Presbyterian Mission Agency

Annual Report of the General Assembly Mission Council

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

The spirit of the Great Commission—coupled with the charge by the 2008 and 2010 General Assemblies to “Grow Christ’s Church Deep and Wide”—renewed the General Assembly Mission Council in 2011 in our call to inspire, equip, and connect Presbyterians to join in God’s mission for the transformation of the world.

In 2011, hundreds of Presbyterians in scores of congregations used our new Engage resource designed to connect evangelism with disciple making. Dozens of congregations utilized the New Beginnings assessment to help them envision a new future. A new curriculum was launched, built upon the award-winning lectionary resource Feasting on the Word. Dozens of pastors found mentoring and support in their first calls through the Company of New Pastors. Emerging racial ethnic and women leaders came together in leadership institutes for learning, networking, and encouragement. Young adult interns learned and worked in the Office of Public Witness at the intersection of justice and evangelism. New immigrant fellowships and racial ethnic congregations and their presbyteries were resourced and encouraged toward our becoming a more welcoming and inclusive denomination.

As we prepare to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Presbyterian World Mission in 2012, we rejoice in those Young Adult Volunteers and mission workers who answered God’s call in 2011 to serve Christ’s church around the world. Hundreds of Presbyterians supported them through 40 country-related mission networks. New seminary graduates were matched with small, underserved congregations in the For Such a Time as This pastoral residency program. Military chaplains embodied Christ’s presence by ministering to military personnel and their families. Fifteen hundred Presbyterians came together at Big Tent, where they were inspired, equipped, and connected in mission and ministry.

Individuals, congregations, and presbyteries responded to dozens of disasters through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Presbyterians generously responded to the devastating earthquake in Haiti with gifts totaling more than $11 million, enabling both immediate relief and long-term recovery and development.

Because we are mindful of the dramatic changes and challenges facing today’s church, we have been in the midst of many conversations about the church’s future. And so we continue, as we did in 2011, to join with Presbyterians and our many partners to ask the hard questions, but most of all to serve Christ with joy, giving thanks to God for the generous gifts and talents of individuals, congregations, and mid councils, which significantly contribute to the life and health of the PC(USA).