PRESBYTERIAN MISSION AGENCY | Spring 2017 CELEBRATING RACIAL ETHNIC MISSION

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African-Americans bless the mission of God | Discerning God’s call to mission | Mission at our doorstep Mission Crossroads is a Presbyterian AT THE CROSSROADS | Tony De La Rosa, interim executive director Presbyterian Mission Agency Mission Agency publication about God’s mission around the world through the PC(USA) and our Celebrating racial ethnic contributions to transformative mission church partners.

Presbyterian World Mission is n the following committed to sending mission pages, you’ll catch personnel, empowering the a glimpse of the global church, and equipping the Orich legacy and continuing Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) service of racial ethnic mission for mission as together we workers—men and women address the root causes of of color called to love God poverty, work for reconciliation and love their neighbors at amid cultures of violence, and home and abroad. Since the share the good news of God’s saving beginning of Presbyterian love through Jesus Christ. international mission 180 EDITOR years ago, these and other Kathy Melvin Presbyterian Christians have paved the way for mission CONTENT MANAGER from the U.S. to the ends of the Rachel Yates earth, and from the ends of the earth to the U.S. Their unique perspectives have helped transform the church from colonial mission to mission in partnership, the missio dei—the mission of God. PROJECT MANAGER While we’ve changed our mission practice over the years, what has not changed is the Tammy Warren 180-degree transformation of faithful mission servants who encounter Christ and accept the urgent call to share God’s love with others throughout the world. We give thanks to God for their STAY CONNECTED calling and commitment, and we give thanks to you for your ongoing prayers and support of them To subscribe or change your and their ministries. mailing address, contact development. [email protected] Mienda Uriarte Mienda or call 800-728-7228. To request additional free copies of Mission Crossroads, email [email protected] or call 800-728-7228 x5065.

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On the cover: Mission co-worker Leisa Wagstaff discusses clean water at a school in South Sudan. Photo by Sharon Kandel

Tony De La Rosa and Presbyterian Mission Agency team members get a firsthand look at rebuilding efforts in the Philippines three years after Typhoon Haiyan.

Mission Crossroads 1 STEWARDSHIP MATTERS | Rosemary Mitchell

A holistic witness Early African-American missionaries bravely spoke out for justice

t an early age, I learned that Christ a Westerner. He immersed himself in the is concerned about every aspect of culture, built relationships and preached Our church is a more vital witness human life. This core tenet of the the gospel everywhere he went. ReformedA faith motivated people like John In 1899 Sheppard’s ministry took because this African-American Witherspoon, a Presbyterian minister and a different turn. He became alarmed man [William Sheppard], born in college president who was instrumental in at the exploitation of the Congolese Waynesboro, Virginia, just weeks our country’s founding, and Eugene Carson by Leopold. The king used Congolese before the end of the Civil War, Blake, a General Assembly stated clerk soldiers to enslave other Congolese, who answered God’s call to mission. who played a strategic and prophetic role were then forced to harvest rubber and in the Civil Rights movement. Our society build railroads. Many of the captives and our Presbyterian witness still benefit perished, and horrific atrocities were from the contributions of Witherspoon committed against those who dared to call to mission. His example no doubt and Blake and countless others who have rebel. Sheppard and another missionary, helped pave the way for other racial-ethnic followed God’s call to shape a world William Morrison, documented the people to follow God’s call to mission consistent with gospel values. Indeed, every brutalities and wrote about them in service. region of the globe has been touched by the Presbyterian publications. Their work Today mission co-workers of various good and faithful work of Presbyterians. drew international attention to the races and ethnicities serve at the invitation I have come to a greater appreciation situation, and eventually Leopold’s rule of global partners in ministries of poverty of the international reach of was revoked by the Belgian Parliament. alleviation, evangelism and reconciliation. Presbyterians since I started working Congo became a Belgian colony and Informed by our Reformed theology, for the Presbyterian Mission Agency. remained so until its independence in our mission co-workers bear witness to For example, I have learned about 1960. a gospel that addresses the needs of the the ministry of William Sheppard, a Sheppard and his wife, Lucy, whom whole person. It is a ministry of the whole Presbyterian missionary who in the early he married in 1894 while on furlough, church, a life-transforming ministry that 20th century made a powerful statement left Congo in 1910. Two years later, he is possible because of the faithful support for justice in Africa. One of the first became pastor of Grace Presbyterian of people like you. African-American missionaries sent to Church in Louisville, Kentucky, where he serve in Africa, Sheppard and his white served until his death in 1927. A newly Rosemary Mitchell is senior director of colleague, Samuel Lapsley, arrived in revitalized affordable housing community, Mission Engagement and Support at the Congo in 1890 and established a mission located less than two miles from the Presbyterian Mission Agency. Contact her in the village of Luebo. It was the first Presbyterian Center, has borne his name at [email protected]. Presbyterian mission in Congo, which since its original construction in 1941. was then the personal property of King The world is a better place today Leopold II of Belgium. Lapsley died of a because of the commitment, brilliance fever less than two years after his arrival, and courage of William Sheppard. Our CONTINUE THE LEGACY OF but Sheppard continued alone until church is a more vital witness because WILLIAM SHEPPARD other missionaries arrived. He learned this African-American man, born in Support all mission co-workers. to speak the local language and explored Waynesboro, Virginia, just weeks before pcusa.org/donate/E132192 regions of Congo never before visited by the end of the Civil War, answered God’s

Mission Crossroads 1 Decades-long missionary dream begins in Malawi

Tammy Warren Tammy Warren God’s plans and timing are different from ours. Just ask the Rev. Dr. Donna J. Sloan. Donna has packed her luggage, figuratively, more than once to answer God’s call to mission—a call she has felt since she was 9 years old, growing up in Campbell, Ohio. Donna recalls that when a teacher at Campbell Christian Center asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, she said “I want to be a missionary nurse.” Now in her 70s, Donna has been commissioned by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to teach church history and ethics as a long-term volunteer in Malawi. It is often said that God qualifies the called rather than calling the qualified. After feeling a strong call to mission since age 9, Donna Sloan will begin service early While Donna waited for God’s perfect this year as professor of church history and Christian ethics at Zomba Theological timing to begin mission service, College in southeastern Malawi. she earned a diploma in nursing; a bachelor’s degree in sociology; master’s Throughout her careers as a mission co-worker JoAnn Griffith, who degrees in public health, divinity registered nurse, ordained minister and served in Ethiopia for more than four and theology; and a doctorate in college professor, Donna continued decades. JoAnn’s enthusiasm for mission interdisciplinary arts and sciences to work in New England, California was contagious and caused Donna that focused on the inter-relatedness and Ohio. She also cared for her aging to reflect on her childhood dream of of religion and health. After each parents for many years and taught becoming a missionary. Donna traveled accomplishment, as well as after her philosophy and religious studies at on a short-term mission to Ethiopia ordination as a minister in the late ’80s, Youngstown (Ohio) State University— with JoAnn and was excited to work she thought, “Now I’m ready. God will courses she will also teach during her with the Oromo people, especially send me now.” Each time, however, she two-year mission as a professor at because she had learned through DNA sensed it wasn’t God’s idea of the right Zomba Theological College in South testing that her ancestral heritage on her time. Central Africa. Students of ZTC father’s side is 99.4% from the Oromo represent all five Church of Central people of Ethiopia. Africa Presbyterian synods: Blantyre, That trip prompted Donna to PROVIDE SUPPORT Harare, Livingstonia, Nkhoma and complete an online application for Support Donna’s mission in Malawi. Zambia spread across the countries of mission service at pcusa.org/onedoor. pcusa.org/donate/E074870 Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. She attended an orientation in October A few years ago Donna met retired 2015, initially planning to serve in

2 Spring 2017 Ethiopia. At orientation she learned FAREWELL TO A DEDICATED about the teaching position in Malawi. AFRICAN-AMERICAN TEACHER When she learned the courses she would Retired mission co-worker Sanford Taborn teach at ZTC were the same as she had passed away on November 28, 2016, at age taught in Ohio, she became convinced 68 after a sudden deterioration in his health. that the timing of the position in Malawi was according to God’s plan. Sanford taught English in Okinawa and Since her retirement, Donna has Nagoya, Japan, nearly four decades, earning been learning to play the harp—another him the distinctions of being the first African- long-time dream. She will take her harp American Presbyterian mission worker to with her to Malawi and continue lessons serve in Okinawa, and the longest serving Mission co-worker Sanford Taborn is via Skype. African-American Presbyterian mission survived by his wife, Emiko. Even though several decades have worker anywhere. passed since she initially recognized introduce others to Jesus through many God’s call, Donna remains excited and He worked as a newspaper reporter in his church and community outreach activities. He expectant about mission work. She’s hometown of Roanoke, Virginia, before continued to serve at Kinjo Gakuin University looking forward to all God has planned. accepting appointment to missionary service in Nagoya, Japan, even after his missionary The Rev. Debbie Braaksma, Africa at the invitation of the United Church of service ended in March 2015. area coordinator, is pleased that Donna Christ in Japan in 1973. has answered God’s call to mission. Sanford’s cross-cultural skills and dedication “She is a very special person. Her Sanford served with his wife, Emiko. Together to teaching were highly regarded in Okinawa wisdom and life experiences are so they provided a ministry of presence to and Japan. needed in Malawi.”

SOUTH KOREA CONGO THE MIDDLE EAST The Rev. Kyung-Chik Han, a legendary In 1957, after more than a quarter of a century Presbyterian missionary the Rev. Paul Korean Presbyterian pastor and a tireless as faithful and joyous church leaders in the Seto, son of Japanese immigrants, served advocate for refugees and the poor, was Congo, Elder Isaac Kanyinda and his wife, in the Middle East, in Syria and Lebanon, born in North Korea in 1902. He fled to Ngoya Esete Kanyinda—the first Christian and remained at his post in Tehran—even South Korea to escape persecution. Though Congolese missionaries of the Presbyterian through part of the Iranian revolution— he considered himself to be a “typical Church in the Congo—visited the U.S. to facilitating Christian-Muslim dialogue Korean pastor,” Rev. Han founded more attend the World Mission Conference at without compromising his own faith. than 500 churches worldwide, expanding Montreat and to speak in churches. Isaac was He found his calling in the mission field, the Presbyterian Church’s mission outreach baptized as an infant and made a personal devoting his life to crossing cultural, political in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. profession of faith at age 10. His parents and racial barriers. His 1944 interracial In 1992, he received the Templeton Prize took him to the Rev. Dr. Motte Martin, a [Japanese-American] marriage to Genevieve for Progress in Religion [about 1 million Presbyterian evangelist and church builder in Reynolds was illegal in the U.S. at the time. dollars], which was presented by His Royal the Congo, for a service of dedication, saying He was ahead of his time in many ways. His Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, symbolically, “We are putting our child in the son, Ted, remarked, “For him, creation of a in a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace. offering plate of God, that he may do the world in which all could feel included and Commenting on his prize, Rev. Han said, “I work of God always.” Isaac grew up to teach cared for was what the church was about, was a millionaire for less than one hour, and Bible and music at the Mission Theological and his life and ministry reflected that.” then I gave the check to the pastor of the School in the Congo. He could often be seen Young Nak [Presbyterian] Church to help at daybreak writing exercises for his classes on with rebuilding churches in North Korea.” the chalkboard. His wife served as president of the women’s auxiliary of the church and taught two hours a day in the school for students’ wives, in addition to caring for their 10 children.

2 Spring 2017 Mission Crossroads 3 Life’s classroom My story of mission as a woman of Latina-Hispanic heritage Matilde Moros Photo courtesy PrincetonPhoto courtesy Theological Seminary

Professor Moros led an ethics workshop at Princeton Theological Seminary in October 2014.

y call to mission is the result if “mission in reverse” from the global me a different perspective and insight of mission work, mission south to the global north is something into our Trinitarian God and our global schools, theological education that needs to happen more? church. Mand the rooting of the Protestant As a person of Latina/Hispanic For two years I was co-moderator Reformation in Latin America where, mixed heritage, I view my transnational of the special committee studying the since the 15th century, the largest identity as a gift and a challenge to Confession of Belhar, as commissioned numbers of historically and culturally the Presbyterian Church. After all, by the General Assembly of the Roman Catholics have lived. Ours is persons like myself represent a growing PC(USA). In June 2016, after many a religiously pluralistic region where population in the U.S. years of struggling with the Confession popular religions—and now the fastest By 2050 the church, as well as the of Belhar, the commissioners voted growing “nondenominational” Christian national population, will reflect society, (540-33) to approve this South movements in the world—coexist with regardless of how difficult it may be for a African confession as our own. Belhar leading theologies of the future, as well as majority white denomination to change. recognizes racial segregation as sin and with Christian theologies many centuries It seems inevitable that the church will rings true to my experience as a person old. require mixed-heritage members in of mixed racial ethnic heritage, both As a fourth-generation Protestant of mission service to the church itself. I Latin American and Latinx-American, the historic churches—an uncommon find that not only my Latina heritage whose children are a further mix of occurrence in Latin America—I wonder but also my mix of family cultures give who I am and their African-American

4 Spring 2017 Photo courtesy PrincetonPhoto courtesy Theological Seminary

father. Theologically Belhar proclaims unity, reconciliation and justice, which makes sense as Reformed, decolonizing theology. The work of mission has helped to spread and plant the seeds of the Reformed tradition in many places like South Africa and Venezuela. But it is justice that makes the work of the family of God possible. My life story does not begin in mission, but perhaps it is because of mission that my life has a particular transformational message for our life together as a national and global church. I was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, into a household of global theologians. Matilde Moros is a theologian and professor in the Humanities Department at Virginia In 2011, I gave a talk at the Biblical Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. University of Costa Rica, where the excited librarian found records father, a Venezuelan national, was guided me into leadership and mission. and photographs belonging to past ordained as a national pastor of the Through the predecessor to the students who just happened to be my Presbyterian Church of Venezuela, Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Young grandparents. In the early 20th century his first pastorate. My mother, a U.S. Adult Volunteer program, my spouse my paternal grandparents came from national, waited more than 30 years after and I were Diaconal workers in Venezuela and Guatemala to Costa Rica receiving her Master of Divinity degree Colombia and Venezuela in the early to study theology. My grandfather was before being ordained and sent into the ’90s. Much of the mission happened trained as a pastor and my grandmother mission field in Latin America, where after I was an adult, but my birth story as a Christian educator. Their parents she had moved in 1965. and childhood and my mixed heritage had converted to Christianity a My mother was a theological identity were shaped by mission and generation earlier, and this Protestant educator in Colombia and Venezuela, ministry as well. rooting took shape through theological and later in Spain. My father served My story of how mission shaped my education. My father had been aided by the PC(USA) in Colombia in the late life and that of my family and church is Presbyterian missionaries in Venezuela so ’90s as an educator and rector of a a story of transformation. If mission has he could attend a Presbyterian college in seminary, which at that time was shared led me to a journey of transformation, the U.S., since the Venezuelan university by Presbyterians of Colombia, Venezuela transformation itself has been my he planned to attend had been closed by and Ecuador. My parents’ official journey. In God’s family there is no the government. mission work continued to Spain, where hierarchy of power based on culture or On the other side of my family, my for seven years they both taught at the country. We are all one in Christ sent maternal grandfather in Pennsylvania Evangelical United Theological Seminary to be in relationship with people—all was an ordained Presbyterian elder, on the outskirts of Madrid. people. and my mother grew up in a Protestant When I was a teen we, as a family, family, with a Protestant worldview. lived in the U.S. for the first time Hers was a poor farming family, and because my parents were doing doctoral Presbyterian pastors helped my mother studies. I learned about Southern and CONNECT WITH MISSION financially to attend a Presbyterian Northern Presbyterianism, and the PARTNERSHIPS IN SOUTH college and later a Presbyterian seminary. history of prophetic, post segregation AMERICA My parents met and married in ministry in the U.S. My mentors were Support the work of Dennis Smith, college and attended seminary together pastors who led protests and gave regional liaison for South America, and to prepare for a life of ministry and prophetic sermons, and a Mexican- his wife, Maribel. mission. The month of my birth, my American Presbyterian leader who pcusa.org/donate/E200481

4 Spring 2017 Mission Crossroads 5 African-Americans bless the mission of God from past to present For many, God’s call to mission service is unmistakably clear and based on the universal love of Jesus Christ—a love so deep and so wide that it knows no boundaries. Presbyterian Society Historical king’s rule over the Congo Free State as a William Sheppard personal possession not subject to review Missionary to the Belgian Congo by the Belgian government. Sheppard, who arrived in the Michael Parker Congo in May 1890, was well aware that he was entering a region deadly to arly in our Presbyterian history Westerners. The rivers and lakes were of international mission, William filled with crocodiles and hippopotami, Sheppard took on the challenge and the dense forests with elephants and ofE evangelism in a distant, unknown panthers. One was not safe at home, as land. His faith helped to build the the houses were invaded by scorpions, The Rev. Dr. William H. Sheppard, his church; his advocacy for the Congolese chigoes (small fleas or “jiggers”) and wife, Lucy, and their children, ca. 1900 changed the world. snakes. Common illnesses included Though often neglected today, deadly “blackwater fever” and malaria. By one estimate, the Congo was William Sheppard (1865–1927) was Sheppard suffered 22 bouts of malaria in producing 20,000 tons of crude rubber an important black leader and the his first two years. a year at a 900 percent profit. The high first African-American to serve as a The Congolese soon grew to love return was due largely to cheap labor. missionary in central Africa. He played Sheppard, whom they referred to as As word of atrocities leaked out of a crucial role in exposing the scandal of Mundele Ndom. William Phipps, a the Congo in 1896, Leopold responded Belgian King Leopold II’s depredations recent biographer, translated this name with sham investigations and hollow in the Congo, a story revived in popular as “black man with clothes.” Sheppard promises of reform. The American culture by Adam Hochschild’s 1998 learned Bushonga, the language of the Presbyterian Congo Mission (APCM) bestseller, King Leopold’s Ghost. Kuba, which he described as “highly decided to become a whistleblower. Sheppard was born in Waynesboro, inflected and musical.” In 1899 it directed Sheppard to Virginia, about a month before the Sheppard came to appreciate the investigate personally the villages that end of the Civil War. In 1880, at the culture, becoming a collector of Kuba were purportedly being attacked by the age of 15, he attended the Hampton crafts. Zappo Zaps, a subtribe of the BaSonga (Virginia) Normal and Industrial However, he was not a cultural Menos that Leopold’s agents employed Institute (later Hampton University) and relativist. He opposed belief in in the Kasai district. They were cannibals then Tuscaloosa Theological Institute witchcraft and practices such as interring who filed their teeth to a point, tattooed (later Stillman College) in Alabama, live slaves with deceased superiors and their faces, and carried poisoned-dipped graduating in 1886. After serving for a the “trial by ordeal” of drinking poison. spears and arrows. Leopold supplied year at Calvary Presbyterian Church in Ivory and slaves had been the these mercenaries with guns to terrorize Montgomery, Alabama, the Presbyterian Congo’s main exports, but Leopold the Congolese into harvesting rubber for Church in the U.S. ordained him as a focused on rubber. The mass marketing him. missionary. of bicycles and automobiles in the 1890s On encountering the Zappo Zaps, The region of the Congo, which had greatly increased the demand for rubber Sheppard feared for this life. He soon only recently been explored, caught the and sent prices soaring. When a rubber discovered, however, that they assumed attention of King Leopold II of Belgium. producing vine was discovered in the all foreigners were allied to Leopold, so The Berlin Conference, held in 1884-85 rainforests of Congo in 1890, Leopold they did not hesitate to describe their to regulate European colonization and forced out the competition and acquired activities to him. Sheppard carried trade in Africa, officially recognized the a monopoly on the scarce commodity. with him a Kodak camera, which was

6 Spring 2017 Presbyterian Society Historical Presbyterian Society Historical

William H. Sheppard with his wife, Lucy Gantt Sheppard, ca. 1900 Annie Taylor, left, and Lucy and William Sheppard pose with a dead snake.

just then becoming popular. He took 1909 trial when the prosecution could years of Leopold’s rule in the Congo, photographs of the atrocities and wrote a produce no evidence to support its the population declined by about 50 damning report. accusations. percent. The APCM hired William Morrison The Belgian legislature ended Sheppard returned to the U.S. in as its legal representative. Morrison, a Leopold’s control of the Congo on 1910 and soon settled in Louisville, Presbyterian missionary in the Congo, November 15, 1908, and issued a new Kentucky, where he served as pastor of wrote letters, gave speeches and twisted charter that placed the Congo under Grace Presbyterian Church and helped arms in private. His actions led the its control. Amid scandal and disgrace, to establish a highly successful settlement British Parliament to pass a unanimous Leopold died in 1909, several weeks house for Louisville’s black population. resolution calling on the signers of the after Sheppard’s trial. During the 25 He died on November 27, 1927. Berlin accord of 1885 to take action to Presbyterian Society Historical protect the Congolese. In 1904, Sheppard returned home on furlough and, like Morrison, spoke out against the cruelties taking place in the Congo. President Theodore Roosevelt received Sheppard at the White House on January 14, 1905, to hear the case against Leopold. In 1906 the U.S. Senate gave unanimous support for a resolution introduced by Senator Henry Cabot Lodge that called on the president to take measures to end the atrocities in the Congo. Sheppard returned to the Congo in 1906 and in 1907 wrote an article for a church journal in which he attacked the Kasai Rubber Company, a Belgian contractor, for the degradations occurring in the Kasai basin. The company brought libel charges against him, but these were dropped at the Sheppard, left, with two Congolese men and camels

6 Spring 2017 Mission Crossroads 7 Courtesy of Darius and of Darius Courtesy Vera Swann

Darius and Vera Swann personally by deepening their faith. Darius Leander “Lee” Swann was Answering God’s call to India, born in Amelia, Virginia, in 1926. He China and the U.S. Civil Rights was the youngest of 10 children, and his Movement parents were poor farmers. Lee attended college and seminary at Johnson C. Michael Parker Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina, one of the racial ethnic arius and Vera Swann used universities founded by Presbyterians. their skills as educators to After graduation in 1948, the spread the gospel in Asia Presbyterian Church sent Lee to China andD become an important part of the as the first African-American missionary Presbyterian mission legacy. Growing to a non-African country. Lee was up in the segregated South, the Swanns’ teaching at Nanking University when mission service was shaped by inequities the Communists captured the city in they knew firsthand. That perspective April 1949. He was allowed to stay, but would lead them to show respect and when the Korean War began in 1950, tolerance for their interfaith students he was politely urged to leave by his and eventually would call them back Chinese colleagues. to the U.S. to seek change in the midst On returning to Charlotte, Lee met of our own racial division. The Swanns Vera Poe, who had been a freshman at transformed the lives of students Johnson C. Smith when he was in his Darius and Vera Swann served the in India and China, in addition to third year in seminary. Vera had grown Presbyterian Church as the first African- founding the Maria Fearing Fund up in a segregated society in the small American missionaries to a non-African for African and African-American town of Cheraw, South Carolina. Raised country. Partnership in mission to promote a Methodist, she became a Presbyterian spiritual growth, education and cultural in college. city of Allahabad. During this time, exchanges between and among African Lee and Vera married in 1952 and he organized the Christian Drama people on the African continent and sailed as missionaries to India. Lee Program, using theatre to train pastors those in the diaspora. Their journey taught English and served as a chaplain and teachers. Vera worked in the drama in Mission has transformed them at Ewing Christian College in the program with her husband and taught Bible classes at the college. She also helped launch the Jamna Christian Basic School and a home for vagrant boys. When the Swanns returned to the U.S. in 1964, Lee taught practical theology, mission and homiletics at Johnson C. Smith. The issue of where Courtesy of Darius and Vera Swann Vera Courtesy of Darius and their 6-year-old son, James, would attend school brought the civil-rights era home to the couple. Told to enroll him in a black school six blocks away when a white school was only two blocks away, they refused. Twenty- five others joined them as plaintiffs in Swann vs. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education. The case wound its way through the Darius and Vera with friends in India, 1952 courts from 1965 to 1971, when the

8 Spring 2017 Courtesy of Darius and of Darius Courtesy Vera Swann

York and then a Ph.D. in Asian theater at the University of Hawaii in 1971. Vera received an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters (L.L.D.) from the Interdenominational Theological Center through Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary in Atlanta in 2013. From 1971 to 1984 Lee was a professor at George Mason University in Virginia, and from 1984 to 1993 he taught at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Georgia. Vera served on the Board of Trustees of Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary, was the moderator of the National Black Presbyterians Women, and was president of the Greater Atlanta Presbytery’s National Black Presbyterian Darius and Vera Swann flanked by family and friends at Burke Presbyterian Church in Caucus. Lake Ridge, Virginia They are now retired and live in northern Virginia. Supreme Court ruled in their favor in busing to desegregate schools, a practice a 9-0 decision that upheld an earlier that soon became widespread in the Michael Parker, a PC(USA) mission co-worker in federal court decision ordering the South. Egypt, serves as the director of Graduate Studies desegregation of Charlotte’s schools. Lee earned a master’s degree from at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in The landmark case launched the use of Union Theological Seminary in New Cairo.

A LEGACY OF SERVICE . . . • From house servant to student to teacher to missionary, at age 56 • 59 African-Americans served on mission in Liberia between 1833 Maria Fearing’s call to mission was so strong she sold her home and 1895. The first of these, James Temple, was appointed by the and, paying her own expenses, traveled to the Congo where she Presbytery of Philadelphia. worked tirelessly translating the Bible, promoting Christianity and helping orphans. • Medical missionary Althea Brown Edmiston’s term of service in Congo—35 years—is among the longest periods ever served by any black woman missionary of the U.S. Presbyterian Church.

• Frances Camille and Robert Milton Williams-Neal served in Brazil and Congo. Frances’ ministry as a nurse-evangelist with expectant mothers earned her a Congolese name meaning “Mother Flower.” Robert taught church history and English courses, and led worship services for congregations without pastors.

• Acy Jackson, an educational missionary at a school for young boys in West Pakistan, taught many Christian and Muslim students who had never before seen an African-American. He also served several During her ministry in the Congo for more than two decades, Maria years alongside the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Iran as a (pronounced Ma-rye-ah) Fearing’s front porch at Luebo Mission teacher and program director. Station became a gathering place for the Congolese people.

8 Spring 2017 Mission Crossroads 9 God, give me the faith to go Answering God’s call begins with a this folklore and being terribly fearful of included—and the ministry of presence heartfelt prayer for faith any body of water (I had almost drowned as I walk with the host community at in a few feet of water just days earlier!), I their pace through the challenges of Leisa TonieAnn Wagstaff wanted to do everything to ensure that I having been born in places where people returned to a place where I felt God was have not been allowed to reach their Today, African-American mission co- calling me. Trembling with fear, I waded fullest potential. workers continue the transforming work out to the spot where the rivers met and Some people are under the impression of God’s mission, answering the call to asked God to give me the faith to go in that I have given up much in order to service through Presbyterian World Mission. whichever direction I was sent. be here. What is not understood is that Leisa Wagstaff, currently serving in South Thirty plus years later I have returned in accepting God’s call, I am receiving Sudan, shares her personal reflection on this to the area of South Sudan after having much more than I can ever possibly irresistible call. Like the mission workers journeyed in faith with citizens in several give. African communities have taught who served a century before her, Leisa has other African countries. People often ask me the true essence of compassion found herself personally transformed. That me in which capacities I have served. I and faithfulness, even in the midst of is the essence of God’s mission. respond: strengthening communities as the most adverse of settings, and have they seek to provide education; training welcomed me as a part of their extended always knew—as simple as this—that pastors, lay leaders and primary school families and cultures. This is the richness God was calling me to full-time teachers; administrating schools and of the blessings of accepting my call. ministry. Growing up in a rural curriculums; training youth workers; Iand traditional African-American faith coaching gymnastics, and so on. I Read more about Leisa’s work in five African setting, however, I could not imagine believe my most important work to countries on page 20. opportunities for a future in ministry. The be the sharing of self—shortcomings

people who had answered God’s call were Sharon Kandel all preachers—and all men. I remember begging God to not make me be a preacher, for I did not want to be the lone female. The only other option I was aware of was to become a nun. From early on I enjoyed learning about other cultures, meeting people from diverse backgrounds and watching my family feed anyone and everyone, but I did not know how this was impacting my life. Greater clarity came during my college years when I participated in a work-study travel program in Africa. Being far from home, yet with another group of God’s people, felt right. While gazing out at the point where the White Nile and Blue Nile rivers meet, I was told of the belief in the Sudanese culture that if one managed to put a foot in each river at the same time, one would return. Although not really holding to

GO INTO ALL THE WORLD Support Leisa’s work in South Sudan. pcusa.org/donate/E200501 In South Sudan, education helps young people recognize their potential and transforms generations to come.

10 Spring 2017 Discerning God’s call to mission “We were starving for a church on the edge.” Rachel Yates

cott Parker used the word starving Mission co-workers are not all teaching in which they are serving. We value the to explain how he and his wife, elders and seminary graduates. In recent perspectives and experiences that diverse Elmarie, chose to serve in Syria, appointments, we’ve hired a truck driver, mission co-workers can offer. For instance, SIraq and Lebanon. Some may find it a farmer, a teacher and an artist. In God’s Cathy Chang writes in this issue of hard to believe the Parkers deliberately mission, the opportunities for mission Mission Crossroads (pages 14–15) how sought appointment to a location rife service apply to all. Our mission is both she and her husband’s separate, personal proclamation and service and focuses on experiences of forced migration have the work that Jesus began: sharing the helped them serve with people impacted Mission co-workers are not all Good News, addressing the root causes by issues of migration and human teaching elders and seminary of poverty and seeking reconciliation in trafficking. Our mission workers’ various graduates. In recent appointments, cultures of violence. cultural backgrounds, language sets and We are grateful for the increasing race bring a richness to God’s mission that we’ve hired a truck driver, a farmer, racial-ethnic diversity of our mission we seek in our mission candidates. a teacher and an artist. In God’s co-workers and long-term volunteers. For more information, visit pcusa. mission, the opportunities for More than one-quarter of our mission org/msr or contact Mission Personnel at mission service apply to all. personnel are people of color. Of the last [email protected] or 800-728-7228 nine appointees, only two were Caucasian. x2530. More and more, our mission personnel with violence. But such is the discernment reflect the amazing diversity of the world Rachel Yates is associate director for program in process with World Mission, a ministry World Mission.

of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. Braaksma Del Candidates with a hunger to serve in God’s mission apply out of varying senses of call. Some have substantial international experience already and want to formalize the capacity in which they’ve already been serving. Others apply timidly, not knowing whether they are ready for mission service. In all, we recognize the application is part of a three-way discernment process involving the applicant, World Mission and the global partner with which the mission co-worker will be serving. The process can take many months. It includes the articulation of the applicant’s sense of call, examination of the work experience and education, physical and psychological testing, and multiple interviews. Once accepted, the orientation phase begins. The process is designed to New mission personnel celebrate their appointments to serve World Mission alongside ensure that the candidates are equipped global partners. From left: Cathy Chang and Juan Lopez (Southeast Asia); Donna and prepared for service, typically four- Sloan (Malawi); Josey Saez-Acevedo and David Cortes-Fuentes (Cuba) and Melissa and year terms. Charles Johnson (Zambia).

10 Spring 2017 Mission Crossroads 11 Mission at our doorstep The Great Commission begins at home Fahed AbuAkel

“. . . you will be my witnesses in degree at Columbia Theological Seminary Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to (CTS) in Decatur, Georgia. the ends of earth.” —Acts 1:8 As a Palestinian Arab Orthodox It was at CTS that I discovered Christian believer, my mother the rich and long mission history of esus is calling all of us to be his wanted her children to pray, read the PC(USA) and decided to join the witnesses at home, work and every Scripture and take it to heart Presbyterian Church. I attended an annual place we visit—to be his change agents mission conference at Montreat and began J and for the gospel to transform us and through memorization. She to learn about the transforming power of transform the people we are working with. grounded my faith from the time I mission worldwide. For me, two women transformed my was young. That mission happens not only life: Adlah AbuAkel, my mother, and through professional mission workers Dr. Doris Wilson, a Scottish missionary but through everyone committed to serving in the Middle East. Because of another 530 Palestinian villages and playing a role in God’s mission. In 1973, their witness, they nurtured in me a towns, exiling nearly a million Palestinians through CTS, I was connected to First calling to mission service. who became refugees. Presbyterian Church of Atlanta and I was born 25 miles northwest of In the midst of war, destruction and began my ministry directing a church- Nazareth in Galilee to Palestinian Arab occupation, what was the transforming sponsored after-school program for Spring Christian parents in the village of Kuffer- power in our lives? It was the love of Street Elementary students. I witnessed Yassif. I was 4 years old in 1948 during parents and family and my mother’s faith the transforming power of volunteers the war that the Palestinian people call in Jesus Christ. touching the lives of children every day as al-Nakbah, which means “the As a Palestinian Arab Orthodox they took time to care, play and teach the catastrophe.” The only thing I remember Christian believer, my mother wanted her children of our community. is running around with my father and children to pray, read Scripture and take five sisters and two brothers looking for it to heart through memorization. She my mother as Israeli troops drove us from grounded my faith from the time I was That mission happens not only our home. Suddenly, when I looked up, young. through professional mission my mother was standing on the flat roof My faith and call to mission were workers but through everyone of our house waving goodbye. She stayed deepened by my connection to Dr. Doris behind while we went up east to the Wilson, a medical missionary from committed to playing a role in God’s mountain. We were put in makeshift tents Scotland, who came with Ruth Lenox mission. in a Palestinian refugee camp. After several and rented the second floor in our home months we returned to our home and in Kuffer-Yassif. Doris worked with found my mother still alive. She said if the the Anglican church in our village and I also witnessed the transforming Israeli troops had wanted to kill her, they opened a medical clinic. Doris and Ruth power of the gospel when First would have had to kill her at home. She transformed our village through their lives Presbyterian began a Bus Ministry to assist wouldn’t leave our home, our land and and witness. older residents of our community with our church. Because we did not have any Bible grocery shopping. Upon our return we discovered college or seminary in Israel, I came to Then I saw the transforming power of that five Palestinian villages next to our the U.S. to study, arriving in Lakeland, the gospel in the lives of junior and senior village had been completely destroyed. In Florida, on January 29, 1966. After high school students who traveled to Israel 1948–49, the new state of Israel destroyed college I earned my Master of Divinity and Palestine with Herb and Mary Archer

12 Spring 2017 Atlanta Ministry with International Students Atlanta Ministry

The Rev. Fahed AbuAkel, front (center), founded the Atlanta Ministry with International Students (AMIS), a ministry of hospitality and friendship linking international and American students, nearly 40 years ago.

on a short-term mission. The Archers elderly or children. God calls each of us taught them to sing in Arabic. God calls each of us to mission. to mission. Sometimes that involves a Similarly, Atlanta Ministry with Sometimes that involves a Scottish Scottish doctor coming to Palestine to International Students (AMIS) is a be a witness of Christian faith. In my transformative ecumenical “mission at doctor coming to Palestine to be case, I am a Palestinian Christian who our doorstep.” It was started nearly 40 a witness of Christian faith. In my came to the U.S. to engage in a variety of years ago, in March 1978, to increase the case, I am a Palestinian Christian missions. number of international students drawn who came to the U.S. to engage in a We follow a rich legacy of mission to Atlanta-area colleges and universities workers, and we share a calling to be through a ministry of hospitality and variety of missions. change agents so the gospel may transform friendship linking international students us and transform the people with whom with American students. My life has nations. This means that every five to we work. been transformed by founding AMIS eight years, the U.S. educates one million and serving as its executive director leaders with bachelors, masters, doctorate The Rev. Dr. Fahed AbuAkel, Presbytery of Greater until 2012. Initially there were 2,500 and other degrees. These international Atlanta, is the first Arab-American to lead a major international students from 100 nations students and scholars will be the future U.S. denomination. Fahed served as moderator involved. Today, 30 colleges and political, economic, religious and social of the 214th General Assembly of the Presbyterian universities in Metro Atlanta minister to leaders of their nations. Church U.S.A. (2002-03). 14,000 international students from more The struggle is for each PC(USA) than 175 nations through AMIS. congregation to consider the part it BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS In 1955 there were approximately will play in God’s mission. Perhaps it is Support the work of World Mission’s 35,000 international students in the U.S. beginning a ministry of friendship and facilitator for peacemaking and mission Today that number has grown to more hospitality with international students. partnerships in Israel and Palestine. than 800,000 students representing 200 Maybe it involves assistance to the pcusa.org/donate/E200516

12 Spring 2017 Mission Crossroads 13 Fanning the flames of faith Missionary journey spans generations to reach migrants and victims of human trafficking Cathy Chang Rosaline Maria Rosaline am a Korean-American Presbyterian, but that does not define all I am,” were the opening lines of my seminary Iapplication essays, ordination process paperwork and grant applications. Those lines came at a turning point after serving as a Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) in Egypt in 2003. Those applications helped me re-evaluate my 20-something years of life, with special focus on short-term mission experiences as a high school student, college student and young adult. I sensed the stirrings of ministry that might look more multicultural than the boundaries of my familiar upbringing. At the same time, Korea was becoming more than a place to visit my extended family, a reason to wake up early Saturday morning for language school. As I learned Front row (far right), Cathy Chang’s mother, Haewon Lee, with her parents and siblings more about my history, heritage and faith, in Korea (1950s). I began to recognize and appreciate my calling to mission. As early as those ’tween years in my photo at my uncle’s home: former Egypt I grew up in central New Jersey with life, my uncle emerged as an important President Anwar Sadat. fond memories of visiting my uncle’s presence. He introduced my parents to During that same year in Egypt, I home filled with many books and faded each other in the early ’70s, and almost learned about another country called pictures. Right around that time, my 30 years later, he introduced me to the Chile, through the experience of meeting maternal grandparents moved to Stony PC(USA) through the YAV program. Juan Lopez. He was from France but Point, New York, from South Korea. Serving in Egypt as a YAV, using survival spoke Spanish. As a mission volunteer This is when I first heard stories about Arabic, it was my uncle’s name that with Action Chrétienne en Orient, Juan my mother and how her family fled created an almost instant connection. taught French at New Ramses College. from communists. Had it not been With the simple introduction of “She is He also tutored young girls at Fowler for an aunt who insisted that her niece the niece of Syngman Rhee,” many older Orphanage, created by missionaries with (my mother) stay with the family, my church leaders in the Synod of the Nile the Board of Foreign Missions. In French mother would have been left behind treated me with the same respect, as if he and broken English, Juan shared how his during that harrowing journey. Somehow were right there with me. Having served family was affected by Chile’s military in those difficult times, my mother’s previously with Presbyterian mission coup in 1973. We also talked about the family managed to escape and to survive. workers in the Middle East, my uncle differences between communism in Chile My maternal grandfather was a well- still had many colleagues in the synod. and Korea. He seemed to know more respected church elder. Their family was Flashbacks to my childhood had come full about Chile than I knew about Korea, and Christian and Presbyterian because of the circle after having lived in Egypt, when this made me want to learn more about efforts of a Presbyterian missionary. I realized who graced one prominent both of our countries.

14 Spring 2017 Photo by Kraus Laurie Photo by Kraus Laurie

On a recent visit to southern Philippines Mission co-worker Cathy Chang tours rebuilding efforts three years after Typhoon with staff from Presbyterian Disaster Haiyan devastated portions of southern Philippines. The construction is being Assistance, mission co-worker Cathy completed by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance in partnership with the United Church Chang, regional facilitator for addressing of Christ in the Philippines. migration and human trafficking in Southeast Asia, enjoys a lighthearted by the issues of migration and human God was at work in our lives and still moment with a healthy pig. trafficking. While our recent experience at work in the world. Since moving to in the United States has focused on the Manila in March 2016, we know that Over next five years we dreamed local community and local church, we we live among people and in a place that about our life together in mission. After have strived to work with people who is both familiar and completely new to serving in Egypt, Juan moved back to are crossing all sorts of borders and both of us. With common experiences of France and worked as a social worker boundaries, because our families have Spanish and Japanese colonialism, we are while I completed my seminary studies. made similar journeys. now learning more about communism After many years of waiting, in 2008, I Praying at that time about what and American colonialism, among was ordained to the ministry of word and our next steps might look like, I saw many other things. We look forward sacrament, and we were married. While that my heritage, history and faith were to cultivating new connections and I served in pastoral roles in Presbyterian taking on new meaning. After preparing collaborative actions with our church churches in Pennsylvania and Michigan our application for service with World partners in the Philippines and in and Juan worked as a social worker, we Mission through the Presbyterian Mission Southeast Asia. grew and matured as individuals and as Agency, I learned that my uncle was ill a couple in our desires to serve others and dying. Although his earthly days were World Mission regional facilitators Cathy Chang through mission. coming to a close, I was confident that and Juan Lopez help global partners address From the recent news stories of his legacy of ministry and mission could migration and human trafficking issues in refugees and unprecedented migration continue through my calling. My late Southeast Asia. around the world, my family’s history uncle’s legacy, along with my maternal and heritage and faith, combined with family’s heritage, history and faith, are Juan’s, re-emerged into our awareness and the flames of faith that I am fanning MAKE A DIFFERENCE prompted us to move toward another into fullness with Juan and our daughter, Support Cathy and Juan’s work in ministry. We prayed whether our personal Aurélie. Southeast Asia. experiences of forced migration might This is why we accepted this calling to pcusa.org/donate/E200533 help us to serve the very people impacted mission in the Philippines: We perceive

14 Spring 2017 Mission Crossroads 15 Please pray for... Mission Co-worker Please pray for... Rev. Sarah Henken Mission Co-workers and the people of South America’s Rev. Cathy Chang Andean region and Juan Lopez and the people of the Philippines pcusa.org/sarah-henken [email protected] pcusa.org/cathy-chang-and-juan-lopez [email protected] Carrera 38 #74-179 Address [email protected] Barranquilla, Atlántico eveniftheskyfalls.wordpress.com blog Colombia Address 877 EDSA, West Triangle

Quezon City, 1104 Philippines

Please pray for... Mission Co-workers Please pray for... Rev. Michael Ludwig Mission co-worker and Rachel Ludwig Burkhard Paetzold and the people of Niger and the people of Central and pcusa.org/ludwig-michael-and-rachel Eastern Europe pcusa.org/burkhard-paetzold [email protected] Address Wiesenstr. 15 15370 Petershagen Germany

Paetzold.indd 1

9/2/16 2:40 PM An invitation Sessions and congregations For your convenience, we are providing a few simple options for you to use in submitting your gifts. Congregations can send contributions through regular receiving channels, usually presbyteries, or send Directed Mission Support (DMS) gifts directly to the address below. Those gifts designated to DMS accounts will be reported to the presbytery. We urge you to report DMS contributions directly to your presbytery in order to keep them informed of your denominational support.

Individuals Individuals should use the numbers beginning with E to provide financial support to specific mission workers. If you desire, you can also give online at presbyterianmission.org/supportwm. You may also write the name of the mission co-worker on the memo line of the check; mail it to the address below, and we will confirm your designation and intent.

Give to the sending and support of your mission co-workers: • Visit pcusa.org/supportwm. • Call 800-728-7228 x5611.

Please send gifts to: Presbyterian World Mission P.O. Box 643700 Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700 Please make checks payable to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

For additional information, please contact: Nicole Gerkins Mission Engagement Associate Mission Engagement and Support [email protected] 16 Spring 2017 Melva Costen Enriching the life of the church through global music and theological education Pat Cole

elva Costen exudes a faith helped us understand God in a different that crosses borders through light.” the sharing of songs and the The music from Africa and other shapingM of pastors. places around the world, she says, has As a professor of music and worship enriched the entire PC(USA). at the Interdenominational Theological After James retired in 1997, the Center (ITC) in Atlanta, she shared the Costens joined with PCEA leaders music of the world with future pastors to help develop the church’s second and others. Melva, now retired, brought theological school. Although it has this passion to her work as a member evolved into the Presbyterian University of the committee that produced the of East Africa, theological education first hymnal of the newly reunited remains a key component of its mission, As a musician and professor, Melva Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). says Jon Chapman, who was the Costen shared a global perspective that Melva’s love for the global music of PC(USA)’s coordinator for East and continues to strengthen churches in the the church was especially nurtured by Southern Africa when the school was U.S. and beyond. Kenyans who studied at ITC. Melva and founded. her late husband, James, who became The Costens’ tireless fundraising president of ITC in 1983, began building helped put the seminary on a firm relationships with Kenyan Presbyterians footing, says Chapman, who is now in the 1970s. At the time, James was retired and living in Dover, Delaware. dean of Johnson C. Smith Seminary, a “There is no way the school would Presbyterian seminary that was then part be where it is today without Jim and of the consortium of graduate theological Melva.” schools that comprise ITC. James, who died in 2003, was “When Jim and I made our first trip moderator of the United Presbyterian to Africa, we fell in love with the whole Church in the United States of America of Africa, especially Kenya,” Melva says. in 1982 when it reunited with the The Presbyterian Church of East Africa Presbyterian Church in the United States Melva Costen and her late husband, (PCEA) was growing rapidly, and its to form the PC(USA). Earlier, while James, formed a ministry partnership lone seminary in Kenya was struggling James was a pastor in North Carolina, he that crossed racial, cultural and political to train enough pastors to serve its and Melva worked to integrate schools boundaries. congregations. James and the PCEA and other public facilities. In Atlanta, arranged for dozens of students to come the Costens helped form an interracial others?” Her answer is leaving a legacy to Atlanta for study in a partnership congregation. James was instrumental of good across her church and around endorsed by U.S. Presbyterian mission in moving Johnson C. Smith from the world. leaders, Melva notes. Charlotte to Atlanta to join the ITC Through Kenyans and other African consortium, which had been formed students, Melva began to see more clearly by schools from historically African- STRENGTHEN MISSION the African roots of traditional African- American denominations. PARTNERSHIPS American songs. “It was amazing how For Melva, her motivation for service Support the work of Nancy Collins, black Americans were hungry to find is summed up with a single question: regional liaison East Central Africa. this,” Melva recalls. “It broadened our “What can I do with what God has pcusa.org/donate/E200471 perspectives as black Americans, and it given me to facilitate the ongoing life of

Mission Crossroads 17 Seeing gray

Alyson Kung Alyson Kung

he moment the teacher said they wanted to take pictures of the Americans, I got nervous. ThereT was a Korean language contest that we weren’t part of, but they wanted our pictures—or rather, I thought, my white housemates’ pictures. This type of near unabashed racial selection isn’t uncommon in Asia, and for universities, I knew that looking international and showcasing their diversity was good for their reputations. The only problem was that in Korea my Chinese face didn’t look diverse. My roommate, Emily, assured me she wouldn’t let them leave me out. When the day came for the photo A photographer sets up a photo to include Young Adult Volunteers and students of shoot, after an introduction in the several nationalities to promote a Korean language contest. auditorium, my housemates and I lined up with people of various un-Korean Sejong, the ruler who created the Korean be slightly different. I wasn’t unselected looking ethnicities, which included an writing system. I was surprised they as I feared and had the privilege of unusual amount of white people for the hadn’t pulled me out yet, and thought being in the photo, but my fears were area. The Chinese students, who were a perhaps it was just too awkward to call not baseless. We had made none of the majority of our class, along with a few out one person. Perhaps I was just hyper- choices. It was outside of our control in students of other Asian nationalities, aware of race at this point, but I noticed a culture not our own. My roommates were not invited to participate in these that a dark-skinned Filipino man was did not victimize me with their whiteness photos. I stood nervously, making sure I asked to hold the very center sign which and had stood by my side through it all. knew where my housemates were in case covered his face completely. It hurt to They had a chance to experience what it I got left behind, waiting for the other watch. After finally getting the shot they was like to be exoticized—an experience shoe to drop and for a teacher to call me wanted, the photographers asked my that no doubt opened their eyes to out of line. But no one did. roommates, Linda and Emily, to be in being “othered.” However, what they We all went out to a grassy field another photo shoot. They, along with did not experience was a shift in power between the university buildings, where a few other female students, posed with dynamics. They still carried their white they handed out signs spelling out a clipboards for a Korean language contest privilege with them, getting preferential sentence in Korean. One section held promo, despite not being part of the treatment for the color of their skin. nine squares that created a photo of King contest. Once all that was finished, we This was a common theme throughout took photos with just our class without the year, and one common to most the fancy photographers—Chinese international YAVs. EQUIP A YOUNG PERSON students included. In a predominately white program, Support the YAV program. The Americans took some time to my experience seems like the exception, pcusa.org/donate/E049075 reflect on the experience together. These but it is not. The greater Asian-American types of things happen everywhere, community has echoed many of my even in the U.S., though the roles may experiences of being abroad. I am not

18 Spring 2017 William Loder

Alyson Kung (right), a Young Adult Volunteer in Korea, shares a meal with HyeonJu Yoon and other volunteers after chestnut picking.

always a minority, and I am not always I appreciated my roommates listening work of listening and being constantly the one on the lower end of the power to my fears and standing by my side, but vigilant about others’ experiences beyond dynamics, especially with an American most importantly, I appreciate when they our own. passport. These kinds of experiences too can see what I see. I’m proud to have have granted me eyes to see shades of been part of a program that values my Alyson Kung is an alumna of the Young Adult gray beyond black and white—to see the experience and looks out for me as my Volunteer program (Korea, 2015–16). To learn Filipino man hidden in the photo, and roommates did, though the work is far more and to apply for the YAV program, visit my Chinese classmates waiting alongside from done. To create an inclusive space pcusa.org/yav. while we got our photos taken. in missions will mean putting in the hard

BE A YAV! ARE YOU DISCERNING GOD’S CALL?

Blake Collins

The Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program—a year of service for one’s faith—is a phenomenal next step for young adults interested 19- to 30-year-olds—continues to change my life. Living with my in discerning God’s call in their lives. Please share this opportunity host family and partnering with local communities in Comas, Peru, with young adults you know. through the power of presence is something that continues to transform me in my current ministry. The YAV year is 11 months—August thru July. If you are interested in international placement, the final date to apply is February 1, Through the YAV program, the work of the Joining Hands Network 2017. Application season will remain open for national sites until and the support of my home congregation, I witnessed God’s June 1. Follow @yavprogram on major social media platforms for people inspiring, equipping and connecting with one another to up-to-date info and an inside look at all YAV sites. address the root causes of poverty. The YAV experience—living in intentional Christian community while deepening and developing To learn more and apply, visit youngadultvolunteers.org/apply.

18 Spring 2017 Mission Crossroads 19 WORLD ROUNDUP | Tammy Warren

Presbyterian World Mission brings God’s global family together to address the root causes of poverty, work toward reconciliation and proclaim God’s saving love in Jesus Christ. God’s mission in South Sudan God’s mission in Hong Kong, Building peace through the Prince of Peace China PC(USA) mission co-worker Leisa Bringing glory to God by caring for one TonieAnn Wagstaff has served in education- another and creation related mission assignments in five African TheRev. Judy Chan, a PC(USA) countries for more than 30 years, including mission co-worker, serves the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as executive secretary for Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Cameroon and, since communications for the July 2013, in South Sudan, one of the world’s Hong Kong Christian most impoverished nations. Council. She coordinates Leisa serves alongside the production of the Presbyterian Church of South council’s ecumenical Sudan (PCOSS) to address broadcasting ministry the root causes of poverty and is editor of the through education and council’s English-language peacebuilding. She made publications. She also works her first visit to what to address refugee and asylum was then Sudan as part seeker advocacy issues through the of a college travel-study council’s refugee concern network. program. Hong Kong, now a special administrative “With the majority of the region of China, retains some autonomy for the adult population in South Sudan present due to its one-time status as a colony having had no education due to the unrest, of Great Britain. Judy, who serves there at the 70 percent of the children between ages 6 and invitation of the PC(USA), the United Church 17 having never set foot in a classroom, only of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples 12 percent of the teaching corps trained, and of Christ), considers her work a privilege and a the dropout rate for girls being highest in the journey of discovery. world according to UNICEF, there is much to “I thank the Lord that we can connect the be concerned with,” she says. body of Christ in the U.S. and Hong Kong While thousands of miles separate Leisa through our stories, not only in pain and from Presbyterians in the United States who suffering, but also in the hope of forgiveness support her ministry, Leisa assures supporters and reconciliation,” she says. back home that they are never far from her Churches in Hong Kong are playing a mind. “I serve as your representative, your significant role in building a more compassionate mission co-worker, and the embodiment of and just asylum seeker and refugee system, your desire to share the good news of Jesus Judy says. “They do so by providing friendship, Christ in every corner of the earth,” she says. pastoral care, material aid, and social advocacy Civil unrest in South Sudan resulted in to this vulnerable population sorely in need of a Leisa’s safe evacuation in July 2016. She has word of grace and a sign of hope. since returned to continue God’s mission “Whatever challenges we face, God’s mission through the ministry of education. remains the same,” she says. “We are to witness to God’s peace, justice and compassion through Support Leisa in South Sudan. the cross of our Savior Jesus Christ.” pcusa.org/donate/E200501 Support Judy in Hong Kong, China. pcusa.org/donate/E200323 20 Spring 2017 God’s mission in Europe God’s mission along the Making a life-giving difference for refugees U.S.–Mexico border PC(USA) mission co-workers Ryan Putting faith into action and Alethia White work alongside the Omar Chan serves as facilitator for the Iranian Presbyterian Church (IPC) in Berlin, Presbyterian Border Region Outreach (PBRO), Germany, to reconcile relationships across assisting in faithful, effective mutual mission cultural, religious and political divides. The to address the root causes of poverty, to work IPC serves as a point of contact for migrants for reconciliation amid cultures of violence, from Afghanistan and Iran and provides and to share the good news of God’s saving opportunities to share God’s love for all people. love through Jesus Christ at ministry sites Recently a few area churches have joined along the nearly 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico IPC in collaborating to open a “Connections border. Café.” Although the café is new, Alethia says During Lent last year Omar and his it holds great hope. “We are optimistic the wife, Amanda Craft, were asked to help café will provide space for people from the plan a binational communion service church, a local refugee camp and members of at Anapra Crossing, in Anapra, New the German church communities to connect, Mexico—a site of historic significance build relationships and better understand one where families and loved ones on both another.” sides of the border come to be present for one Being the hands and feet of Christ by another and to touch each other between the connecting migrants and refugees with pastoral links in the fence that separate them. The U.S. care, medical and social services and legal help Border Patrol monitored the gathering but is a passion of the Whites, who have served in did not once interrupt the respectful worship Berlin since 2013. service of prayer, singing, Scripture reading In the midst of uncertainty and communion. Communion was served in for asylum seekers, Ryan both Spanish and English as two worlds came and Alethia see small together in that transformative moment. signs of hope, such as Omar and Amanda have learned that true joy expressed when mission isn’t born out of a sense of charity, but individuals share rather in speaking with truth and love. “We testimonies of feeling want to work with our ministry partners to find peace and calmness how God’s justice can be realized,” they say. during their lengthy asylum interview, which Support Omar on the U.S.-Mexico border. they attribute to the presence pcusa.org/donate/E200512 of Jesus. Of course, the Whites also see discouragement of asylum seekers, given the length of time they must wait for a decision and the challenges of life, language, housing and employment in another culture. Despite the challenges, most asylum seekers are eager to begin a new life.

Support Ryan and Alethia in Germany. pcusa.org/donate/E200500

Mission Crossroads 21 NONPROFIT ORG Presbyterian Mission Agency U.S. POSTAGE 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202-1396 PAID LOUISVILLE, KY PERMIT NO. 972

A vibrant movement of God’s Spirit marches forward

More than 94 million people belong to churches founded or cofounded by Presbyterian missionaries. The Presbyterian movement that started these churches began 180 years ago, and the same Spirit that gave birth to these churches continues to work through Presbyterian World Mission. The way A choir from the Presbyterian Church we do mission has changed over time, but we continue to see God’s reign of South Sudan, a faithful and growing expand. Poverty is being alleviated, Christ’s good news is being shared, church in a new and troubled country and adversaries are being reconciled. Serving alongside global partners, Presbyterian mission co-workers lend hearts, hands and voices to this movement. Your gift to mission co-worker support will help transform lives in the name of Christ. Please give generously. Give by check: Make your check payable to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and use the envelope provided in this magazine. Give online: pcusa.org/donate/E132192