An anonymous donor has given $1 million to the Presbyterian Mission Agency to advance its international mission work.

“I am overjoyed by this donor’s generosity and by the impact the gift will make around the world,” said Linda Valentine, executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. “We will be able to call more committed and talented mission co-workers who will work with our global partners toward addressing the root causes of poverty, sharing the good news of Christ’s love, and working for reconciliation among cultures of violence.  Our global partners continue to ask us to send more mission co-workers than we are able to send. This gift, along with those of other generous donors, enables the church to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ.”

The Rev. Hunter Farrell, director of Presbyterian World Mission, said he is “enormously grateful” for the gift. He noted that the gift will assist World Mission with three campaigns it launched earlier this year to guide the implementation of its three critical global initiatives.

World Mission’s focus is on educating 100,001 children around the world so that they will have a pathway out of poverty, training pastors for community transformation in order to reach more people with Christ’s good news, and striving to end violence against women and children to help this vulnerable population experience Christ’s reconciling love.

“We’re encouraged by the enthusiasm the three campaigns have generated across our church, and we are optimistic that many more Presbyterians will support them through prayer, financial gifts, and direct mission involvement,” Farrell said.

World Mission recently announced a matching gift challenge that will give donors the opportunity to double the impact of their gifts. A group of Presbyterians has pledged to match all gifts given for mission personnel support through Dec. 31, up to $53,500.

Gifts to the matching gift challenge can be made online or by calling 800-872-3283.