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
20 Spring 2015 Presbyterian World Mission brings God's global family together to address poverty, work toward reconciliation, and proclaim God's saving love in Jesus Christ. W O R L D R O U N D U P | Kathy Melvin Michael and Rachel Ludwig, Niger Since they arrived in 2014, Michael and Rachel Ludwig have worked to strengthen the literacy skills of both Muslims and Christians in Niger, a country where only 30 percent of the people can read and write. Because pastors are among the most educated people in a community, they are often approached for help. Michael helps pastors and evangelists in the Evangelical Church in the Republic of Niger (EERN) raise their profciency as literacy teachers and works with students and teachers at two Bible schools. Additionally, he is acquainting the EERN with the Community Health Evangelism model, an initiative that integrates community-based development, evangelism, and discipleship. Rachel and Michael are working together to serve with the church and in the community as God leads and to raise their two children. Te Ludwig family is strengthened by the guidance ofered by 2 Corinthians 2:17: "For we are not peddlers of God's word like so many; but in Christ we speak as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God and standing in his presence." "Tis informs our mission service because it reminds us to be genuine in sharing things of God that are life giving and that are relational, coming as a result of our own relationship with God. [Te unacceptable alternative would be] trying to get people to sign on to some program because we need to carry through our preconceived agenda of what people in Africa need," Michael says. Te Ludwigs are grateful for the gifts of communication, prayer, and fnancial support that enable them to share their gifts with people in Niger. Tey ask for prayerful support for the leadership of the EERN and its vision to strengthen the church. If you'd like to give fnancially or provide encouragment for us, please use the following donation code. As Paul reminds the Romans, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you. To support the Ludwigs in Niger: presbyterianmission.org/donate/ E200513 Doug and Elaine Baker, Ireland and the UK Doug Baker frst experienced Northern Ireland as a college student in the summer of 1970 when he was invited to work in Northern Ireland through a program sponsored by University Presbyterian Church in Seattle. A deep love and concern for the people brought him back to Northern Ireland as a mission co- worker. Now, many years later, he has invested much of his life in the region. Doug is now the PC(USA)'s regional liaison for Ireland and the United Kingdom. In this role, he helps Presbyterians in the US become involved in ministry in Ireland and the UK and works to maintain relationships with partner churches. He is also responsible for coordinating the Northern Ireland Young Adult Volunteer (YAV ) program. In addition to supporting youth and children's programs in congregations, YAVs spend part of each week involved in community projects. Doug mentors YAVs as they learn to live in an intentional Christian community, serve the church's mission, and engage in vocational discernment. Doug's wife, Elaine, assists in the ministries with YAVs and also helps facilitate group visits from the US. "I see the YAVs making wonderful contributions not only in what they contribute during the year they serve in Northern Ireland," Doug says, "but in the leadership roles that they are taking on in the PC(USA) when they return to the United States." Doug graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle in 1972 and received his master of divinity degree from Princeton Teological Seminary in 1976. He served as associate pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, until his appointment to Ireland. He is a clergy member of the Presbytery of Donegal. l i n o p p a p C r a a B