GAMC0931
September 10, 2009

PC(USA) on track to increase the number of mission co-workers

Contact:
Pat Cole, (502) 569-5172

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is on track to reverse the 50-year long downward trend in the number of mission co-workers serving internationally, according to Hunter Farrell, director of Presbyterian World Mission.

“We expect to end the year with more than 200 mission co-workers, which is an increase over the previous year,” Farrell said. “We are excited that we are still able to fulfill the commitment to increase the number of mission co-workers our church sends out into the world even in the face of increased costs. We are thankful that God continues to call people to serve cross culturally in mission and that Presbyterians continue to support mission personnel through their prayers and financial gifts.”

The recent economic downturn and the shrinking value of the U.S. dollar overseas are among the challenges to reversing the trend of decline in mission-sending, Farrell said. “The shrinking value of the U.S. dollar has increased our costs by an average of 20 percent.”

Another challenge, he said, has been greater than normal attrition due to family issues or other concerns. “When we replace an existing mission worker with a new one, we encounter additional costs for training, moving and household setup expenses,” Farrell said. “The first year of mission service is the most expensive year for us.”

The General Assembly Mission Council’s Executive Committee reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to increase the number of international mission personnel, but at its meeting in July instructed the staff to tie the increase to available funds. The Council has maintained its budget of $10.26 million for mission sending in 2009.

Twenty eight new co-workers have been appointed in 2009 to fill requests from partners in 18 of the approximately 60 countries where PC(USA) mission personnel serve. Meanwhile, 23 mission co-workers retired or left mission service for family or other reasons in 2009.

“The Council remains steadfast in its commitment to increase the number of mission co-workers,” said Linda Bryant Valentine, the GAMC’s executive director. Valentine expressed gratitude for the congregations and individuals who provide prayer and financial support for mission personnel. She said that additional contributions would enable the church to recruit and send more mission personnel. “In a very real sense,” Valentine noted, “the more Presbyterians give, the more mission workers we will be able to send. Our mission personnel serve faithfully and effectively on behalf of the whole church. We need the support of the whole church to continue this long-sought growth.”

Meanwhile, World Mission anticipates increasing the number of mission workers again in 2010, Farrell said. “I am optimistic that faithful and generous Presbyterians will help us make this happen,” he said.