Mission Crossroads

SPR 2015

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.

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Mission Crossroads 17 abundantly, (3) giving support to the national goals and aspirations for social reform, (4) strengthening the life of the churches in whatever denominational or ecumenical ways may be available, and (5) helping, through God's message of reconciliation, to heal the enmities which separate people from God and from each other and to bring to bear on the life of individuals and of the nation the spirit and principles of Christ." 1962 A draft constitution for the Evangelical Synod of Iraq is drawn up with six organized churches and three active ordained ministers. The number of members is estimated to be 2,000. 1967 Israel's attack on neighboring Arab states leads to heightened anti-American and anti-Christian sentiments. All mission personnel are evacuated to Iran. 1968 Baath Party coup brings Saddam Hussein to power. Within two years, all bank accounts in Baghdad are frozen. Iraqi government seizes properties in Mosul, Bahsheeqa, and Basra. Mission teachers are expelled at the end of the school year. The mission decides that all personnel should actively prepare to leave Iraq. The United Mission in Iraq wraps up its afairs in the country. 1974 Middle East Council of Churches is inaugurated to bring together Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant churches in the region. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) partners with and supports the work of the Council and its member churches. 2003 US-led military invasion of Iraq initiates a new period of persecution for Christians. Thousands are killed. Many Christians fee to neighboring countries and elsewhere. Two Presbyterian congregations in Baghdad and Mosul close due to violence. Only three congregations remain in Baghdad, Kirkuk, and Basra. 2014 Militant Islamist factions unite in northern Iraq and Syria to form the "Islamic State." Hundreds of thousands of minorities, including Christians, are forced to fee. No more Christians remain in the Nineveh Plains, which had been home for Christians for two millennia. Today PC(USA) personnel serve in active partnership alongside Iraqi Christians to give witness to the love of God in Jesus Christ in the midst of difculties and hardships. 1932 Eli Smith and Harrison Dwight travel east from Syria to survey where Presbyterian mission could be welcomed. In 1839 The Eastern Syria Mission begins at Mosul (in present- day Iraq). 1851 A church is organized in the city of Mosul. (A century and a half later, the congregation is decimated following the 2003 US invasion of Iraq due to sectarian violence.) 1880 s The Presbyterian Church begins a mission to Kurdistan region. The Reformed Church in America (RCA) establishes mission stations further south in Basrah and Amarah. 1915 The massacres and expulsion of the Armenians and Assyrians decimates Christian presence in Asia Minor. Many of the survivors settle in Iraq and Persia. The mission provides relief and shelter to refugees. 1920 s Presbyterians and RCA establish a United Mission in Iraq. 1930 Colonial intrusion by Britain and France in the region creates hostile feelings toward foreigners, and negatively impacts mission activities. 1948 US government recognizes the establishment of the state of Israel in Palestine, which further complicates the work of mission. 1950 s A popular revolution brings an end to the monarchy and colonial infuence. Perceptions that foreigners have been supportive of the deposed government result in further restrictions on the work of the mission. Male mission personnel are expelled. The church in Mosul calls a pastor from Egypt to replace American personnel. The Kirkuk church ordains an Iraqi pastor. Eforts of the mission are limited to educational work with the schools in Baghdad and Basrah. 1958 The United Mission in Iraq is restructured and identifes its aims as "the greatest possible assistance to the people of Iraq, by (1) bearing witness to the unique revelation of God in Jesus Christ, (2) ministering to people's needs of all kinds, to the end that they may have life more Presbyterian Mission in Iraq 1918 1940 s Missionaries crossing the Tigres River in a Goofa Bible Wagon at a Kurdish camp

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