Monday, January 7
The Presbytery of San Diego
California
Leaders from the Presbytery of San Diego, the Presbytery of the Northwest Border, and Pueblos Hermanos discuss binational projects.
The Presbytery of San Diego and its neighbor in Baja California, Mexico, the Presbytery of the Northwest Border, are exploring new ways of ministry through a partnership linking San Diego and Imperial counties and Baja California. Although separated by a political border, the presbyteries are united in their faith in Christ. While the formal relationship between the PC(USA) and the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico has ended, there is a desire to continue at the local level. Ministry leaders are figuring out how to move forward in their changing context. Pueblos Hermanos, historically one of six projects of Presbyterian Border Ministry, is being reborn as a missional experiment between the two presbyteries.
Founded in 1985, Pueblos Hermanos plants churches in Tijuana and other Baja cities, hosts visiting mission teams, and helps train Mexican pastors, elders, and lay leaders. It also operates a community health ministry, Salud y Vida, in Tijuana. Both ministries are evangelistic. Through its long-standing partnership with Pueblos Hermanos and the Mexican churches, Baja Presbyterian Missions, an independent nonprofit, participates fully in this new partnership. Pueblos Hermanos raises its own operational funds, while Baja Presbyterian Missions provides most of the money for land and construction. Today there are 15 established Mexican Presbyterian congregations in Baja. Three are self-sufficient; three more are in development.
The two presbyteries are learning new ways of working together across a border and discovering how they can move back into the neighborhood and participate in the exciting mission of God!
The presbytery’s 35 congregations and ministries have 14,938 total members.
Let us join in prayer for:
Rev. Dr. Clark Cowden, member, Presbyterian Mission Agency Board
Elder Jack Shelver, at-large member, Presbyterian Mission Agency Board
Presbytery Staff
Rev. Dr. Clark Cowden, executive presbyter
Linda Therien, stated clerk
Sharlene McKinstry, bookkeeper
Heather Paton, office manager
PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Luke A. Asikoye, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Charles Austin, Presbyterian Foundation
Let us pray
God, to you be the glory for this new partnership, which is an opportunity to keep this important border ministry going and to pray, talk, and dream together about what you are calling us to do. Amen.
Daily Lectionary
Morning Psalms 46 or 97; 145
First Reading Isaiah 52:3-6
Second Reading Revelation 2:1-7
Gospel Reading John 2:1-11
Evening Psalms 27; 93 or 114
