The Values of Partnership

A letter from Nancy Collins, serving as Regional Liaison for East Central Africa, based in Zambia

September 2017

“Recognizing our human limitations and because of our fundamental unity in Jesus Christ, we believe we are called to mission through the discipline of partnership. The practice of partnership guides our whole connectional church. We give visible recognition of our belonging to one another as one denominational family.”

from “Presbyterians Do Mission in Partnership”
A Policy of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 2003

Dear Family and Friends,

Greetings to everyone from Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. I have been able to spend time with my 24-year-old son Charles, who will finish his nursing program on September 21 when the pinning ceremony will take place. I have managed my schedule so that I will be able to be there with him. YAY!!

It is also interpretation assignment time again — I will have the opportunity to spend time with many of you who support my ministry as regional liaison in East Central Africa. It is wonderful to see folks face to face and hear in more detail about the important ministries of your congregations.

Partnership has been a theme sounded in the visits I have made to date.

Rev and Mrs. Nyondo receive a gift from EOP presented by Rev. Judy Henderson and Rev. James Estes.

July 29 was the 20th anniversary celebration of the partnership between Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery (EOP) and the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Synod of Livingstonia (CCAP Livingstonia). CCAP Livingstonia General Secretary Rev. Dr. Levi Nyondo and Mrs. Ruth Nyondo were present at a special worship service with some of key leaders in the EOP partner team. They shared the ways the partnership transformed their lives. In his comments, Dr. Nyondo indicated how much CCAP Livingstonia values the partnership. He also indicated that sometimes the synod makes mistakes in the partnership, and he asked for forgiveness. Such transparency and honesty are key to an effective partnership.

The annual conference of the Malawi Mission Network was held August 10-13 just outside Omaha, Nebraska, and was hosted by Faith Presbyterian Church, La Vista. The meeting was packed full of discussion of the do’s and don’ts of partnership.

Table conversation among participants at Malawi Mission Network Conference.

One of the highlights for me was a two-page document distributed by Africa Area Coordinator Rev. Debbie Braaksma defining and providing guidelines for World Mission-related mission networks. Even after eight years as regional liaison and 20 years in mission service, the document — now several years old — was an eye-opener for me. According to this document, which was developed with input from mission network leaders, purposes of world mission-related mission networks include the following: 1) to develop an agreed upon vision and broader level goals for the network in order to increase faithfulness and effectiveness in mission engagement; 2) to discuss and identify best strategies for mission engagement; and 3) to hold common work and particular members’ mission involvement accountable to the network. Mission networks should not be a miscellaneous collection of individuals and groups with any sort of connection to a given country. Instead, per the document, participants in mission networks should be the experts in best practices in international mission, they should be in partnership with a World Mission international church partner, and they should be seeking ways network participants can work together to strengthen one focus of the international church partner — for instance education or human rights or economic development. The Congo Mission Network has managed to do this well. Several years ago, representatives met with the DR Congo partner and discussed how the network could be most helpful working in the area of education. They worked together to develop a strategic plan, and they have been intentional about implementing it. Hmmm! Is this the way most of the mission networks function? Maybe there is room for growth and improvement!

Worship at Westminster Presbyterian, Greenville, SC.

At Westminster Presbyterian, Greenville, South Carolina, after my Minute for Mission and PowerPoint presentation, I enjoyed a very animated discussion with a small group of members about mission practices and plans. We talked a little about ways Americans assume they can apply solutions that work in the American context to the context of the international church partner — and about the need to check those assumptions with the international partner. An example might be encouraging a Synod Office or department to computerize when electricity is not available or very intermittent. We talked a little bit about how a partnership can be so focused on a project that the big picture of the church and the coordination needs of the international partner are not taken into consideration. We talked about a multitude of exciting ways the congregation has supported and wants to support their international partner. We talked about communication and coordination with the international partner and with other involved PC(USA) constituencies and how communication and coordination might be improved. I find partnership to be difficult. It takes a lot of patience and humility and perseverance. It takes time to listen. It takes prayer and study.

I am looking forward to seeing many more of you — my supporting congregations — throughout September and October, and I am looking forward to additional stimulating and challenging conversations about experiences and problems, confusion and joy in international mission partnerships. I am looking forward to thanking my supporters in person for prayers, for friendship, for communication and for financial support. God has blessed me richly by calling me to this work as regional liaison. I pray for God’s blessing on you for your graciousness and hospitality and generosity toward me and other mission personnel.

Your sister in Christ,

Nancy

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!