The Missionary Messenger Magazine, Spring 2023

BETH WALLACE

STOTT-WALLACE

MISSIONARY OFFERING

CELEBRATES A LIFE OF MISSIONARY SERVICE

WE ARE ALL A PIECE OF THE PUZZLE

Socorro

Delgado

Pejendino

Guatemala

John Jairo & Esperanza Correa

Guatemala

Spain

The Birth of the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering

Missionaries are expensive and finding the funds to support them has always been a challenge. Few missionaries live in remote jungles. Most missionaries live in urban areas in major cities of the world. As more of the world’s population moves from rural areas into cities, missionaries follow them. Currently, all Cumberland Presbyterian missionaries live in cities. They rent homes or apartments, drive cars, send their children to school or university, pay health insurance, taxes, and try to save for retirement. Missionaries in the CP Church are experienced and trained professionals, just as pastors. After an extensive application process, they are accepted as missionaries with a specific job description that has goals. Once deployed to the mission field the Missions Ministry Team (MMT) supervises them. Responsible mission organizations send out trained missionaries with plans and a system of accountability.

In 2013, The Cumberland Presbyterian Women’s Ministry approved the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering to meet the challenge of supporting CP missionaries supervised by the Missions Ministry Team (MMT). The General Assembly later approved this offering. Before Stott-Wallace, the MMT (formerly the Board of Missions) supported CP missionaries with a hodgepodge of approaches. Some missionaries depended on individual donors; others received help from Our United Outreach (OUO). Financial realities forced the MMT to address each new missionary with whatever financial path was available. This created stress for all concerned. When individual donations diminished

for some missionaries, they were caught in a bind. The MMT even considered setting up a loan program to help. Fortunately, that idea never came to fruition. When OUO had shortfalls, budgets had to be cut, and this created a challenge for missionary support. When missionaries left the mission field, finding a replacement could take months, even years, and the OUO funds were moved to other needs. There had to be a better way.

In 2012 Ministry Council member, Rev. Lanny Johnson, attended an MMT elected team meeting and listened to the challenges that the MMT faced trying to find a way to have stable income to pay missionary salaries. Lanny shared that he had once been a Southern Baptist and their missionaries were supported by a mission offering received at the end of each year known as the Lottie Moon Offering. After more discussion, the MMT formulated the idea of the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering, modeled after the Lottie Moon Offering. The offering was named for two CP missionary couples, the Stotts, who served in Japan for over two decades, and the Wallaces, who served in Colombia for over five decades. In 2013 this offering was launched, and it now covers the salaries and benefits of all CP missionaries supervised by the MMT. The offering receives about $250,000 each year from churches and individuals.

We are so thankful for those who support the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering which has brought financial stability to our missionary program. It has blessed many missionary families over the years and has been a blessing to many mission fields that have received missionary service.

Mission Team To Brazil

Focusing On Children & Family Ministries (2018)

MISSIONARIES AND THE STOTT-WALLACE MISSIONARY OFFERING

M M

SPRING 2023

Every year, the spring issue of the Missionary Messenger focuses on the Cumberland Presbyterian missionaries endorsed by the Missions Ministry Team because they work directly for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, establishing and providing services to CP churches and CP institutions, under the direct supervision of the Missions Ministry Team.

While reading, you will find a Bible study which explains why we call them missionaries instead of apostles. You will also find a short biography of Beth Wallace, our emeritus missionary in Colombia, and articles from our missionaries in Guatemala, Esperanza Diaz-Correa, John Jairo Correa, and Socorro Delgado-Pejendino.

You will find a historical account of the birth of the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering and information about how the offering has been received over the years. The Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering is the means we use to support our CP missionaries with salaries and benefits.

If interested in short-team mission trips, you will find an article about future mission trips. There is also an article about the ENGAGE process and how we allow the Holy Spirit to lead this process to discover, discern, develop, and discuss ministry in our congregations. In the article Why Are We Afraid of Misunderstandings ? you will find out how we can practice and devote ourselves to faith qualities to allow a causal conversation to blossom into a deep, meaningful dialogue about the complexities and joys of living a life of faith. Also, you will find information about this year’s women’s Convention and financial updates.

As you read and reflect on all these articles, it is our hope and prayer that the Lord will bless you and keep you as a useful servant to God’s kingdom, the same way the Lord is using our missionaries in their place of service.

{ VOL. 12, NO. 1 }

MISSIONS MINISTRY TEAM of the Ministry Council, CPC ART DIRECTOR

Sowgand Sheikholeslami ext:211

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Milton Ortiz ext:234

PUBLICATIONS MANAGER

Matthew Gore ext:221

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Jinger Ellis ext:230

CONTRIBUTORS

Kristi Lounsbury ext:263

T. J. Malinoski ext:232

Milton Ortiz ext:234

Lynn Thomas ext:261

Rebecca Zahrte ext. 264

8207 Traditional Place Cordova, TN 38016-7414 phone 901.276.4572 fax 901.276.4578

messenger@cumberland.org

VISIT US ON THE WEB http://cpcmc.org/mm

To read the previous issues of The Missionary Messenger visit us at http://cpcmc.org/mm/ mm-archives Member

• Associated Church Press Made Possible, In Part, By Our United Outreach

11 He himself granted that some are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.

(Ephesians 4:11-12 NRSV)

MISSIO

He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastorteacher to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.

(Ephesians 4:11-13 The Message)

Paul was in prison in Rome, maybe house arrested, when, through a letter, he urged the believers to live a life worthy of the calling they had received. What that meant, he said, was that we need to be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bear one another in love, and make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1-3).

To accomplish this, Paul said, we need to keep in mind that there is

• one body: Christ’s body, the Church.

• one Spirit: The Holy Spirit.

• one hope: The confident affirmation that God will complete what he has begun.

• one Lord: The God who exists as a Trinity of Persons.

• one faith: The confidence in God’s ability to bring us through every circumstance of life.

• one baptism: The baptism of the Holy Spirit into Christ’s body.

• one God and Father of all: The Creator of everything (Ephesians 4:4-6).

Then, quoting Psalm 68:18, Paul said that after his ascension Jesus gave gifts to his people. Those gifts were persons given to the Church:

• apostles,

• prophets,

• evangelists,

• pastors and teachers.

These persons were given with one specific purpose, to equip Christ’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:7-13).

As you see, persons who have answered God’s call to ministry are gifts to us, to the Church. One of the gifts is called apostle. Are there apostles in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church? Missionaries are apostles, but the early Christian church adopted the Latin word missio, which means sent or the sent one. A missionary is a person sent by the Church to cross language, culture, and geographical boundaries to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with people from different countries, languages, and cultures than their own. As Cumberland Presbyterians, we send people to the mission field. We endorse them to work directly for the CP Church, to establish/provide services to CP churches and institutions under the direct supervision of the Missions Ministry Team. We pray for them and financially support them.

ASK

Ask yourself, am I being called to be a missionary, or how can I support the missionaries working in Cumberland Presbyterian mission fields?

PRAYER

O Holy Lord, our Father, and our God, Hear Thou and answer this ardent prayer of our hearts – The Cumberland Presbyterian Church, a Missionary Church, The Cumberland Presbyterian Church, a Missionary Church, Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen1

Beth Wallace

People using only two words to describe Beth Wallace might say “career missionary.” Ada Beth Hickmon was born in North Carolina and married Boyce Wallace while studying at Bible College in Nashville in 1955. They had two children, Andrew (deceased) and Melody, who currently lives in Gainesville, Florida.

Boyce and Beth began to feel the call to foreign missionary service and began conversations with leaders of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1962. That same year they accepted a call to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Marlow, Oklahoma. They served for six months before learning of an opportunity for mission work in Colombia. They quickly applied and were accepted, and off they went to San Jose, Costa Rica where they attended language school.

In July of 1964, the Wallaces arrived in Cali, Colombia, and began their first ministry assignment in Armenia where they spent four years. The next assignment was to Cali, Colombia, where they made their home, serving in the Cauca Valley Presbytery.

Many people spend time on mission fields, but few give their entire adulthood to serve in a country other than where they were born. Beth made a missionary covenant with God in 1963 to serve in Colombia, South America. She had no idea she would be there for 60 years.

• She has done some particularly admirable things for all those years which merit praise.

• She has administered a bed and breakfast in her own home— hosting and feeding thousands of people.

• She has encouraged and led the Presbyterial and Denomination Women’s Ministry through praying, writing, and teaching.

• Her children’s ministry in the local church is impressive.

• She served decades as a counselor and teacher at Colegio Bolivar—a bi-lingual school in Cali.

• She has traveled extensively to visit isolated congregations in Colombia.

• She has promoted missions in the USA by visiting hundreds of CP congregations.

Beth Wallace has been a positive face of the love, joy, and faith in Colombia. She has left her footprints all over Colombia and the USA—and they resemble the impact of a person that loves Jesus. Beth Wallace currently resides in Gainesville, Florida.

Short-Term Mission Trips

Short-term mission trips open a window of discovery for the global Cumberland Presbyterian Church and its members. They allow Cumberland Presbyterian brothers and sisters worldwide to become friends sharing common experiences. Short-term mission trips are essential to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

After discussing these important points about shortterm mission trips, three members of the Missions Ministry Team (Milton Ortiz, Lynn Thomas, and Kristi Lounsbury) have determined that each year at least two mission trip opportunities will be sponsored and led by a Missions Ministry Team member. Of course, circumstances beyond our control may alter these plans from time-to-time.

The first short-term mission trip will be held April 22-29, 2023. The destination is Beth-El Farmworker Ministry, Inc. in Wimauma, Florida, south of Tampa. Beth-El is a ministry partner of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church (USA). Local presbyteries in Florida have primary roles in supporting this mission. The Missions Ministry Team, through Our United Outreach, monetarily supports the mission. Reverend Kristi Lounsbury serves on the Board of Directors as a liaison for the CP Denomination.

Beth-El feeds the Mind, Spirit, and Body of the farmworking community and neighbors in need, through opportunities for hunger relief, education, healthcare, and spiritual growth. Some of the opportunities available during

this mission trip will include feeding farm workers, sorting donations, visiting local farms, general clean-up, and worshiping with the on-campus community.

The beautiful landscape of rural Brazil will be the scene for the second short-term mission trip. A church and small campsite, inspired by the Japanese culture, Mata De Sao Joao, Bahia, Brazil, is home to where many retreats and children’s events take place for those in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

This will be the third trip the Ministry Council has taken to Brazil. The first two trips, led by Jodi Rush (Children and Family Ministries) concentrated primarily on working with the children’s ministries, which are flourishing. The focus will again be on the children in the area churches and in the retreat setting. The women’s ministry is an additional ministry that is continuing to grow and has been financially supported by the Cumberland Presbyterian Women’s Ministry. Other focuses will include the men’s and women’s ministry and leadership opportunities. This trip is scheduled for July 19-29, 2023. The length of the trip includes a full day of travel on both ends of the trip as well as incorporating time to enjoy the sites of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The purpose of the trip is to build relationships with other Cumberland Presbyterians. If you have the desire to travel and enjoy the presence of God in another place with other mission-minded CPs, please contact Kristi Lounsbury at klounsbury@cumberland.org for more information including estimated costs and an application to be a part of something life changing.

Each year at least two mission trip opportunities will be sponsored and led by a Missions Ministry Team member.

ENGAGING THE HOLY SPIRIT

Over the years, I have been curious about different Christian faith traditions, worship styles, and scriptural interpretations. The topic of the Holy Spirit can be anything from providing comfort to creating doubt to producing fear of the unknown. Witnessing different interpretations of the role of the Holy Spirit in a variety of spiritual journeys, I have seen those persons slain in the Spirit, those speaking in tongues, and those with an effervescent glow clearly indicating being led by the Spirit.

Many times, when we talk of the Holy Spirit, there is an expectation there must be some supernatural exhibition which announces the Holy Spirit’s presence. In reality, “the Holy Spirit usually does not try to draw attention to itself but rather works on us to strengthen our relationship of faith in Christ. This means the Spirit is very busy indeed. In our stumbling attempts at faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit is at work, overcoming our own desire to be in control.”1

God uses the Holy Spirit to draw us closer in relationship to Christ. Reaching out and drawing us nearer

in our walk, the Holy Spirit leads and guides us in our daily lives. That is, if we embrace the opportunity. As part of the Triune God, the Holy Spirit is not manipulated by us but will gladly reside in us if allowed.

Several times in my life, I have felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit through a thought that did not leave my mind or a twinge in my heart. I learned at an early age that if I listened to that still small voice when making decisions, my walk with Christ was greatly enriched and blessed. From accepting calls in ministry to everyday opportunities, listening to the Holy Spirit can enhance one’s life.

The Reverend Dr. Chris Fleming and I began our call with the Ministry Council within one month of each other four years ago. Shortly thereafter we were given the project of producing a program that helps to address the issues of our smaller, rural congregations within the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Following three years of Discovery, Discernment, Development, and Discussion, the ENGAGE process was implemented. It is here that I wish to emphasize how the work of the Holy Spirit engaged in my life.

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”

Romans 8:14 (NIV)

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the Children of God.”

A skeleton of the process was created. The curriculum was written. An outline was made for every church or group visited. Everything we could do to prepare for our sessions of ENGAGE we did. However, it is the Holy Spirit which truly led these sessions.

Being open and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead during these sessions has allowed ears to hear, minds to be changed, mission statements to be created, words to be spoken, and congregations to be changed. Oftentimes, I am unable to recreate the comments or ideas shared in a session simply because the comments were not mine but inspired by the Holy Spirit. For it was the Spirit, not me, that knew what needed to be said at the time as a response to a question or comment, thus, creating a unique dynamic that allows all of us to connect in a way that was previously impossible and only possible through the Holy Spirit dwelling among us.

I have watched many in our denomination be able to stir others with their sermons and lectures and I have been in awe! I have often said that public speaking is not necessarily my gift. Because of this, bringing the

ENGAGE process to congregations and groups has been a true test AND a blessing for my faith. I am constantly reminded how important it is to hear that still small voice, to be open, and allow the Holy Spirit to be in charge and in control. Instead of being incredibly nervous as I stand before a group, I know that the Holy Spirit will be present and prevail. This produces a peace and calm that is unlike anything ever experienced.

I would like to encourage you to explore and engage with the Holy Spirit. Be open to the possibilities and blessings that can be produced by walking in a closer relationship with Christ. “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the Children of God.”

1. “Working Preacher,” May 13, 2013, from “The Small Catechism,” in The Book of Concord , ed. by Robert Kolb and Timothy Wengert (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2000), 355.

I am constantly reminded how important it is to hear that still small voice, to be open, and allow the Holy Spirit to be in charge and in control.

GO!

In our 33 years of service to the Lord in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Colombia, we prayed and supported others who responded to God’s call, including our children and their families. But now the Lord has said to us, “Go yourselves!” Who, Us? We were simply waiting for our retirement. But how can we say no to the Lord? Jesus left everything to come and save us. Our Lord sends us to continue His work.

“It’s a call to die,” we were told, and since September 15, 2022, when we arrived in Guatemala, we have confirmed it. Dying to the safety of known roads, stores, prices, expressions, customs, routines, doctors, ministry. To die to the friendship and love of a great church we were serving, And above all losing those we love most, our children, grandchildren, family. We had our first Christmas without them. There were no Christmas cantatas or special programs to lead as pastors of a local church.

What was achieved in 33 years of marriage and ministry, was reduced to six suitcases with clothes, expectations and a lot of fear. Memories and tears continually flow as we think about the long history that lies behind and the uncertainty of the future. But we are sure, it is God who is at the helm! In Him we hope and take refuge.

We were greeted by a friendly, warm country, with an enchanting climate and landscapes, with great contrasts and many needs. We found big-hearted people here - the members and leaders of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Guatemala. They have made the transition easier, loving us only through grace. We are amazed asking ourselves, who are we to them? We are only the new and unknown missionaries from distant lands. There is much to do, we are His instruments and He will do it!

We thank the Lord immensely for you who pray and give of your resources for missions, this is another way to obey and respond to the Lord’s call. The world is in crisis, in need of Salvation, therefore...

GO! Do not Hesitate, Step-Out!

Correa

The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few … Go! Luke 10:2-3 NIV

Rice pudding for missions!

“Rice pudding for missions, buy your rice pudding” cried Mrs. Adíela Obando, janitor of the Renacer Cumberland Presbyterian Church in the streets of a poor neighborhood in Cali, Colombia. She had experienced the redeeming love of her Savior and her life changed radically in every way. She now lived a new life serving in the ministries of the church with distinction and worthy to be imitated.

In addition to her changed life, she was committed to the mission work of Cauca Valley Presbytery. She led mission projects, supported Boyce and Beth Wallace as missionaries, worked in women’s ministry, and encouraged pastors.

People in her poor neighborhood heard her voice loud and clear offering rice pudding, sweets, and other products for missions. They came to buy them and asked: What are your missions? She replied: “Our church has works in different parts of Colombia and in several countries of the world, and with these sales we support the sending of more missionaries, we help social projects, and the establishment of new churches.”

What a challenge and what a great example! A simple strategy

that made known to many people the importance of missions and contributing to them. She alone came to collect more than $1,500 dollars for missions each year. For a poor neighborhood in Cali, that amount was a great deal of money.

Do we understand? If at least ten people from every Cumberland Presbyterian Church in the world would imitate the example that this faithful servant of the Lord has set for so many years, the offerings for missions would multiply greatly. The Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering would have sufficient resources to sustain and send even more missionaries into the world.

As a pastor and missionary, I call on women, men, young people, and children in our churches to take varied, constant, generous, and committed actions in benefit of Cumberland Presbyterian missions in the world.

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20.

GOD’S CALLS ON MY LIFE

When I was 19 years old, God called me into a covenant relationship. By grace I received the forgiveness of my sins, salvation, and eternal life. Jesus Christ came into my life at a crucial time. I accepted His call, received salvation, and promised to give my life to Him, to love Him, and follow Him.

Six years later as I walked through the streets of Circassia in the department of Quindío in Colombia, God gave me a new call. This time through a little boy who was abandoned in the street. My heart became restless, the Holy Spirit was speaking to my life. God called me to serve Him, so strong was that call that I could not resist. I had to quit my job and dedicate myself completely to pastoral ministry together with my husband Fhanor Pejendino.

For more than 25 years we pastored together in Colombia taking care of our local church. I was ordained to the Ministry of the Word and Sacraments in the Presbytery of Cauca Valley in Colombia. God allowed us to work as a team with the elders of the local churches. It was a precious time and ministry that I remember with nostalgia and gratitude.

When we thought our work was accomplished, we received a new call from the Lord to be missionaries! We left our country for a place we did not know, another culture, and, although the same language was spoken, many words were unknown to us. Going out as missionaries meant giving up everything we had in Colombia: family, church, friends, homeland. It was a very big challenge. Before making the final decision, we prayed for a while, waiting for God to confirm through the church, family, and friends. So in 2014, we left for Guatemala with the firm conviction it was God’s will.

The pastoral call is different from the missionary call. The pastor takes care of the local church; while the missionary, in addition to pastoral functions, must cross cultural chasms and walk towards the unknown. The

missionary, being a foreigner, must quickly learn to know and trust the nationals. In addition, missionaries need to fit into a new lifestyle with the pros and cons the new country represents. This adjustment takes time. During this period of adaptation the missionary is vulnerable and sometimes insecure. It can be a dark time of frustration and confusion where melancholy manifests. However, the missionary’s call from God persists. The missionary has a God given hunger to learn new things. And most importantly, the missionary finds strength by establishing meaningful relationships with nationals for the fulfillment of the purpose for which he or she was called.

I remember two months after being in Guatemala I became sick. I was afraid. I felt alone and vulnerable. We had to call a Guatemalan family for help. They supported us and helped us. Eight years later, the bonds of friendship with that family remain firm. We felt we were part of their lives, part of their family when they took care of us. Missionaries learn humility and dependence on those they serve. Such is the life and ministry of a missionary.

The work of a missionary is not easy, but it is an essential work. In addition to evangelizing, discipling, and training, we must also plant churches, develop leaders, guide community based social projects, receive missionary groups, address legal matters of immigration, help new church projects until they become organized churches, and advise and support the church session and councils of churches.

After the death of my husband Fhanor; God again spoke to my life to continue with the call as a missionary in Guatemala. It has not been easy, but I thank God for every call in my life. God has sustained me with the skills I needed to serve where called and peace that surpassed human understanding. I thank everyone for their support of global missions through their donations to the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering. Your support allowed me to follow God’s call to the mission field. Acts 13:2-3

Missionary Funding Absolutely Amazing!

The only source of funds to pay Cumberland Presbyterian missionary salaries and benefits is the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering. Our United Outreach (OUO) plays an important role for missions, but it does not pay missionary salaries and benefits. OUO covers the administrative costs to process and wire support to missionaries. OUO pays all the cost of recruiting and promoting missionaries and educating the church about what they do. OUO also pays for the supervision of the missionary, which includes visits by Missions Ministry Team (MMT) staff to the mission field. The Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering only pays missionary salaries and benefits. No part of this Offering is used for administrative costs or for programs in the mission field. Before missionaries are deployed to the mission field, the MMT negotiates a salary and benefit package. Each missionary situation is unique. Some have families of school-aged children, others do not. Some live in countries that have a high cost of living, others live in countries that are more affordable. Some have security issues which must be taken into consideration. In each case the MMT, in consultation with the missionary, agree on an appropriate salary and benefits. Then the missionary signs an agreement with the MMT.

Throughout the year the MMT receives offerings to Stott-Wallace. The Stott-Wallace account is separate from the general fund. These funds are not mixed with other mission project monies. At the first of each quarter all missionaries are paid from the Stott-Wallace account three months in advance. Making these payments quarterly lowers the wire transfer fees by thousands of dollars each year. The wire transfer goes directly from CP Center offices (Memphis) into the bank account (or accounts) the missionary designates.

Amazingly, even though the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering has experienced years where donations are less than expenses, our giving balanced out. Fortunately, some years Stott-Wallace receives more than it paid out in salaries. In 2023 the anticipated amount needed to pay all missionary salaries and benefits is $264,500. Another reality is almost every year someone feels God is leading to make a substantial gift to the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering. Those large gifts often result in making a big difference to our bottom line.

It is amazing to see how God funds our missionaries from the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering. It is like manna from heaven, each day we have what we need. The MMT has not missed a payment yet. This has been true for many years. Thanks to all who have given to the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering.

Why Are We Afraid Of Misunderstandings?

Ifyou find yourself in a dull conversation and want to inject some excitement to spice up your day, bring up the topic of religion, politics, or money to treat yourself with the most colorful discussion. (When none of the three provide you with a memorable encounter additional topics such as sex, war, health, ethnicity/race, and family problems may also work.) Faster than a gust of wind undoing a bald man’s comb-over, that idle chitchat leading nowhere will rapidly transform into a most stimulating conversation.

The adage, “religion, politics, and money are three things that you should never talk about in polite society,” is replete with insightful wisdom if you care to make and keep friendships, want family to claim you as their kindred, or to sustain employment. We set boundaries and parameters for discourse among friends, family gatherings, and even employee interactions to avoid a potential explosive turn of a casual conversation into a passionate and determined argument aimed to critique, convince, and convert.

Most people have an innate aversion to social alienation. We avoid relationship-ending topics.

We will go to great lengths to circumvent arguments unless there is a foreseeable escape or means of appeasement. In doing so, we deliberately keep our beliefs and principles private because they have personal intrinsic value. They are identifying markers of who we are; informing our decisions, giving us meaning, and providing us with purpose. To share with another would position our beliefs and principles at risk of being questioned or opposed. The inverse is also true. Being introduced to a differing belief or a dissimilar principle can be a perceived threat to what we hold dear, true, and paramount. Why would anyone take that risk?

Because we have kept our beliefs and principles primarily to ourselves for most of our lives, we are both uncomfortable and unprepared conversing about them. This is particularly true when it comes to talking about one of the most verboten topics on the planet: one’s “religion” or faith. The thought of sharing our faith is as uncomfortable as having our fingers smashed in the closing of a car door and we feel as unprepared to try as when we first gripped the handlebars of a bicycle. The last thing we want is for someone to be turned away by something said

or to be perceived as being critical or condemning and most importantly; to be misunderstood.

Probably the largest and arguably one of the most influential institutions in human history was inaugurated in misunderstanding. The Christian Church spans centuries and billions of people shaping cultures, societies, languages, governments, and sciences. Before the Church became the influencer that it is (for good or ill), its opening day was undeniably uncertain. On a busy midmorning in a metropolitan city, a loud commotion was substantial enough to bring curious residents from their kitchens, patios, and occupations to investigate. Searching for the source of the disturbance, the inquisitive found a group of people who unexpectedly acquired the ability to speak more than one language. Assessing through the astonishment and confusion, some concluded the rationale behind the incident was the group had been enjoying too much wine. There was a harvest festival being held in the city and what better explanation than attributing it to booze induced festival goers. For those who had a firsthand experience, the source was

attributed to the work of the Holy Spirit. Whether one believed the commotion was caused by imbibing too much drink or the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, within the first hours of the Christian Church formation, a brand-new community found itself being misunderstood.

Even if we find solace and good company in this biblical narrative, the trepidations of being misunderstood are still real. We have had enough encounters where a faith conversation has quickly gone side-ways and relationships have become strained or ended. When it happens, it is painful and frustrating. However, misunderstandings between people occur more frequently than we might think. They transpire every day, even multiple times a day. The tone and volume of our voice, intentions, and body language can all be misconstrued. Even our pets can misinterpret our body language and behaviors (and they seem to overlook and forgive us).

There is an approach that seems to help work through misunderstandings that is an underappreciated practice. People of goodwill are sharing and collaborating everywhere offering information, guidance, and assistance

that is fostering relationships between nations, increasing health wellness, creating partnerships, saving lives, and enriching humanity. What is the secret that prevents them from descending into passionate and determined arguments aimed to critique, convince, and convert?

Most misunderstandings have their origins by bringing presuppositions and preconceived notions into a conversation. Both impacts how we think, behave, and respond to one another. Everyone experiences and interprets the world in a unique way, and we have varied approaches to forming ideas, beliefs, and principles. Ignoring these two realities are a causal root of misunderstandings that end up preventing honest and authentic faith conversations. Letting go of our presuppositions and preconceived notions allows trust, hope, empathy, and love to rise above any misunderstandings that materialize in our conversations.

Every human being is searching for the attributes of trust, hope, empathy, and love. These universal attributes are the secular cousins to the foundation of the Christian faith. We seek these not only within ourselves but also to receive from another. Being a person that someone

can trust, find hope, empathy, and love builds a common connection for all conversations. We can practice and devote ourselves to these faith qualities to allow a casual conversation to blossom into a deep, meaningful dialogue about the complexities and joys of living a life of faith.

Tohave this type of encounter we will have to keep our presuppositions and preconceptions in check and know that misunderstandings will happen. For others to know and receive the grace manifested in Jesus Christ, we must be as a person known for having responsible conversations. For our beliefs and principles from ever having the opportunity to be shared, heard, nurtured, and developed we must inquire and listen to others’ life experiences with openness and honesty. In doing so, we will get to meet new and interesting people who are searching for the same attributes that we are. And we can become seen as a person who it is safe to have amazing and fruitful conversations about politics, money, sex, war, health, ethnicity/race, family problems, and faith.

“Religion, politics, and money are three things that you should never talk about in polite society.”

Convention 2023

I don’t know about you, but I love a good story. I enjoy science fiction thrillers and fantasy films like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, or James Cameron’s Avatar series. I sit on the edge of my seat as the characters develop. The good guys end up being the bad guys and the bad guys are the good guys. All the twists and turns of the plots, the fantastical scenery, the strange creatures roaming the landscape, I find it all fascinating. But I also love to hear about real people and their stories, the twists and turns that God has taken them on, the exciting rides, the sad moments, and the times of reflection and growth.

We will be sharing our stories this year at Convention which will be held in Denton, Texas. Our theme for 20232025 is “This is Our Story,” from Psalm 107:2a NIV. “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.”

2023 will be the last year that we will meet with the General Assembly, and we want to share our story’s history, growth, twists, and turns. We are asking each Region to put together a storyboard that can be displayed at Convention, that shares your story. Where did you begin, who were some of your memorable people, and what activities have you been involved in?

During our time at Convention, we will also be sharing the story of CPWM, revisiting our history, where we began,

the changes that have happened along the way, and culminating in where we see ourselves in the future. This will be a time of celebration. Celebrating our history and celebrating our future! Come and join in the fun and excitement of Convention 2023!

Red River Presbytery and the CPWM Executive Committee have been hard at work envisioning this amazing moment. We will share stories of our history; we will look ahead to our future. We will visit Cumberland Youth and Family Services (formerly known as Cumberland Presbyterian Children’s Home). We will work on service projects for the Cumberland home and collect in-kind donations.

We hope and pray that you will be able to join us for this historic event. Regional Delegates will gather on Monday, June 19 for the Delegate Luncheon. Convention will officially begin on Tuesday, June 20 culminating on Thursday, June 22 with the Convention Luncheon.

Regions should select delegates to Convention as soon as possible. If you have already been selected, please register soon. The mail-in registration form is on the next page. Online registration can be found at https://cpcmc. org/mmt/convention/. The link for lodging information can also be found there. As new information becomes available, it

will also be posted on this page. Please check back often!

Red River Presbytery has been working hard with the CPWM Executive Team to have a magnificent Convention at the Embassy Suites. Denton, and the surrounding area, with its bustling activities, will not disappoint. The people, the scenery, and the food are wonderful!

As a reminder, the offerings and gifts for our projects will be collected during Convention (unless they have already been sent to the Center). As always, our fall project is the StottWallace Missionary Offering. Our spring project is the opportunity to share in the development of afterschool programs for at-risk youth in El Paso, Texas. Please make your donation to “Project Vida After School.” Our Convention Offering is to support the purchase of a Food Rescue Van for Beth-El Farmworkers Ministry in Wimauma, Florida. Please make your donation to “Beth-El Food Rescue Van.”

We are looking forward to seeing you soon! Questions regarding Convention can be sent to Rev. Rebecca Zahrte, Director of Ministry with Women, at rzahrte@cumberland.org.

2023 CONVENTION REGISTRATION

CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN’S MINISTRY

EMBASSY SUITES | DENTON, TEXAS | JUNE 20-22, 2023

Return your completed registration form and a check payable to the Missions Ministry Team to: Convention Registration, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016. A packet of information will be sent by email to those who register by June 1. Questions? Contact Rev. Rebecca Zahrte at 270-978-3328 or rzahrte@cumberland.org.

Name ____________________________________ Phone Number ________________

Address ______________________________________________________________

Congregation ___________________________ Region _________________________

Email _________________________________ Membership Level _________________

Are you: Regional Delegate _____ Youth Delegate _____ First time at Convention ____

Fees & Meals: Please indicate the number of tickets or fees you are paying in the blank on the left column. Calculate the total cost in the right column. All activities are financially supplemented by Our United Outreach. The actual cost is higher than reflected in the fees paid by participants.

Registration Type

Total

_____ Registration $60.00 by May 1 After May 1, $75.00. _____

_____ One-day registration $30.00 _____

Meals and Trips

_____ Regional Delegate Luncheon. Select one entrée. $45.00

_____ Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

_____ Classic Croissant Club

_____ Caesar Salad (Vegetarian)

_____ Cumberland Presbyterian Women’s Luncheon. Select one entrée. $50.00

_____ Asiago Chicken

Grilled Salmon

_____ Roasted Vegetable Risotto (Vegetarian)

_____ I would like to donate to the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund

Total Enclosed

Information about the special project and workshops will be in upcoming notifications and in the Registration Packet which you will receive via email in late May.

You are responsible for making your own lodging reservations. Convention is being held at the Denton Embassy Suites. Phone: 940-243-3799. Room rate is $154 + taxes.

Looking forward to seeing you in Denton!

FISHES LOAVES & FISHES +

THANKS FOR GIVING!

Loaves & Fishes

Your donation to the 2022 Loaves & Fishes Offering will be used to fund The Harvest Project in Brazil. The goal is that sufficient donations will be made that allow the Mata de São João Mission to provide monthly food assistance to fifteen families for two years. As of this writing, the offering has received $50,437.01.

Gift to the King

Our 2022 Gift to the King Offering is in support of our brothers and sisters laboring to share the love of Christ in the United Kingdom. We are still receiving offerings, but we have received $20,663.48 to date. Your offerings will be used to help support pastors and ministries in these different churches. It is our hope that by the end of 2023 our new mission churches will be well on their way to self-sufficiency.

Luz Stella Giraldo Marin, Director of the Colegio Americano Manizales, shares a note of appreciation for the 2021 Gift to the King Offering benefitting the “Colegios” (Colombian Schools).

“We thank God for His great blessings, including putting in the hearts of brothers and sisters worldwide the willingness to give for the benefit of families who in one way or another were affected by COVID-19.

In our school there were families who incurred debts because they had no income, and others lost their jobs because of illness. Although the school did everything possible to help these families, they were still left with financial challenges. Through the Gift to the King Offering these challenges could be mitigated. Various children were able to remain in school because of this offering.

There are several cases we can share of how this offering helped us. For example, the Lopez family received help from the Gift to the King Offering. Another family helped by this offering was the Escobars. The father is a street vendor and during the pandemic he could not work. Their income was so low they struggled to find resources to buy food. Their children stayed in school because of the Gift to the King Offering.

That is why today we want to thank you on behalf of these families and the Colegio Americano School of Manizales. Thanks to all the people who were part of this offering - for their great heart and desire to help others. God bless you and receive a fraternal hug from us.”

GIVING NEWS/ Second Mile Project for Missions

CP Missionaries to Spain, Wilson and Diana Lopez, have started a new church development in the suburbs of Madrid, Spain. They are currently meeting in a small one-room storefront. They have approximately 30 people in their new group. Thirty people fill up their small meeting space. The MMT is working with them to rent a larger space, one that has more room for worship and has spaces for children’s classes. As a result of needing

Financial Data:

Amount needed for Second Mile: $2,500.00

Amount received to date: $0

to move to a new storefront, we request that CPs help the new Madrid New Church Development (mission) purchase sound and kitchen equipment. Our goal is $2,500. This will provide enough support for people in this new mission point to purchase some basic equipment needed to better serve those that are coming.

Contributions:

Please make check payable to the Missions Ministry Team indicating for “Sound Equipment #34432” and mail to 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414.

Contact Lynn Thomas at lynndont@gmail.com, (901) 276-4572 ext. 261.

Cambodia

We are so thankful for those who support the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering which has helped bring financial stability to our missionary program.

He himself granted that some are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-12

POLICY: THE MISSIONARY MESSENGER is published for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church by the Missions Ministry Team. Opinions expressed by the individual writers are not necessarily those of the publisher or the editors.

THE MISSIONARY MESSENGER does not accept advertising. © 2023 Missions Ministry Team

ADDRESS CHANGE: Send new address and label from a recent issue to the Circulation Secretary at the address below.

THE MISSIONARY MESSENGER (ISSN 08868344), (Publication permit number: PE14376) is published quarterly by the Missions Ministry Team of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414. Periodicals postage paid at Memphis, Tenn. The magazine is sent free of charge upon request to each household in the denomination.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: THE MISSIONARY MESSENGER, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414.

Cumberland Presbyterian Elders

The role and responsibilities of lay leaders elected and ordained to be the church’s elders.

This book draws from materials used in countless workshops around the world to teach men and women what it means to be an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. This study is designed for new churches that are electing their first elders and for people new to the office of Elder. We will explore the biblical foundation for elders and their roles and responsibilities in the early church. You will learn what elders do within the Presbyterian system of church government, from the local church to the highest courts of the Church. We will talk about session meetings (church board meetings) and how they are conducted. You will see how elders are foundational to the ministry of Cumberland Presbyterian Churches and the denomination. If you are new to leadership or have years of experience and still have questions about elders, this book will be helpful.

Rev. Dr. Lynndon (Lynn) Thomas is a graduate of Bethel College (McKenzie, Tennessee), Memphis Theological Seminary (Memphis, Tennessee) and Fuller Theological Seminary’s School of Intercultural Studies (Pasadena, California). He has been a Cumberland Presbyterian pastor, missionary to Colombia, director of multicultural ministries USA, and currently the director of global missions. As a consequence of working for decades starting new CP churches, he has ample experience teaching church leaders from different nations and cultures their responsibilities within the Presbyterian system of church government.

Available from Cumberland Presbyterian Resources. (901) 276-4581