Mission Crossroads 21
Elaine is a native of Belfast and frst
became involved in reconciliation eforts with
the Corrymeela Community in the early
1970s. From 1973 to 1984 she taught eleven
18-year-olds at the Belfast Royal Academy
and contributed as a volunteer to various
Corrymeela programs. She is a member of the
Presbyterian Church in Ireland and an active
elder in their congregation in Stormont.
To support the Bakers in Northern Ireland
and the UK:
presbyterianmission.org/donate/ E200310
Scott and Elmarie Parker, Lebanon
Elmarie Parker is the regional liaison
for Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. She works
to strengthen partnerships, programs, and
relationships for World Mission as well as
its mission co-workers, ofering mentoring,
sharing, encouragement, and spiritual support.
Scott's focus is on young adults, and he is
helping the National Evangelical Synod
of Syria and Lebanon develop an English-
speaking worshiping community.
Te Parkers share an
admiration for the faithful
commitment of Middle
Eastern Christians
in an area flled with
confict and sufering.
Since accepting
her post in July
2013, Elmarie has
visited churches in Iraq
and Syria-Lebanon. "I
remember returning from
my frst trip to Iraq, having been
captured by the heart and courage of these
Presbyterian congregations. Tey have initiated
community outreach programs rather than
going into hiding amid persecution. Muslim
neighbors are asking that the Presbyterian
preschools be expanded into primary schools.
Presbyterians facilitate a radio ministry
proclaiming Christ's message of peace, a prison
visitation ministry ofering hope to female
prisoners, and a community home for senior
citizens who have fed the country. Seeing the
faithfulness of the church in these Middle
Eastern countries has inspired me to stand
with them to do all I can to help deepen and
strengthen the ties between them and the
congregations and members of the PC(USA)."
Just a few months before leaving for mission
orientation, Scott visited a refugee camp in
Lebanon flled with people escaping Syria's
civil war. He met a family who spent the winter
with just a thin tent for shelter and a woman
whose father was killed when a bomb leveled a
church and whose brother was tortured when
he refused to renounce his father. He also met
a pastor on vacation preparing to return to his
church despite daily death threats.
Both Elmarie and Scott believe the
opportunity to work with partners in these
Middle Eastern countries and the US matches
well their sense of call and their ministerial
gifts. Both Scott and Elmarie are teaching
elders and members of the Eastminster
Presbytery. Before entering mission service,
Elmarie served as pastor of Wicklife
Presbyterian Church in Austintown, Ohio, and
Scott was a hospital chaplain in Columbus.
To support the Parkers in the Middle East:
presbyterianmission.org/donate/ E200504
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Presbyterian World Mission is seeking candidates
for service in Egypt and other parts of the world.
If you are interested, please visit pcusa.org/onedoor
to read more and apply online, or call
888-728-7228 x 2530.
Do You Hear
God's Call?