A letter from Gary Payton, regional liaison for Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Armenia, and Poland
April 12, 2013
Dear Friends in Christ,
Let me sum it all up in a word (or a few words)! Spasibo, Koszi, Merci, Dziekuje, Thank you!
Whether in Russian, Hungarian, colloquial Armenian, Polish, or English, I thank the Lord, our church partners, and all those who have offered prayers and gifts of support for 14 years of extraordinary opportunity to serve as a Presbyterian mission coworker!
In a March trip to Moscow and St. Petersburg, Gary Payton handed off responsibilities to Ellen Smith, newly called Regional Liaison
Yes, my official service with Presbyterian World Mission concluded on March 31 with my formal retirement. Future visits with friends in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Armenia, or Poland will be in a private capacity. But, oh, what a foundation those future visits will be built upon.
- Experiencing the privilege of “coming alongside” churches as they renewed themselves year by year from the oppression and persecution by former communist governments. Whether Orthodox, Baptist, Lutheran, Reformed, or Presbyterian, the steady steps of renewal have been a blessing to behold—churches refurbished or newly constructed; social ministry programs advanced with orphans, the infirm, addicts, the elderly, or young people; and, barriers of suspicion and mistrust broken down between people once on opposite sides of an East-West divide.
- Partnering with the Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy to bring meaningful worship and dramatic outreach to persons in a capital of over 12 million. Diplomats, people in business, students, immigrants—all connected by the English language and their own faith journeys. Ministries in soup kitchens, a medical clinic and food bank, and a Racial Task Force dedicated to reducing racist attacks and harassment.
- Assisting in small ways the evangelists spreading the Good News to native peoples in Siberia or the Russian Far East, many moving from a shamanist tradition, or to Roma in Russia or Ukraine, the most marginalized persons in all of Europe.
- Knowing the vibrancy of our Presbyterian Russia Mission Network, which linked representatives of congregations from both sides of the Atlantic seeking ways to deepen their partnerships and their spiritual journeys together.
My time as Regional Liaison is now past. And, I am delighted to share that Ellen Smith, veteran mission co-worker, has been called as our new Regional Liaison for Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Many of you know Ellen for her ministry with congregational partnerships or “twinning” across the past decade. She will do a stellar job in her expanded call as Regional Liaison.
In this last official newsletter I would like to offer four special “thank you” messages.
Ministry across 14 years was made deep and rich by my friendship and service with fellow Presbyterian World Mission mission co-workers and staff. My most sincere thanks to Garth Moller, Donald and Laurie Marsden, Peter and Merian Kim, Joe and Hannah Kang, Ellen and Al Smith, Jeff Koning, Jin Eun Kim, Bob and Stacy Bronkema, Liz and Doug Searles, and Burkhard Paetzold. And, our Europe Office coordinators in Louisville have been exceptional colleagues in ministry: Duncan Hanson, Victor Makari, John Chapman, and Amgad Beblawi.
My warm thanks to the many congregations, organizations, and individuals who supported my ministry with prayer and financial gifts. From Washington State to Georgia, from Michigan to Texas, from some of our largest churches to a small gathering of faithful Presbyterian Women, I thank you. You lifted me up, you helped purchase airplane tickets for 25 trips, and you called me your “missionary.” For that, I am truly grateful.
To the leaders of churches and to folks in the congregations of five former communist states, thank you for opening your homes, for sharing your food, for sharing your stories and your faith, and for receiving me as your brother. Journeying with you has been a highlight of my life.
And, to the leading of the Holy Spirit, I prayerfully offer my thanks. You helped transform me, a former U.S. Air Force officer who only knew “them” as a potential enemy, into a person who has seen your power and come to know “them” as my friends and my brothers and sisters in Christ.
If I may, I have one final request. Please consider continuing to support our Presbyterian mission in partnership by prayers and support for Ellen Smith and her regional liaison ministry. It is not about the person, Ellen or me. It is about the ministry of coming alongside those who continue to renew their churches and their faith after decades of repression.
If you or your congregation can continue this support, here’s how. Write “Regional Liaison for Eastern Europe and Central Asia/ECO #E052135” on the subject line of the check and your cover letter or note. Contributions may be sent to:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
Or you may make an online donation here.
Contributions from congregations may be sent to their normal receiving site or to the same address above.
What a wonderful journey of faith! I hope we may remain in touch. Goodbye for now, and
May the Peace of Christ be with you,
Gary
The 2013 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 290
Read more about Gary Payton's ministry
