A special round-table discussion will precede the September 20 meeting of the Presbytery of San Diego at Solana Beach Presbyterian Church. To be held from 12 noon to 2 p.m., the forum will present reflections and discussion pertaining to the final report from the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church. Rev. Gary Demarest, co-chair of the task force, will be joined by Elder Dick Berry, Moderator of the Presbytery, and Elder Em Cummins, a member of the Presbytery's Committee on Ministry.

If you plan to attend, bring a brown bag lunch or order one for $5 by contacting Jan Stapp, 858-509-2580, email stapp@solanapres.org.

Unity is essential to church's global witness,
Kirkpatrick tells fledgling organization

by Jerry L. Van Marter

LOUISVILLE - In complex, fractious times, hope is "a scarce commodity" and communication is critical, a group of 175 church communicators was told on Aug. 12 by the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Speaking to participants in the first national gathering of the Presbyterian Communicators Network, Kirkpatrick said: "We have huge problems, but we have a huge reservoir of strength in the PC(USA). What we need most is new hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ - so we need communicators who will help inspire that hope."

Kirkpatrick said that inspiration "begins with telling the story of how God is at work throughout the PC(USA) … and nobody can do that better than you."

Inspiring hope is a challenge right now, he conceded, in part because of what he called "things that should concern all Presbyterians":

The rise of special interest groups and the decline of governing bodies in the church.
"We are so much like the early church in Paul's day that it's almost frightening," Kirkpatrick said. "There are already those who are promoting schism or talking about 'gracious separation,' who withhold per capita and claim that the church harbors two faiths." In the midst of all this conflict, he said, "Jesus continues to call us to find reconciliation and common purpose."

The loss of members and of congregational vitality.
"We must help our congregations move beyond a 'survival mentality,'" he said, "and help build spiritual renewal and congregational vitality." He said the PC(USA) is not losing members to other churches, "but out the back door to secularism."

The decline in quantity and quality of pastoral leadership.
The number of active and installed pastors has declined since 1990, and more churches are without installed pastors, he said. Some promising initiatives have been undertaken - a national pastors retreat this summer, a seminary debt-relief program sponsored by the Board of Pensions, intentional pastors' groups resourced by the Theology and Worship Office, and expanded Commissioned Lay Pastor programs in many presbyteries.

"Our key priority," he said, "must be to challenge the best and brightest of our young people to consider pastoral ministry, and then support them as they embark on ministry as a career."

An inflexible polity that impedes mission.
"The model of the 1950s will no longer work," Kirkpatrick said, quoting Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz" - "Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore."
Fifty years ago, Presbyterians were "very clear on Presbyterian connnectionalism and evangelistic mission," he said, but now "we have a new mission reality, and we've got to find the flexibility to respond to a rapidly changing world."

The loss of a vital and unifying vision.
"God intends us to be one church, so we need to rediscover the rock-hard commitments that are the heart of our faith," Kirkpatrick said, praising the work of the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church. "Then we need to strengthen presbyteries and nurture congregations, connecting them for mission and having the flexibility to resource them in the ways they need."
Those problems are more than offset, Kirkpatrick said, by denominational strengths, including:

A denomination with a compelling vision of the church.
That vision, he said, is clearly articulated in the first four chapters of The Book of Order, and includes an affirmation of Jesus Christ as head of the church; the six "Great Ends of the Church" as a "holistic vision" for the PC(USA); the central role of the church as a "missionary society carrying the gospel to the whole world"; and a "radically inclusive community that embraces diversity for the sake of unity."

A denomination committed to "making a difference for Christ" in this nation and around the world.
"In countless places, Kirkpatrick said, "Presbyterians are heeding the call to be a voice of reconciliation and faithfulness to Jesus Christ."

A denomination committed to global evangelism.
God is remaking the world through Christian witness everywhere, Kirkpatrick said, "and by the grace of God, our passion as Presbyterians for global mission has played a part."

A denomination committed to working ecumenically.
"To be Presbyterian is to be ecumenical," he said. "If ever there was a time when ecumenical efforts were essential, it's now. We'll never find reconciliation in the world until we find reconciliation in the church."

A denomination of strong congregations.
In PC(USA) congregations large and small, he said, "we see vital congregations with Biblical preaching, faithful observation of the sacraments, and strong community and global involvement."
These are "complicated, complex times," Kirkpatrick said. "More than ever, we need each other."
Quoting World Council of Churches General Secretary Sam Kobia, a Kenyan Methodist, he concluded: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

By John H. Adams
The Layman Online
Friday, August 12, 2005

Without mentioning the Presbyterian Lay Committee by name, Clifton Kirkpatrick, stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (USA), criticized three considerations of the renewal group that, he says, conflict with his aims for the church.

"We are so much like the early church in Paul's day that it is almost frightening," Kirkpatrick said during an address to the first meeting of the new Presbyterian Communicators Network.

"There are already those who are promoting schism or talking about 'gracious separation,' who withhold per capita and claim that the church harbors two faiths." In the midst of all this conflict, he said, "Jesus continues to call us to find reconciliation and common purpose."

Although citing Paul, Kirkpatrick did not mention that the Presbyterian Lay Committee has strongly supported the apostle's clear teachings about homosexuality, Biblical authority and interpretation and other issues that have been at the heart of the PCUSA's disagreements.

The proposal called "gracious separation" was first presented in October 2003 at Gathering VIII of the Presbyterian Coalition. The proposal, which was drafted by Robert L. Howard, former chairman of the Presbyterian Lay Committee and at that time a member of the board of the Presbyterian Coalition, was designed to provide the basis for an amicable separation of congregations within the PCUSA. It has been hotly debated but affirmed by many as a way to end the liberal-evangelical divide in the denomination.

The Presbyterian Lay Committee has consistently agreed with the denomination's Book of Order, the General Assembly and the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission (GAPJC) that local church sessions are entitled to withhold per capita and designate their gifts to ministries that they support. But Kirkpatrick has disagreed.

In the most recent ruling on Oct. 18, 2004, the GAPJC declared that Heartland Presbytery violated the constitution of the PCUSA by requiring local congregations to pay their full per capita and make and fulfill a presbytery mission pledge before being eligible for presbytery services. Howard, a trial lawyer and a Presbyterian elder, served as counsel for the congregations that filed a remedial complaint against the presbytery.

Before the ruling in the Heartland case, Kirkpatrick warned church officers that they could be found in violation of their ordination vows if they advocated withholding or redirecting per-capita requests. After the Heartland ruling, he issued a new advisory opinion that no longer threatened officers for such advocacy.

Kirkpatrick's reference to those who "claim the church harbors two faiths" apparently was aimed at monograph by the Presbyterian Lay Committee titled "Can Two Faiths Embrace One Future." The monograph was included as an insert in the August Layman. Thousands of additional copies have been ordered by readers.

In his address to the Presbyterian Communicators Network, Kirkpatrick repeated an assertion he has frequently made about the denomination's massive loss of members. He said the PCUSA is not losing members to other churches, "but out the back door to secularism."

But the PCUSA has done no exit polling to determine whether that is true. In the last three years, the denomination has lost more than 130,000 members, including nearly a dozen entire congregations. None of the congregations departed to secularism and all affiliated with more evangelical denominations. The denomination has provided no evidence about where those who left individually or as families went.

In its August edition, The Layman called on the denomination to do some actual exit polling to determine whether people are leaving because of the PCUSA's liberal policies. Several readers have responded in letters, noting their departure to more conservative denominations and not to secularism.

One reader, asking that his name not be used, wrote that five had recently left the PCUSA congregation he attended. Interestingly, three left for more conservative congregations and two went to the United Church of Christ (which the reader dubbed "Unitarians Considering Christ.")

"God intends us to be one church, so we need to rediscover the rock-hard commitments that are the heart of our faith," Kirkpatrick said, praising the work of the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church. "Then we need to strengthen presbyteries and nurture congregations, connecting them for mission and having the flexibility to resource them in the ways they need."

The Presbyterian Communicators Network is an in-house organization initially funded by a $100,000 appropriation through the General Assembly Council in its 2005-2006 Mission Work Plan. The purpose of the network is link the national office, presbyteries and synods in a combined effort to boost the PCUSA's public relations and information.

Disaster specialists traveling
to affected areas to help survivors

LOUISVILLE (Presbyterian News Service) - Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has issued a $10 million appeal for Hurricane Katrina relief.

PDA, the disaster-response agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), also has earmarked $500,000 from the One Great Hour of Sharing offering and general relief funds for immediate response to the needs of hurricane survivors.

Some of the funds will be used to support the deployment of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Team (PDAT) to assist the affected presbyteries, congregations and communities.

"I can tell you right now, it will be the biggest thing we've responded to domestically, in terms of the scope of the damage and the number of people involved," PDA Coordinator Susan Ryan said.

A bulletin insert is available at www.pcusa.org/pda.

Contributions for Hurricane Katrina relief may be sent through normal mission-giving channels by designating gifts for one of the following accounts: U.S. hurricane response, DR000169; pastoral care, DR000161; church damage, DR000163. Gifts by credit card can be made by calling PresbyTel at (800) 872-3283, or online at www.pcusa.org/pda/donate/accounts.htm. Checks payable to the PC(USA) can be mailed to: Presbyterian Church (USA), Individual Remittance Processing, P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.

Urges return to historic ordination principles

From WWW.PCUSA.ORG, 8/26/05

CHICAGO-The Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church voted unanimously today to approve their report to the 217th General Assembly (2006) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The vote is the culmination of the group's work, which began in December 2001. Their mandate from the General Assembly is "to lead the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in spiritual discernment of our Christian identity in and for the 21st century." Specific issues to be addressed include biblical authority, the nature and work of Jesus Christ, ordination standards, and power.

The task force makes seven recommendations, the first of which calls for the denomination to stay together while deep disagreement over issues like the ordination of gay and lesbian persons remain. "The gospel makes a difference in how we deal with those with whom we disagree," remarked the Reverend Frances Taylor Gench, during the group's discussion prior to their vote.

The group of twenty Presbyterians, chosen deliberately for the diversity of their views, recommends that the PC(USA) "avoid division into separate denominations." They urge forming diverse "discernment groups" like the task force itself and using discernment processes to complement parliamentary procedures that Presbyterian decision-making bodies are required to use.

To deal with the most controversial issues before it, the task force recommends that conflicts over ordination be addressed by the General Assembly issuing an "authoritative interpretation" of traditional Presbyterian principles that are summarized in section G 6.0108 of the Book of Order, part of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The authoritative interpretation affirms both the responsibility of the whole church to set ordination standards and the responsibility of the ordaining regional body to apply those standards. In the PC(USA), regional bodies known as presbyteries ordain ministers. The session-a congregation's governing body-ordains elders and deacons who serve as officers in the congregation.

The task force's proposed authoritative interpretation does not change the current constitutional standard for all persons seeking ordination: "chastity in singleness and fidelity in marriage between a man and a woman." Nor does it call for exceptions to traditional Presbyterian procedures. It does, however, re-emphasize a church tradition, dating from 1729, when ministers were permitted to dissent from an article in church standards of doctrine and government. If the ordaining body deemed that article "not essential," the ordination could proceed.

The authoritative interpretation requires that an ordaining body assess ways a candidate departs from established standards. If the candidate does not adhere to an essential of faith and practice, the candidate is barred from ordination. But if the ordaining body decides, after considering all aspects of the candidate's faith and conduct, that the departure is from a non-essential, ordination may be considered.

The result of this process would be that serious consideration of the question of essentials will make the examination of candidates for ministry both more rigorous and more flexible. Several presbyteries have already sent motions to the 217th General Assembly, which will meet in Birmingham next June, asking that the current "fidelity and chastity" standard be removed. The task force "strongly encourages" next year's General Assembly to make no changes to the Constitution in any area covered by the task force report, so that new proposals can be put into practice in a climate of less conflict.

The task force also encourages all Presbyterians to seek "conciliation and mediation" with each other rather than instituting formal actions against each other.

The task force report, entitled "A Season of Discernment," offers a lengthy theological reflection on the denomination's Christian identity in and for the 21st century as a demonstration that a diverse group of Presbyterians can affirm core Christian doctrines together. The report recounts the task force's "spiritual progress" as it studied the Bible and theology, worshipped, and discussed difficult issues.

The report includes a review of Presbyterian history and church law that offers some precedents and resources for staying together in times of conflict.

Elder Jenny Stoner, co-moderator of the task force, commented on the prospects of the report: "I believe that Presbyterians who disagree about some key issues really want to find ways to live together in unity and peace, holiness and justice. That is why our task force was created. I hope our report will be considered seriously and prayerfully as a means to that end."

The Reverend Gary Demarest, the other co-moderator, agreed: "The ultimate goal is not just to get along with each other, but to strengthen the mission of God to the world. Our witness to the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ must flow through our love for one another. In a world where people kill each other over differences, we are called to love friends and enemies midst the realities of our differences."

Timeline for the report is as follows:

• September 2005: Final report distributed to every congregation
• Fall and winter ('05), spring 2006: task force members itinerate throughout PC(USA)
• January 11-13, 2006: task force meeting (location TBD)
• June 15-22, 2006: 217th General Assembly meets, will consider final report

A special concert of music to benefit the Presbyterian Crisis Center and Military Outreach Ministry will be held at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, September 18, in the sanctuary at Faith Presbyterian Church, 5075 Campanile Drive near San Diego State University.

Produced by Rev. Hal Heath, this is the second in what has become an annual event to raise funds for the Presbytery's missions programs. Heath has lined up be singers and instrumentalists, soloists and ensembles presenting music from rock to ballads and jazz to classical.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children under 13. Please send your check payable to "Presbytery of San Diego, Benefit" and a self-addressed envelope to Ms. Jerry Griffith, 3932 Liggett Drive, San Diego CA 92106. For more information, call Heath at 858-586-0966.

Men's Groups from El Cajon, Fletcher Hills and Lakeside Presbyterian Churches will gather at 5 p.m., Sunday September 25, in the Lakeside Church Fellowship Hall for the Ironmen's Dinner. Special Guest Speaker will be KGTV-10 News Anchorman Bill Griffith, who is considered the "dean" of San Diego television news. The Ironmen started with men who attended Promise Keeper events.

Down 10 feet in the ground, next to rebar for a foundation pillar, Rev. Job Alameda, left, pastor of the Dios Con Nosotros ("God with Us") Church in the Otay Section of Tijuana, was joined by Baja Presbyterian Missions President Bob Battenfield on August 13 to lay the cornerstone for a new two-story, 120-seat sanctuary for the church. Building the sanctuary is the fulfillment of the vision of the late Roland and Kay Taylor, founders of Baja Missions (Native Missions), who during their lifetimes established the Taylor Memorial Trust Fund with the Presbyterian Foundation. Proceeds are designated for construction of new churches in Baja California. The Taylors wanted the Otay Church to be the first beneficiary of their trust. Boosted by the Taylor Fund, a total of $180,000 was raised by Baja Missions for the Dios Con Nosotros project

At the September Presbytery meeting, the Nominating Committee will place in nomination Rev. Dr. Jack Baca, Village Church Rancho Santa Fe, to serve as Moderator and Rev. Neal Nybo, Solana Beach Presbyterian Church, to serve as Vice-Moderator/Moderator Elect in 2006.

• Rev. James Hagelganz will be appointed to serve as Part-Time Stated Supply at Pacific Beach Presbyterian Church.
• Rev. Charles "Chuck" Hammond, who has served as Stated Supply at the La Jolla Presbyterian Church, will become the Interim Pastor effective September 16.
• A one-year extension of the Interim Pastor contract for the Rev. Dick Greenwood at Chula Vista Presbyterian Church will be approved, retroactive to June 13, 2005.
• Rev. Bob J. Myers will be received into membership of the Presbytery so that he may accept the invitation of the Brawley Presbyterian Church to serve as their Interim Pastor.
• Rev. Danilo Gabriel Morales will be received into membership of the Presbytery so that he may accept the invitation of the Iglesia Presbyteriana Hispana to serve as their pastor. Rev. Morales, originally from Argentina, most recently has served a church in Colorado.
• Rev. Kirk Bottomly, Fallbrook, and Rev. Steve Locke, El Cajon, will serve as Ordination Exam readers for 2005.

"The Year of Stephen"

As we begin the final quarter of the year, I am reminded that the life, ministry, and death of Stephen served as a hinge in the life of the early church. With the death of Stephen, the church entered into a reformation era. Old paradigms gave way to new forms of mission and ministry. The landscape of the church changed dramatically, as it scattered into the world. In many ways, I continue to see Stephen's impact being lived out today in our presbytery, as well as in the greater church. Indeed, this is the Year of Stephen.

Stephen represents the end of the "TEMPLE MINDSET"

PUP Report: The final report from the Peace, Unity and Purity Task Force of the General Assembly was posted on the website of the PC(USA) on August 25, 2005. The initial response to the report within our denomination-as well as our presbytery-has been mixed. Members of the task force plead in their first recommendation that the church's unity be preserved at all costs. However, initial responses suggest that many readers have moved directly to the fifth recommendation (regarding the Authoritative Interpretation of G6.0108a), which most directly addresses the hot-button issue of homosexuality and church office.

Several pastors in our presbytery are preparing a response to the report in the form of a resolution to be brought before the presbytery in November for study and for a vote in early 2006. Many of us sense that the reactions to this report and the upcoming actions of the General Assembly in June 2006 could further polarize, divide, and forever change the landscape of our beloved denomination.

Long Range Planning Task Force Report: The final report of the Long Range Planning Task Force was adopted by the presbytery on May 17, 2005. Rev. Mike McClenahan (Solana Beach) has convened two informal meetings with a random cluster of pastors, to solicit input concerning future goals and objectives for our presbytery in four key areas: healthy congregations; church transformation; new church development; and collaborative mission efforts. These discussions have proven to be very helpful.

The landscape of our presbytery is changing. The top-down, presbytery-driven programs, staff, and budget are being downsized so that local congregations will become the primary agents for mission and ministry in our community, our region, and the world. Several pastors have expressed deep concern over the future cohesiveness of our presbytery and the PC(USA) in the aftermath of the PUP Report and in anticipation of related actions that may be taken during the General Assembly meeting next June. As a result of these conversations, several Pastor's Sabbath Retreats have been scheduled for the fall of 2005 and the spring of 2006.

Decentralization of Military Outreach: Heather Henderson (Director, Military Outreach Ministries) resigned in mid-July and accepted a position with a law firm in Los Angeles. Heather's organizational gifts and overall strong leadership of the ministry are greatly missed. The Human Resources Committee has taken immediate steps to secure the ministry in this season of transition by appointing Jennifer Martin as Acting Director of the ministry. The committee has also appointed Chuck Smith (Elder, Chula Vista) as the Decentralization Project Coordinator. Both steering committees (North County and South County) have been established and are meeting regularly around the four staff members.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is being finalized and will be presented to the Council in October. The MOU will finalize the decentralization of the ministry into two geographic clusters of churches. All property, staff, resources, and finances will be transferred to the two steering committees by the end of the year. There is much enthusiasm about the decentralization of Military Outreach, and the ministry will continue to have a positive impact on the lives of military families in our area.

Stephen represents the beginning of the "MISSIONAL MINDSET"

Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund: The presbytery received $85,000 from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) in the aftermath of the firestorms of October 2003. Presbyterians all over the country responded graciously with financial contributions to help us walk beside those displaced by the fires. How wonderful it was this past winter and spring to be able to return the favor and give over $137,000.00 to PDA for tsunami relief efforts!

The presbytery has now established a Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund and will again forward 100% of all monies received to PDA. I hope and pray that we will come together as a presbytery around this opportunity for mission and respond in significant ways for the hundreds of thousands of victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Habitat for Humanity Partnership: The first stage of the partnership between the Presbytery of San Diego and Habitat for Humanity is nearly completed. The Amos family home, built by Habitat for Humanity and totally funded by the presbytery ($110,000), will be completed by early October.

This collaborative effort among our churches was a wonderful expression of the presbytery coming together around mission. Many volunteers from several of our churches worked diligently over the past several months to stand alongside the Amos family. They provided love, encouragement, laughter, and . . . hammers! Approximately $50,000 remains in the presbytery's Fire Relief Fund, and it is postmarked for the construction of a second home, which is expected to begin sometime this fall.

PSD Mission Trip to the AFAR: Rev. Tom Theriault (Solana Beach) is coordinating the first-ever, presbytery-wide mission trip to visit the Afar people in Ethiopia. I am thrilled to be going with Tom, Lewis Leon, and other pastors from Southern California to visit with the forgotten people of Ethiopia from October 31 to November 11, 2005.

The Afar call themselves "the forgotten people," and it's easy to see why. The desert environment has discouraged many from extending a hand of help. But a growing number of American Christians partnering with World Vision Ethiopia and Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus is taking the blessing of God's Kingdom to the desert. The Afar people are beginning to understand that they are no longer forgotten. Our highest aim is to see a community of Christians rise up among these longtime Muslims.

Our trip is designed to do four things: 1) build strong relationships with our Ethiopian partners and the Afar people; 2) stir within our churches greater vision and commitment to the mission of Christ in the world; 3) witness the amazing things God has done among the Afar; and 4) generate ideas for improving the life of the Afar people both physically and spiritually.

Reality Changers: Director Chris Yanov continues to amaze me with his passion, devotion, and highly effective ministry at Reality Changers, where the focus is on "building first-generation college students who follow God's Word."

Over 60 kids from the program attended Forrest Home Christian Conference Center this summer and experienced a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. Also this summer, the program suffered a tragedy when the parents of a brother and sister in the program were involved in a horrible murder/suicide. The leaders, students, and several individuals from the presbytery have come together to support and encourage one another in meaningful ways. The presbytery has established a fund to begin to care for the children left behind in this shattered but strong family.

Reality Changers fall programs are now beginning, with over 40 students attending the Tuesday night program at Iglesia Presbyteriana Hispania and 14 students attending a new Wednesday night program at Solana Beach Presbyterian Church. Chris will remain on the presbytery staff as long as funds are available. Currently, only five of our 31 churches are contributing to his support.

The landscape of our denomination-as well as that of our presbytery-is changing. Old paradigms are being dismantled. New paradigms are being shaped. God is on the move through his bride. Stephen's was right: the Most High God doesn't live in a temple made with human hands (Acts 7:48). The temple no longer has a street address. It is invisible. And so is the presbytery. In this reformation year of Stephen, may his life and death lead us deeper into relationship with each other as we, together, take the gospel into the world.

Rev. Andy Smith, Executive Presbyter

Rev. Antonio (Tony) Aja, Associate Director
Worldwide Ministries Division, People in Mutual Mission
Presbyterian Church (USA)

I was sitting around a table with PCUSA mission co-workers at lunch during the ecumenical portion of our Summer Orientation in Chicago. John Ewers, who along with his wife Paula is going to Colombia, asked me: "What gives you hope, Tony, for our church?"

Without even thinking I answered: "People like you, John, as well as these young adults who are willing to leave family, home and friends to engage in mission for God in partnership and solidarity with others in a totally different country and culture."

With the same urgency and without flinching an eye, John retorted: "Well, for me it is the fellowship and relationships we have developed at this Orientation. There is a communal energy found when people come together to do God's mission."

"Communal energy." The phrase is not found in the Bible but it is certainly biblical and theological. It has great repercussions for the way we do God's Mission in today's globalized world and societies.

At another occasion some time ago a representative of a partner church from Asia asked the following: "Can we have partnership without money?" That was a charged question, of course. For many decades relationships between North American churches and their counterparts in other countries were based on our ability to provide resources, creating an unequal yoke of dependency and servitude.

Missionaries (or mission workers like we prefer to call them today) were either unwilling or willing participants in this process. Sadly, that is still true in many cases. For a while some partner churches actually severed the relationship with us in order to prove to themselves that they could survive and even thrive without our dollars. And that was actually the case with many of them.

We must admit that the state of the world is such -- thanks to economic globalization and other issues -- that our partner churches still need our money and resources.

However, since I am the director of the area in WMD responsible for the recruitment, orientation and care of mission personnel, I believe that while our partners still need our resources and money, there is no way that we can have true partnership without the human presence. And I base this premise in Jesus' own example. Without relationships that flourish when people are willing to transcend their nationality, language, culture and worldview in order to meet other people, we cannot have partnership. Without people who are willing to "walk a mile in somebody else's shoes" we cannot have partnership. Without people who are willing to live in solidarity with those who are poor or oppressed or disenfranchised or sick or marginalized we cannot have partnership. Without people who are willing to leave home and family in order to be witnesses to the gospel of Jesus Christ where there is no visible Christian presence we cannot have partnership.

Without this "communal energy" only found when people come together to share dreams and ideas and God-thoughts we cannot have true mission in the name of God.

God did not send money or resources to save us and restore us to relationship to God. God sent a person, Jesus Christ, to restore that relationship. And he was dirt poor!

I am glad to share with you that through the Worldwide Ministries Division so far this year we have oriented and deployed 37 new long-term mission workers, and will orient and deploy 32 international Young Adult Volunteers and 28 National Young Adult Volunteers or Young Adult Interns (through the National Ministries Division) this summer and fall. Over 20 short-term volunteers have also been sent to countries like Colombia and Sudan for specific assignments. We have also renewed the terms for scores of international co-workers and long-term volunteers.

The "communal energy" that your mission co-worker John Ewers talks about is alive in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). We continue to answer our partner's needs with resources and money, yes, but mostly with people who develop relationships and incarnate Jesus as they themselves find Jesus in the eyes of those they minister with in far away lands, answering the call to do God's mission in mutuality, under the power of the Holy Spirit.

Rev. Antonio (Tony) Aja, Associate Director
Worldwide Ministries Division, People in Mutual Mission
Presbyterian Church (USA)
100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202
1-888-728-7228, ext. 5273
taja@ctr.pcusa.org

by Brian Reames

God, in His infinite wisdom, waited to tell me I was going to Costa Rica until two weeks prior to the trip because He knew that if I had had sixth months to think about it, I would have talked myself out of going.

After all, I had never really had any desire to do global missions-especially in Costa Rica. My story of getting to Costa Rica is much like that of Gideon, who's story is found in Judges chapters six and seven. An angel of the Lord came to Gideon and told him that he would have victory over the Midianites, the people who had been terrorizing the Israelites.

Gideon's first response is much like mine. He could not believe that God would choose him. After all, he was the youngest son of the smallest, least important family in all of Israel. Gideon and I both wanted to make sure that we had heard God correctly.

The story of my mission trip to camp La Cumbre (The Summit) in Costa Rica begins at another camp here in Jamul, Indian Hills Camp. I have been working at this camp for the past four summers and it is through Indian Hills that my opportunity to serve the Lord in Costa Rica arose. In the past few years, Indian Hills has become increasingly globally minded, sending experienced camp staff to different camps in other countries to help develop various parts of these camps' program and generally to serve those camps. Teams have been sent to Russia, Poland, India, and Costa Rica. Also starting this summer, staff members from camps across the world are coming to Indian Hills to learn about how we run our camp. This summer we had staff come from India, Poland, and later in the summer, from Russia.

The other five staff members who were to go to Costa Rica this summer were asked six months prior to the trip. Through a strange series of events, a sixth spot opened for a camp staff member to go. The sixth spot opened up two weeks prior to the trip. One Sunday night, at a camp session just starting at Indian Hills, the director comes to me and asks me, "How would you like to go to Costa Rica?"

Gideon had two tests; first he placed a fleece on the ground and said, "God, if you really want me to have victory over the Midianites, cover this fleece with dew and make the ground around it dry." The next morning the fleece was covered in dew and the ground was dry.

Gideon had a second test. He said, "Lord, just to make absolutely certain I understood you, I'm going to leave the fleece out again, but this time keep the fleece dry and cover the ground around it with dew." The next mourning the fleece was dry and the ground was covered with dew. After this Gideon knew that God did in fact want him to go into battle against the Midianites.

I too had a few tests to make sure I had understood God correctly. My first test was this; if God truly wanted me to go to Costa Rica, then my parents and the wise and discerning people in my church would also think it was a good idea for me to go. I thought that surely if I had not heard correctly, that at least one person in my church would be discerning enough to see that I wasn't meant to go.

That Sunday night after I had been asked to go, I called my parents from camp and asked them how they felt about me going to Costa Rica. I also asked them to call the deacon's prayer chain and some other Godly people in my church, and ask them to pray for me.

The next morning I called my parents again and asked what everyone thought about the trip. They said that everyone was excited for me. God had given me a clear "yes" to my first sign.

I had a second test though. If I were supposed to go to Costa Rica, God would provide the money I needed for the trip, which was about $1,400. That very night, people were showing up to my parents' bible study with checks in case I decided to go.

God is truly amazing -- he provided more than enough money for me to go on the trip within the two weeks before I left. I didn't have to send out a single support letter or ask a single person for money. Simply by word of mouth God provided.

For both Gideon and me God was willing to provide signs when we were unsure. God does not mind if we test Him to make certain we are doing His will, but once we are certain, we must obey.

Despite the signs God gave Gideon, he still wanted him to have faith. Gideon had assembled an army of 32,000 men and was preparing to go into battle when the Angel of the Lord appeared to him again and told him that he had too many men. God wanted to make certain that everyone would know that it was He who had delivered Israel from the Midianites and not Gideon and his army. Through a series of tests Gideon's army was whittled down to 300 men. And with 300 men God gave Gideon victory over the Midianites as He had promised.

God wanted faith from me, too. Before going to Costa Rica, I had never been outside of the United States, which meant I did not have a passport. It is difficult, if not near impossible, to get a passport in two weeks.

Amazingly, my passport was due to arrive the Thursday before I left. I left the following Monday. But the passport did not arrive on Thursday, nor did it arrive on Friday, nor Saturday. At this point I was despairing as I could see no way it would be possible for me to get the passport before my flight.

Miraculously, I was put into contact with someone who worked at the Jamul post office, where my passport was destined. She said that if it arrived in the 4 a.m. shipment of mail on Monday she could hold it for me and I could pick it up at the post office, instead of having to wait for it to arrive later that day at Indian Hills.

It did arrive in the 4 a.m. I literally picked my passport up from the post office on my way to the airport. God wanted to make sure that everyone knew that it was He who was sending me to Costa Rica and that He alone was providing the means for me to go.

The story of Gideon and my story show that we serve the same great God today as did the faithful people of the Old Testament, and that that same great God works in the same ways. Through my experience in getting to Costa Rica God taught me that He will accomplish His will, even if it takes a miracle. He taught me also that He doesn't mind if we test Him to make sure we are doing His will. And finally, God taught me that, above all, He still requires faith.

A fellow bondservant of Christ,

Brian Reames
4th Year Music Major at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Member, Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Church