Programs Encourage People to Hear God‘s Voice in Biblical Stories
June 22, 2016
Jesus used stories and parables to educate and inspire his followers. Presbyterian World Mission and New Castle Presbytery are carrying on that tradition in creative ways by publishing resources that engage readers in the work, prayers and practice of mission.
As a missionary in residence last year, Nancy Dimmock used letters and stories from mission co-workers to develop missional lectionary-based stories, each illustrating a New Testament reading.
“The stories help the biblical readings come alive through a lens of mission and how God is at work around the world through our PC(USA) mission co-workers and the church partners with whom they serve,” said Ellen Sherby, coordinator of Equipping for Mission Involvement. “It’s a great resource for pastors and Christian educators.”
For the Day of Pentecost, the Scripture was John 14:8–17 and 25–27. Sarah Henken, mission co-worker and regional liaison for the Andean region, wrote about the first delegation visit from the Presbytery of San Fernando to Presbiterio Central in Colombia.
The group visited Ibagué Belén Church, where the congregation meets in a house that was once a location to buy drugs. Neighbors are grateful for the positive presence, which brings life, not death, to the community
Henken wrote: “In a troubled neighborhood; to underprivileged youth who need options beyond drugs and poverty; in a building dedicated for a new, life-giving purpose—the kingdom comes to us in all of these places and by many others, near and far, through the transformative presence of the One who does not stand idly by. Where do you see the coming kingdom in your surroundings? How is God calling you to help usher it in?”
Bruce Gillette, co-pastor of Limestone Presbyterian Church in Wilmington with his wife, Carolyn, is the current moderator of New Castle Presbytery. One of his goals as moderator was to create a compelling way to encourage people in the presbytery to learn from one another as they read the Bible together. He proposed including a “Daily Bible Guide” on the presbytery website.
“The Bible is for the whole church,” he said. “I thought it was important to hear interpretations and views from all across the church. There is so much we can learn from one another and from the stories we share.”
Gillette began issuing invitations to individuals to write 300-word devotionals about things they knew well or for which they felt passionate.
Lisa Diller, former pastor of Christiana Presbyterian Church in Newark, Delaware, and a member of the New Castle County Council, created a devotional on Jesus and the temple tax.
Ebenezer Kotei, who served as a ruling elder at the Limestone Presbyterian Church and is a leader of Olivet Presbyterian Church (a church of Ghanaian immigrants) in Newark, Delaware, wrote a devotional about the first mission workers who went to Ghana. They died quickly from tropical diseases. A new group of mission workers followed and soon died. Wave upon wave of mission workers followed, knowing they would soon die. Their witness eventually resulted in a church that today has 773,504 members and runs 1,907 schools, a university and over 2,200 congregations.
“The important thing is that we encourage people to read the Bible and hear God’s voice through Scripture,” said Gillette. “Taking time to read the Bible not only draws us closer to God but closer to one another.”
Kathy Melvin, director of Mission Communications, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Let us join in prayer for:
Presbytery Staff
Rev. James L. Moseley, Executive Presbyter
Rev. Dr. Jacqueline E. Taylor, Associate Executive Presbyter
Bob Schminkey, Stated Clerk
Donna Scully, Office Manager
PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Elise Warshavsky, OGA
Susan Washburn, PMA
Let us pray
God, thank you for planting in us passions for mission and for giving us the opportunities to pursue them. Amen.
Daily Lectionary
Morning Psalms 15; 147:1-11
First Reading Numbers 16:36-50
Second Reading Romans 4:13-25
Gospel Reading Matthew 20:1-16
Evening Psalms 48; 4