Presbyterian Mission Resources

The August 2011 Presbyterian Panel survey questioned a panel of Presbyterian members, ruling elders, and teaching elders about immigration issues and immigration ministries. This report summarizes respondents' engagement with immigrants and immigrant ministries, their attitudes and beliefs regarding current policies, and theological views about citizenship.

The November 2012 questionnaire addresses the issues of violence and war from a Christian perspective.  This summary highlights findings from a survey of Presbyterian members, ruling elders, and teaching elders. The questionnaire also asked for respondents' familiarity with various Presbyterian Peacemaking initiatives.

A recent publication with findings from the U.S. Congregational Life Survey about New Presbyterian Churches.

Send a letter using this template to members of Congress opposing implementation of the fast track mechanism in addressing the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Welcome to the 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study

It was a regular Tuesday morning, nothing too out of the ordinary. And then they started: first one email, then a second, then more and more. They came from across the United States, from people and church groups I didn't know, all praying for Colombia and our ministry there. I immediately went and checked CNN: Was Colombia in the headlines again? Was it a coup or another disaster? Why were these Presbyterians I didn't know sending their support and solidarity to us in another country?

That was the first time my name popped up in the Mission Yearbook, and what a treat it was to be enveloped in the love, care, and compassion of people from all across our church as my wife and I served in mission with our partners in Colombia. In the years following that Tuesday, I would eagerly look forward to our day in the book, a day to know and feel the deep connection of Presbyterians serving God’s vision for the kingdom all over the world.

I now work on the national staff of the Presbyterian Young Adult Volunteer program (so my name will still be in there!) The theme of this year’s Mission Yearbook is young adults. This will be a great year to explore how young adults are engaging in God’s mission and how we are all called to be a part of ministry with young adults. Many of our YAVs—young adults serving across the United States and around the world for one year of faith-based mission—will pop up for prayer in these pages. Several will be writing reflections, inviting us to explore with them how God is at work in the lives of young people. YAVs offer a year to serve God and to explore God’s call for their futures. They, like many young adults of the millennial generation, have a strong desire to put their faith in action. I believe we as the Presbyterian church have much to learn from and offer to young adults in this vital and formative stage of life. 

I hope you’ll be challenged in the pages that follow: challenged into new ministries and challenged into deepening the good work you and the church are already doing. And along the way, drop a note to a YAV or another young adult you know. Let that young person know that none of us are in this alone, that we are all part of God’s plan. 

—Rev. Richard Williams: YAV, the Philippines (1999–2000) and Nashville (2000–01); mission coworker, Colombia (2009–2012) 

Let us pray

O God, let the words of this book and the stories they tell form us into your people. Give us the strength and vision to follow you in your mission in every country, always in the way of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

This document includes:

• Standing Rules
• Guidelines and Policies
• Organization for Mission

In times of disaster, the church is called to support the people of the world with our prayers, asking God to save them, shelter them from danger, and sustain them in the work of recovery. Download resources for worship and prayer. 

Presbyterian Men in Action | Volume 30, Number 1 | Spring 2013

Increasingly younger trauma patients who are violent; repeat visits to the emergency room by the same children; and a rising number of youth repeating violent acts. These are all reasons Mimi Sutherland, a nurse in Miami-Dade County, Florida, felt anger, sorrow, and frustration almost every day. Taking on a culture of violence would not be easy, but in 1999, Mimi decided it was time to take preventative action. 

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"The horror of the story is that it's outright human slavery. It's a shocking thing to learn about, but we all must hear it. This is happening all of the world, even in the United States," Mary Ann told us. "The problem is immense. But nothing can change until we start talking about it."

It's an international scandal that needs exposing, and if we can do it through churches and program supported through the Peacemaking Offering, then we can begin to act in solidarity with the Filipino people, even from our pews.

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"God has really coordinated this."

Those are the words of a Presbyterian grandmother in Kentucky who has witnessed her 13-year-old granddaughter changing the lives of other children and teenagers.

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What can a congregation in the United States do to change lives of women and children in South Sudan? We, I, you ... can take part by supporting RECONCILE, a group working toward peace building in the war-ravaged country.

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Thank, in part, to the Peacemaking Offering, Jessica Collins, a young girl in Kentucky, is proving she can change the world and move hearts -- for other children and teenagers.

See also... Minute for Mission

The PC(USA), in partnership with RECONCILE International's Peace Institute in South Sudan , provides financial assistance from the Peacemaking Offering and mission co-workers through World Mission. Your contributions, when combined with gifts of all PC(USA) members, can help support those affected by violence in South Sudan.

See also... Minute for Mission

Supported through your gifts to the Peacemaking Offering, Presbyterian Peacemaking Travel Study participants visited churches and communities in the Philippines -- working to find ways to effectively end modern slavery.

"Families are willing to take the chance to work elsewhere and send money home. They don't realize they're going to be slaves -- lockied up and unpaid. It's shocking, but we all must hear it. Alarmingly, this is happening all over, even in the US. Over 20.9 million people are forced into labor worldwide." - Mary Ann Eschbach

See also... Minute for Mission

One heat at a time, we can change the cultures of violence into communities of peace with this year's Peacemaking Offering.

Kari talk about life in Zambia.

Watch the streaming video.

Organization for Mission of the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.)

Check out lyrics for  a song about the Trans-Pacific Partnership set to the tune of "When the Saints Go Marching In" written by Cathy Murphy, Twin Cities Presbytery-Joining Hands.

Check out this video of  a song about the Trans-Pacific Partnership set to the tune of "When the Saints Go Marching In" written by Cathy Murphy, Twin Cities Presbytery-Joining Hands.