A virtual gathering and commissioning will be held for those who have committed to become a Matthew 25 church
by Melody K. Smith | Presbyterian News Service
LOUISVILLE — The Matthew 25 invitation was officially launched in April 2019. More than a year later, there are 520 churches, groups and mid councils that have made the commitment to become a Matthew 25 church. This represents over 5,800 congregations across the country that have received the invitation and have been engaged in this bold vision.
“This is something worth celebrating, even during this unprecedented time,” says the Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, president and executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. “Our commitment to Matthew 25 and serving those who live on the margins of society has never been more important. We place our hope and confidence in God, who has seen the human race through countless crises through the ages.”
Matthew 25: A Gathering and Commission is scheduled for June 10 from 1:50–3 p.m. via Zoom. This inaugural event is open to the 520 congregations, groups and mid councils that made the commitment to embrace the Matthew 25 vision.
The event will begin with gathering music to give participants time to connect and be present. During the event there will be a celebration of the bold commitment to become a Matthew 25 church and a commissioning to share the vision so that others may wake up to the possibilities of serving God’s people.
“We want to inspire participants in our gathering with the amazing stories of how Matthew 25 congregations are impacting the communities around them,” said Moffett. “Embracing Matthew 25, and all it calls us to be, enables our church to act boldly and compassionately in a world that yearns and cries out for genuine hope and transforming love — now, more than ever.”
Matthew 25 congregations, groups and mid councils will receive an invitation with registration information next week, but churches are encouraged to mark their calendars now and plan to learn how each congregation and mid council can go deeper with Matthew 25, especially during this challenging time.
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