Mission Crossroads is a three-time-a-year magazine focused on worldwide work of the PC(USA). It offers news and feature stories about mission personnel, international partners and grassroots Presbyterians involved in God's mission in the world.
Issue link: https://missioncrossroads.epubxp.com/i/491857
Mission Crossroads 13 Bryan and Janice Beck's life of generosity is a story told in three stages: past, present, and future. Teir story begins in the homes where they were raised. "My parents and Janice's parents were generous stewards," Bryan says. Both observed their parents sharing their time and resources with their communities and congregations. "I admired both of my parents for that, and I really wanted to do the same at some point in my life," Janice says. Janice grew up in a Methodist family in the Gulf Coast region of Texas. Bryan, a cradle Presbyterian, spent his formative years in Washington state and West Texas. Tirty years ago, the couple moved to Albuquerque, where Bryan, a physician, practiced cardiology until his retirement in 2013. Janice, an educator, teaches preschool children. Not long after moving to Albuquerque, the Becks joined Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian Church and grew to appreciate the mission history of Presbyterians in New Mexico. Tat heritage, like the legacy of sharing they received from their parents, helped form their commitment to serving and giving. "One of the footprints of the Presbyterian Church in New Mexico is the establishment of mission outreach, especially in terms of health care, hospitals, and education," Bryan says. "Tese were models for me and for Janice." "I got a sense of how striking the Presbyterian Church is in its mission work," Janice adds. Inspired by their spiritual forebears, the Becks delved into Presbyterian Church (USA.) mission. Tey have served as volunteers with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance both nationally and internationally, and they participate in their congregation and presbytery's partnerships with Presbyterians in Cuba. Tey have supported disaster assistance, hunger ministries, and mission co-workers with fnancial gifts. As they write the current chapter of their generosity story, Bryan and Janice look toward the saga's fnal chapter. Half of their estate will go to their two sons, Brandon and Justin, and the other half will be divided among their congregation, the Presbyterian Mission Agency, and other causes dear to them. Despite a record of giving generously, Bryan says he wrestles with what it means to be a good steward. "Janice and I are blessed to be able to give almost painlessly," he says. Te Becks have come to believe that faithful stewardship includes sharing their values and passions with others. Following their own parents' lead, they taught their now grown sons about service and generosity. Both sons have been mission volunteers in Latin America and the US. Justin now works with youth in East Palo Alto, CA, a low- income community in one of the nation's wealthiest counties. In their Presbyterian family, they seek to inspire others to give. Tey joined with other donors who collectively promised late last fall to match all gifts given to mission co-worker support, up to $75,000. Tat match was met as well as a $62,480 follow-up challenge from other donors. Also in 2014, Bryan and Janice hosted a dinner to encourage fnancial support for mission co-workers. In presenting giving opportunities to friends, they are trusting that they will "get excited about the information we share with them," Bryan says. Te Becks hope this excitement will spark a new chapter in the generosity stories of others. Bryan and Janice Beck's lessons from the past encourage stewardship By Pat Cole