Becoming the Partnership that We Seek

A letter from Jan Heckler, serving in Madagascar

September 2017

One of the great experiences that comes with being a mission co-worker in Madagascar is living out being a small element of the “partnership” that exists between the Presbyterian Church (USA) and our partner church here. That church is the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar, the FJKM,¹ by which the church is widely known throughout the country.

“Partnership” is the guiding notion upon which the PC(USA)’s approach to mission is based. Partnerships are mutual, collaborative, reciprocal and enduring. And, most importantly, our partnership with the FJKM includes you, World Mission, the mission co-workers in Madagascar, and all the congregations of both the PC(USA) and the FJKM.

Like the PC(USA), the FJKM is a church in the reformed tradition and its structure is similar to the PC(USA)’s own. It has a ruling body much like our General Assembly and its major structural component is the synod. However, unlike our own, smaller church of nearly 1.5 million members and 16 synods, the FJKM’s membership of nearly 5 million members is divided into 38 synods!

When working within such a grand enterprise, we are awed and inspired as the spirit works within us, helping us appreciate that it is our partner fitting the missing piece of the puzzle to solve the problem. We are amazed yet again how this ongoing reciprocation feeds into the explosion of synergy² that warms and delights all because we are joined by our common love of God, by being one in Christ.

This is often the case when the EBMI Project’s (evidence-based methods of instruction) core planning team – 3/4 of whom are indigenous colleagues – and I sit to contemplate a new issue before us. They take an idea one of us has had and make it into a useable, culturally competent solution right before our eyes. We would be nowhere without this inspired interaction.

As one of three mission co-workers in Madagascar,³ I know that the Turks (see picture) join me in celebrating our experience. We have one foot planted in the FJKM church, holding hands with our many collaborators. And, our other foot is planted with those who sent us here. These are the PC(USA)’s many congregations, mission committees, and individuals who make mission a reality!

The enduring nature of World Mission-led partnerships is of no small consequence. Some of our church’s partnerships are over one hundred years old. While individuals may grow, marry, have children, and retire, the church’s partnerships endure generation after generation. An old African proverb makes this point quite well: “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

I wanted this “Letter Home” to invite you to rejoice with me and to give thanks for such a marvelous thing, a transatlantic partnership encompassing 6.5 million souls. A partnership that we are all a part of; one we established; one we maintain together; one that will go on after we rest.

I will return to the United States for the second half of my itineration assignment (IA) beginning September 29 and will return to Madagascar on February 18, 2018. Please consider inviting me to visit your congregation to share more with you about our mission in Madagascar and the work being accomplished by the EBMI Project.

Much is happening and our achievements thus far are most exciting. To help share about our work, the president of the FJKM, the Rev. Ammi Irako will be in Orlando at the Madagascar Mission Network meeting October 12-14 and then in and around Merritt Island, FL, as well.

Also, my great friend and colleague, the Rev. Mamisoa Rakotomalala will be traveling with me to congregations I’m invited to visit from January 8 to February 21. Pastor Mamisoa is the Secretary of her synod and the senior pastor of a large parish located 200 miles north of Antananarivo. Both of these valued visitors are living examples of our partnership with the FJKM. Your partnership!

If you are able, please consider making a gift in support of our mission in Madagascar. And, if you are already giving, please consider increasing your gift. PCUSA/World Mission, the FJKM, the EBMI team, and I will be most grateful. Thanks be to God for the privilege of serving, and many thanks to each of you who supports and accompanies us on this life-transforming journey of hope and faith.

Jan Heckler
Antananarivo

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¹ The FJKM is the Malagasy equivalent for “the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar” (Fiangonan’i Jesoa Kristy eto Madagasikara).
² Synergy is the idea that the “whole” can be greater than the sum of the parts.
³ The other two MCWs are veterans Dr. Dan Turk and his wife Elizabeth, MPH, BSN. Dan’s work is in protecting the environment and introducing fruit-bearing trees that can help alleviate the growing food crisis here or can be used as a cash crop. Elizabeth works in preventing HIV and in community health, which includes developing clean water and improved sanitation standards and behavior. They have been here quite a while and in fact have raised their two gifted children, Robert and Frances, here.

Please read this important message from Jose Luis Casal, Director, Presbyterian World Mission

Dear Friend of Presbyterian Mission,

What a joy to send this letter! As Presbyterian World Mission’s new director, I thank God for your faithful support of our mission co-workers. The enclosed newsletter celebrates the work you made possible by your prayers, engagement, and generous financial gifts. We can’t thank you enough.

After I began in April, I met with mission co-workers and global partners and was blessed to see firsthand the mighty ways God is working through them! Our global partners are asking us to help them move forward with life-changing ministries. Because of your support, we can say “yes” to these creative and exciting initiatives.

I write to invite you to make an even deeper commitment to this work. First, would you make a year-end gift for the sending and support of our mission co-workers? We need your gifts to end the year strong. With your help, we filled two new mission co-worker positions and plan to recruit for others. The needs in the world are great, and World Mission is poised to answer the call to serve.

Second, would you ask your session to add our mission co-workers to your congregation’s mission budget for 2018 and beyond? Our mission co-workers serve three-year or four-year terms. Your multi-year commitment will encourage them greatly.

Our mission co-workers are funded entirely from the special gifts of individuals and congregations like yours. Now more than ever, we need your financial support.

In faith, our mission co-workers accepted a call to mission service. In faith, World Mission sent them to work with our global partners. In faith, will you also commit to support this work with your prayers and financial gifts?

With gratitude,
Jose Luis Casal
Director

P.S. Your gift will help meet critical needs of our global partners. Thank you!