wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] Group puts "flesh" on new mission-education network

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Note #7976 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

Group puts "flesh" on new mission-education network
03440
Group puts "flesh" on new mission-education network
October 16, 2003

Filling in the blanks

Group puts "flesh" on new mission-education network

By Evan Silverstein

LOUISVILLE - A new Presbyterian Church (USA) panel concerned with global
educational mission is continuing to develop plans for increasing support for
the educational programs of overseas (PCUSA) partners.

The fledgling group - International Presbyterian Education Network (IPEN) -
has selected three countries in which to focus it's initial work: Democratic
Republic of the Congo, Lebanon and Palestine, and Vanuatu, which is a group
of 83 islands in the South West Pacific.

"I look forward to seeing what God has in store for us," said the Rev. David
Maxwell, coordinator of global education and leadership development in the
denomination's Worldwide Ministries Division (WMD). "I am greatly moved to
see our denomination moving towards building up what we are so good at, and
what is so central to our faith, a solid education and the opportunity to
develop all God's children's minds."

Defining the work of the new mission-education network came during an Oct.
10-12 meeting of global education-minded pastors, missionaries, retired
missionaries, lay volunteers and presbytery and synod representatives.
Maxwell, who presided over the brainstorming session said participants
realized that focusing on a few countries early in the formation of the
network would help put "flesh on this work."

"Rather than choose three countries with the greatest need," Maxwell said,
"they decided to choose a variety of situations, each presenting a special
challenge so that many factors can be considered."

The IPEN also decided to focus on two aspects of international global
education:

*People: The needs and possibilities for exchanges between PC(USA) and
educational leaders and programs in other countries. Possibilities include
providing partners with short-term volunteers, specialists, consultations,
teacher exchanges and delegations.

*Support: To compile a program that would help a large number of educational
programs of partner churches by providing such things as financial and
possibly material resources for children's scholarships, building materials
and teacher training.

An important part of the support work, Maxwell said, will be the provision of
educational materials to PC(USA) congregations so that children and adults
can learn about other countries and their educational needs.

Participants decided against a third focus on "strategy," which would have
involved monitoring global trends in education and recommending new
approaches in response. Instead, that concern will be incorporated into the
existing foci.

IPEN participants include David Walter of Grand Rapids, MI; Don and Carol
Mead of Glen Arbor, MI; Ruth Welch of Louisville, KY; and Sandy Wagener of
Ankeny, IA; Jeff Boyd of Yaounde, Cameroon; Melissa Kirkpatrick of
Alexandria, VA; the Rev. Quentin Small of Columbus, IN; and Dianne Berman of
Los Angeles, CA.

"This new network will focus on creating some channels, which can be used (to
address) ... specific educational challenges and opportunities," Maxwell
said. "It will also provide opportunities for giving of self and resources by
individuals committed to supporting the educational activities of PC(USA)
partner churches."

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