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2016
Winter - Community
January - Partner with Us . . .
Older Letters
Fall 2015 - Lasson Kamanga
Summer 2015 - Looking at Sanitation Access
April 2015 - Interpretation Schedule, 2015
January 2015 - Call Renewed
Fall 2014 - Family
July 2014 - Not Much of a Break
Spring 2014 - A Time of Change
Winter 2013
October 2013
August 2013
The 2015 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 156
Dr. Rochelle Holm and Tyler Holm
Mission Co-workers in Malawi since 2013
Serving at the University of Livingstonia, College of Theology, and Mzuzu University
Give to Rochelle and Tyler's Ministry Download Tyler and Rochelle's prayer card
Contact Rochelle Holm (rochelle.holm@pcusa.org)
Contact Tyler Holm (tyler.holm@pcusa.org)
Rochelle and Tyler will next be in the U.S. and available for speaking in 2018. Email them to invite them to speak at your church or organization.
About Tyler and Rochelle Holm's ministry
Tyler and Rochelle Holm serve in Mzuzu, Malawi, at the invitation of the Church of Central African Presbyterian (CCAP), Synod of Livingstonia. Tyler serves on faculty at the University of Livingstonia and prepares future CCAP ministers, and Rochelle manages a program to help bring clean water and sanitation to the people of Malawi.
Tyler is an instructor (lecturer) of biblical studies at the University of Livingstonia, Faculty of Theology. The university’s Faculty of Theology campus is in Ekwendeni, about 10 miles north of Mzuzu. Students can earn either a Diploma in Theology or a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology in preparation for ministry, or to further their academic studies. In addition to biblical studies, Tyler teaches theology as well as other courses. He also provides other support services for the university faculty and students.
Rochelle serves as the manager of the Centre of Excellence in Water and Sanitation and Smart Centre at Mzuzu University. The Centre, which partners with the Synod of Livingstonia’s Development Department, opened in 2009 and participates in research, training, and outreach programs. Mzuzu University also offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in water and sanitation, building local subject matter experts. The Centre also has an exciting and innovative focus on low-cost water and sanitation solutions appropriate for households to purchase as well as an emphasis on supporting local water and sanitation entrepreneurs.
Read: A mission for clean water: Couple raise awareness of work in Malawi—Norfolk Daily News
Country context
Malawi is a relatively small landlocked country in southeastern Africa. In Malawi unsafe drinking water is a severe and multifaceted problem. In addition, less than 1 percent of the population has access to a university education, one of the lowest rates in the world. Malawi has suffered from drought and floods as well as the spread of HIV/AIDS.
The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) has a long history with roots in the Church of Scotland, the Free Church of Scotland, and the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa. The Synod of Livingstonia, one of five synods of the CCAP, grew out of a mission station founded in 1875 and named in honor of David Livingstone, the famed Scottish Presbyterian missionary. The CCAP is one of the oldest and biggest churches in Malawi. The Synod of Livingstonia alone has over 200 congregations, more than 1,000 prayer houses, and about 200,000 adult members. This vibrant church has a great need of trained ministers. In 2003 a survey reported there was just one ordained minister for every 7,000 catechized members.
In spite of the many challenges and hardships Malawians face, the faith of people remains strong. In its ministry, CCAP Synod of Livingstonia not only reaches out to communities with spiritual care but is also involved in education, health care, HIV and AIDS, water and sanitation, food security, and civic education.
Since beginning its involvement in Malawi in the 1950s, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has sent many long-term and short-term mission personnel to serve in the country.
About Tyler and Rochelle Holm
Tyler and Rochelle have felt called to Malawi since their first visit in 2007. This experience led them to be called to serve more permanently and make Malawi their home in 2012 in partnership with Presbyterian World Mission, the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia, and Mzuzu University.
"It is important to us as we go into international service," says Rochelle, "to work in partnership with an established Christian organization like the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that is working locally, seeking to enable local capacity rather then continued dependence. Our skills, knowledge, education and experience are specialized to the water and sanitation sector and in teaching theology."
Tyler holds a Bachelor of Science degree in aviation from Central Washington University and an M.A. in Theology from Whitworth University. He is continuing his work towards a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, Calif. Rochelle holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Western Washington University as well as a master's degree and a Ph.D. in environmental science from Washington State University.
Tyler and Rochelle are members of West Side Church, Richland, Wash.
Tyler and Rochelle say a key Scripture that guides their life and informs their mission service of capacity building in community is Acts 6:1-4, "“Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.’”."
Birthdays:
Rochelle – April 4
Tyler – July 21
Mphatso-November 15
