulled the plug’ on emotions
I was not prepared for. There were many pastors crying. The tears were not for the
children in the video. They were tears of pride for being Presbyterian and
an emotional relief that we are reclaiming our mission roots.”
Nearly one million dollars was raised during Mission Challenge ’07 to maintain mission personnel in the field.
This response and Mary’s story illustrate the new hunger across the PC(USA) to reclaim its rich missional history.
GAC Highlights
The Rev. Jerry Cannon speaks at the World Mission Celebration. Responding to the new hunger
across the PC(USA) to reclaim the
denomination’s rich missional
history, the World Mission
Celebration ’07 conference gathered
more than 700 Presbyterians to
share ideas, learn about mission and
bless the PC(USA)’s mission efforts.
Twenty-three mission networks
met in conjunction with the event.
During the ensuing World Mission
Challenge ’07, 48 mission workers
visited 144 of the PC(USA)’s 173
presbyteries, speaking in 1,400
congregations to more than 56,000
attendees. Nearly one million dollars
was raised to support international
mission personnel.
Partnering with presbyteries, the
GAC helped start and revitalize
congregations by awarding more
than $1.4 million in grant money
through the Mission Development
Resources Committee. Half of
the grants in 2007 were for new
immigrant, multicultural or racial
ethnic congregations. In the last seven
years, 67 new immigrant fellowships,
new church developments and
congregations have been created,
encompassing 22 nationalities and
speaking 18 languages and dialects
other than English in worship. In
2001, nine new immigrant ministries
were identified in the PC(USA). By
the end of 2007, the number was 76.
Presbyterians lead clean-up efforts in hurricane-affected areas. Relief, healing and hope will
continue to flow through a five-year
spending plan that was developed
for the funds received for long-term
hurricane recovery work in the
wake of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and
Wilma. Developed in partnership
with the presbyteries affected by
those hurricanes in 2005, the plan
demonstrates responsible stewardship,
illustrates financial transparency
and shows the denomination’s
commitment to the long-term
recovery process in the Gulf of
Mexico.
Referred to as the “crown jewels” of
the denomination, the PC(USA)
theological seminaries are vital
partners in the work of the GAC,
as well as to presbyteries, synods,
congregations and the PC(USA)’s
ecumenical partners. In a series of
consultations, GAC members have
met with many of these seminaries,
engaging in dialogues about activities
and opportunities for further
collaboration on topics including
Christian education, commissioned
lay pastors, multicultural ministries
and other aspects of encouraging and
equipping leadership for the church.
Conferences emphasized being a multicultural church. The GAC helped to organize and
facilitate a multitude of conferences.
Presbyterians worshiped, learned
and shared in stories, experiences,
challenges and aspirations at the
Peacemaking Conference, the Young
Adult Volunteer Placement Event,
the Presbyterian Youth Triennium
and many more events. With a focus
on being a multicultural church,
12 training events, conferences
and consultations were held across
the country. Five new field staff
consultants were hired, 29 coaches
were trained in multicultural
ministry and a new cross-cultural
family network was formed with an
evangelistic purpose to reach others.
The newly formed Office of Christian
Formation (CF) offers individuals
and congregations a range of resources
for shaping discipleship, community
and spiritual nurture. Through CF’s
work, 4,500 youth attended the
2007 Presbyterian Youth Triennium
for worship, Bible study, recreation
and small group conversations.
The Company of Pastors and the
Order of Elders continue to provide
communities of intellectual, spiritual
and vocational discipline for ministers
of the Word and Sacrament and ruling
elders.
Celebrating and completing its 58th
year in ministry in 2007, Church
Financial Campaign Service (CFCS) raised more than $23.4
million, $1.9 million of which was
for mission outreach. By emphasizing
stewardship through the tangible
expression of giving, CFCS helps
Presbyterians to be faithful in the
abundance each has received from
God, to address outreach demands
of a hurting world and to discover
the deeper meaning of discipleship. |
