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06539 October 23, 2006
$250,000 MIJHH gift funds two new mission positions at Pakistan's Forman Christian College
Two Southern California congregations, steering committee member Chuck Ford guarantee three-year appointments
by Emily Enders Odom MIJHH communications officer
LOUISVILLE * Two southern California congregations and Mission Initiative: Joining Hearts and Hands (MIJHH) steering committee member Chuck Ford have combined to fund two mission workers at Forman Christian College * the "crown jewel of Presbyterian educational mission in Pakistan."
The $250,000 commitment from St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Newport Beach, CA, combined with generous gifts from La Cañada (CA) Presbyterian Church and Ford, will guarantee funding for Robert Johnson and Marianne Vermeer for the next three years.
The MIJHH is a five-year, $40 million campaign of the Presbyerian Church (U.S.A.) to renew the church for mission by raising funds for overseas mission personnel and church growth in this country, particularly racial ethnic and immigrant congregations.
The $250,000 gift from St. Andrews is in partial fulfillment of the congregation's $1.5 million pledge to MIJHHthrough the $4.5 million Los Ranchos Presbytery campaign.
Forman Christian College, located in Lahore, Pakistan, was officially returned in March 2003 to the management of the PC(USA) after 31 years of government control.
Gen. Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's president, tops the roster of famous Forman Christian College alumni.
Marianne Vermeer serves the institution as executive assistant to the principal, while her husband, Robert Johnson, teaches at the college.
Vermeer, who holds an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, is also teaching part time in Forman's business department. Johnson, who received his Ph.D. this past May from Union Theological Seminary and the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA, is associate professor of religious studies and dean of the chapel.
"We are delighted to direct our focus to such a strategic ministry as Forman Christian College, served by two such capable people as the Vermeer-Johnsons," said the Rev. Jim Birchfield, pastor for mission and discipleship at St. Andrews. "Mission is a fundamental part of who we believe God has called us to be as a church. We give 25% of our operating budget earmarked for mission."
According to Birchfield, the 3,900-member congregation has always understood that to be blessed with considerable wealth also calls it to be a blessing to others. "A huge heart for mission has been part of the congregation's vision from the beginning," Birchfield said of the 58-year old church.
Also influential in shaping the congregation's balanced view of mission * embracing both local and global concerns * has been the Rev. John Huffman, head of staff at St. Andrews. "A past chairman of the board of World Vision, John has always had a global perspective," Birchfield added.
Huffman, along with Ford, serves on the MIJHH steering committee.
Birchfield said that St. Andrews responded to the specific mission funding opportunity with the Vermeer-Johnsons on a number of levels. Among those, he cited the strategic importance of Pakistan as being located in the "10/40 Window" * defined as the area that extends from 10 degrees to 40 degrees north of the Equator, stretching from North Africa across to China. That area contains the world's largest population of non-Christians.
Birchfield said that the church also responded to the college's historic impact on Pakistan in having provided one of the premier educational missions in the country. "In God's time," he said, "doors may open up for that to happen again."
He also underscored the importance of joining with other PC(USA) partners * such as La Cañada and Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta * which have carefully researched and now support Forman's ministry.
Birchfield sees St. Andrews' missional emphasis on creating and enabling strategic partnerships in places such as Egypt, Malawi * and now Pakistan * as its growing edge. "We just consider it a privilege to partner with Forman Christian College through Joining Hearts & Hands," he said, "and are humbled by the opportunity."
Peter Armacost, former president of PC(USA)-related Eckerd College in Florida and principal of Forman Christian College, has identified additional needed faculty positions as Forman continues its revitalization.
To make a gift or pledge toward the funding of these new positions, visit the Joining Hearts & Hands Web site [http://www.pcusa.org/joiningheartsandhands/] or call (888) 728-7228, ext. 5611. Contributions can also be sent by mail to: Presbyterian Church, Individual Remittance Processing, PO Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700, and may be designated by including Forman Christian College and the identification number MI 910074 in the memo line of the check.
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