wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] WMD creates mission network for Russia

[PCUSA NEWS <PCUSA.NEWS@ECUNET.ORG>]

Note #8994 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

05582
Oct. 27, 2005

WMD creates 23rd mission network

Alliance represents 45 U.S. congregations with partners in Russia 

by Pat Cole
WMD communications officer

ATLANTA - About 40 Presbyterians gathered here last week to form a network
for people involved in mission and congregational partnerships in Russia.

	The group is the 23rd mission network facilitated by the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.)'s Worldwide Ministries Division (WMD). 

	The group gathered on Oct.19 at Peachtree Presbyterian Church in
advance of a global mission conference sponsored by the Presbyterian Frontier
Fellowship and the Outreach Foundation in cooperation with WMD.

	About 45 PC(USA) congregations are "twinned" with Russian
congregations, according to Gary Payton, the PC(USA)'s regional liaison for
Russia. Paired congregations participate in joint mission programs and try to
create long-term relationships.

	The Rev. Bob Bronkema, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in
Palatka, FL, who once served as a PC(USA) mission worker in Italy, said he
and two members of his congregation came to the meeting to learn from other
Presbyterians with similar interests. 

	"We wanted to join with other people who are involved in Russia,"
Bronkema said, "to share stories and resources and to hear how Jesus Christ
is being revealed in their lives and experiences." 

	The Palatka congregation has been partners with a congregation in
Palatka, Russia, since 1987, four years before the collapse of the Soviet
Union.

	Payton said most PC(USA) international partnerships are formed at the
presbytery level, but those in Russia are congregation-to-congregation,
because none of the historic Christian groups in Russia - Orthodox, Baptist
and Lutheran - has fully developed district ministries.

	Established networks for Thailand, Kenya and the Kurdish people also
met in Atlanta, in gatherings facilitated by WMD's Ecumenical and Mission
Partnership Office.

For more information about PC(USA) mission networks, visit the Web site
www.pcusa.org/partnerships or contact the Rev. Les Sauer by email at
Lsauer@ctr.pcusa.org.

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