September 21, 2009

Dear Friends in Christ,

From California to North Carolina, from Michigan to Georgia, Presbyterians engaged in mission in partnership in Russia and Belarus gathered in August for the fifth Russian Mission Network conference. Our conference theme from Romans 1: 8-12 bound us together, “...so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.”

Across the years, this mission network has provided a space for extraordinary networking among representatives of congregations, mission co-workers, World Mission staff, and guests from our partner churches in Russia. Each year organizers add depth and breadth to the experience. This year White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, raised the bar to an even higher level.

It is so easy for a mission co-worker like myself to fall into the trap of thinking of “my ministry” in a foreign land. But, when we gather as God’s people in a network conference that all falls away. With good people from both sides of the ocean, from multiple parts of the church, we affirm that it is Christ’s ministry in which we are privileged to participate.

A common characteristic of most participants was one, or two, or very many mission trips to their congregation’s partner church in Russia or Belarus. Shared experiences were common: worship, orphanage support, summer camp participation, specialty workshops, etc. Barbara Hoyle of White Memorial offered a reflection in opening worship that guided our thoughts for our days together. Barbara has journeyed widely in mission:  Poland, disaster response to Hurricane Katrina in Biloxi, Mississippi, and Russia. I’d like to share with you a part of Barbara’s reflection.

So why go on a mission trip?

We see that God has created a world of diversity—landscapes, animals, plants, climate, weather, resources, and people! People live with different cultures, ethnicities, languages, histories, governments, and varied ways of responding to the myriad constraints and opportunities of nature. We remember from Psalm 33 that “God sees and watches them all, fashions their hearts and observes their deeds.”

I believe God is calling me to reach across barriers of culture, upbringing, language, ethnicity, distance, and generational time to look for and find his image in someone or something new and different from me and my point of view. So then, what is mission? This is my understanding and definition of mission. Mission is seeking and hopefully finding that point of connection between cultures, ethnicities, or personalities that allows and/or enables relationship—either the beginnings or expansion of relationship. Mission is sharing experiences that force us to step outside the familiar and building a connection that becomes family, God’s family, and lasts beyond the immediate experience. I found that connection with 15 members of my own White Memorial faith community and another dozen or so who live in Russia. Each memory of those shared experiences brings tears of joy and gratitude to God for the new friendships and mirrors of his love. And thanks be to God for these new connections to God’s very extended family.

What then can we, as congregations, do to support our friends in ministry in Russia? After being there, I believe we are called to be witnesses and supporters of their ministry rather than doers of it. Our ministry of presence and friendship in support of what they do helps them do their outreach, which is hard. We cannot do it for them. Our financial support and our gifts of items lovingly stitched, knitted and crocheted in community, and our prayers are all in support of their efforts. But we should let the Russians be the givers of these gifts according to the priorities that are important to them. They see the big picture and know the needs. We only get a glimpse. They are there for the daily grind and the hard work. We are there for show time. And in our time in their mission field we received far more than we gave. To God be the glory for the workers in Biloxi, the seminary in Poland, and the Smolensk Baptist Church and the work they all do in mission. I am grateful, blessed, and renewed by my opportunity to witness a part of it.

Thank you, Barbara, for allowing me to share your thoughts on mission with the readers of this electronic newsletter.

This year’s Russian Mission Network conference is over. But there are still opportunities to gather this year to celebrate Presbyterian world mission. I invite you to come to Cincinnati, Ohio, from October 22-24 to be energized anew for “mission in partnership” around the world. You’ll participate in deep and meaningful worship, hear top-notch speakers on Presbyterian World Mission, and mix with international partners and PC(USA)  mission coworkers from five continents. Find the details at the Mission Celebration Web site.

See you in Cincinnati at World Mission Celebration ’09!

And, all God’s children shouted, “Alleluia!”

Yours in Christ,

Gary

The 2009 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.177