A letter from Gary Payton in Russia and the United States
December 11, 2009
Dear Friends in Christ,
Advent, Christmas, Epiphany—such a wonderful time of waiting, anticipating, expecting! Even as the wonderful story of Jesus’ birth is told and retold, I am drawn to the text of the prophet Isaiah. The Message Bible captures the spirit in modern language, “Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?” (Isaiah 43: 19).
Across the former Soviet Union, churches are still being restored 18 years after the end of communism.
As I participate in God’s mission in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Poland, I am thrilled to ponder the “something brand-new” that may burst out in 2010. Which Presbyterian congregations will enter into new twinning relationships with churches in Russia and Belarus? How will our education ministries adapt to new challenges in Russia today? Who will God call to serve as the next pastor of the Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy for the years ahead? How will the new Orthodox, Baptist, and Lutheran leadership engage with other expressions of the Christian tradition? Where will God lead us in coming alongside Roma in Ukraine and Russia or native peoples in Siberia? How will our relationships be deepened with the Reformed churches in Poland and Carpath-Ukraine?
The start of a new church year is a time of expectation and excitement. And looking ahead to 2010 prompts a look back at the year just finished.
I remain ever thankful that our Orthodox, Baptist, Lutheran, and Reformed partners in these four countries have invited us Presbyterians to journey with them as they renew their part of Christ’s church in the post-communist era
I cherish relationships with my mission colleagues who live in Russia and Poland: the Smiths, the Bronkemas, the Kangs, the Mollers, and the Searles. These faithful servants are my family outside the borders of the United States. I have shared with them the joys, challenges, and pain of this year.
I am ever changed by my two trips across the vastness of Siberia in 2009. My perspectives on ministry expanded in previously unknown ways after spending time in Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, and Ulan Ude.
I am grateful for the wonderful evolution of our Russian mission network. Our fifth annual gathering in Raleigh, North Carolina, this year demonstrated new ways in which connections with partner churches and with each other can be deepened.
Mission Challenge sent 46 mission workers to 152 presbyteries. My visit to 22 churches in September and October was a highlight of 2009!
And how can I sum up Mission Challenge and Mission Celebration 2009, which gave me the opportunity to share our World Mission story and my mission story with folks from 22 congregations in 6 presbyteries in 3 states? Exhilarating, renewing … and exhausting! My travels to meet with Presbyterians in Washington, Idaho, and Ohio were indeed a highlight of my year.
In Mission Challenge, the director of Presbyterian World Mission, Hunter Farrell, reminded us of our nearly 200 years of “mission in partnership,” partnership dedicated to sharing the gospel and growing Christ’s church. Linda Valentine, executive director of the General Assembly Mission Council, said, “It takes the whole church to reach the whole world.” And she challenged every congregation to get to know a mission worker, pray for them, communicate with them, and support them financially.
May I look to you for support in the year ahead? My hardcopy newsletter is received by over 300 folks around the United States. My e-newsletter is read online by hundreds more.
In these troubled economic times, may I ask you to assist my ministry with a gift of $10?
My travel expenses, lodging, meals and administrative costs are covered almost exclusively by gifts from you who receive my newsletters. Each contribution goes to purchase a part of an airline ticket, a ride on the night train from Moscow to St. Petersburg, a bus ticket from Warsaw to Lodz, cell phones minutes in Russia to connect with partners and colleagues, metro tickets, etc. Would you please join me as we move into mission and ministry together in the year ahead?
If you or your congregation can offer support, the addresses are listed below. Write “Regional Liaison for Russia/ECO #051663” both on the subject line of the check and on your cover letter or note.
Contributions from individuals may be sent to:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
Contributions from congregations may be sent to their normal receiving site or to the same address above. To give online, give using ECO # E051663.
It is a joy to serve the Lord, our faithful partners, and all those across our churches in the United States who are called to come alongside brothers and sisters in Christ in faraway lands.
Thank you for your prayers and for your steadfast support. And may the Lord richly bless you and yours in 2010!
Yours in Christ,
Gary
The 2009 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.177
