wfn.org | Missionary Posting is a family affair for Moores

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

June 15, 1997 
 
GA97013         MISSIONARY POSTING IS A FAMILY AFFAIR 
                            FOR MOORES 
 
SYRACUSE--As Robert Moore grew up in Asheville, N.C. in the early `50's, 
his artistic gifts pulled him toward art school, while his church 
commitment in the youth programs of First Presbyterian Church, called him 
toward ministry.  His talent and commitment will soon be joined as Moore 
becomes a Mission Specialist working with the National Evangelical 
Presbyterian Church of Guatemala (IENPG). 
 
    Last April the Presbytery of Western North Carolina commissioned Moore 
and his family by "laying hands" on Robert, Jr., 15, Donald, 14, and Janet, 
9.  Each was near tears as the ceremony concluded, until Janet said, "Oh, 
daddy, now I'm a real missionary." 
 
    Moore received a bachelor's degree in architecture from Clemson 
University and a Master of Fine Arts at East Tennessee State.  He taught 
Fine Arts at the Universities of South Carolina, Cincinnati, and Western 
Carolina, and was Artist in Residence for a term at the University of 
Georgia, where he met Linda. 
 
    Art and language (both are fluent in Spanish) led them to involvement 
with Latin-American peoples and concern for the widespread injustices in 
these cultures.  In the `70's they were asked to be missionaries by leaders 
of the former Presbyterian Church in the United States, but felt they could 
not yet make such a permanent commitment. 
 
    Instead the Moores joined the Peace Corps and served in Ecuador.  Moore 
was involved in several ecumenical missionary agencies, among them the 
International Christian Radio, sponsored by a consortium of 33 
denominations, and the Medical Assistance Program (MAP) where Moore became 
a teaching minister. 
 
    In 1988, the Moores returned to North Carolina.  Linda taught high 
school Spanish while Robert pursued further theological study and 
eventually enrolled in Western North Carolina Presbytery's first 
Commissioned Lay Pastor class. 
 
    Moore credits his many mentors in the presbytery for encouraging him 
and his family to accept their new challenge.  "Their support verbally, in 
writing, and in that commissioning ceremony," he says, "is a strong bond 
that lets us go, in full confidence of God's providence and purpose for 
us." 
 
Midge Mack 

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