The Presbytery of Central Washington
It originated as a simple idea that just might bring a few benefits to the presbytery. Elder Leon Swenson envisioned a way to capture in a five-minute video series why “Mission Matters” to the Presbytery of Central Washington. With financial support from the National Mission Partnership Funds and the presbytery, a series of five videos was produced.
“Mission Matters” to this presbytery in part because the Trail Seekers program, a mission of rescue for at-risk boys, continues to bring hope and possibilities for greater achievement to troubled boys. Each year forty second-grade boys are selected to form a loving relationship with a mentor that often lasts through high school. This past year two young boys experienced this in a powerful way. Just a few days before Christmas, the boys’ mother called Greg Nebeker, one of the directors of Trail Seekers, to ask if he would find someone to care for her two boys over Christmas. The mother had chosen to spend Christmas with her boyfriend, who was under court order not to be in the presence of children. So the brothers instead spent Christmas with a loving Trail Seeker family. Though this story could easily be about an unjust choice made by a mother or about a dysfunctional home, it is a story of God’s calling ambassadors of love to provide in this situation. “Mission Matters” to the Presbytery of Central Washington because Christ’s church is bringing transformation from hopelessness to a better life for young boys in Yakima and Kennewick.
Elder Swenson and his IHS production company produce stories of mission in ways that capture not just what is happening, but in complex word pictures suggest God’s mission is constantly calling all to be served and to be sent as ambassadors of Christ’s love and hope.
Central Washington’s 42 churches have 7,305 members. Ghormley Meadow, Tall Timber Ranch, and The Campbell Farm Conference Center are within its bounds.
Presbytery Staff
Deborah Dawson, administrative assistant
Kenneth A. Gasper, stated clerk
G. David Lambertson, presbytery executive
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Jason Click, FDN
Patrick Cole, GAC
Vennie Constant, GAC
Gracious and loving God, we give you thanks for the gift of leadership that you provide for your people. We ask that you will continue to impart vision to organizations like Trail Seekers that work on behalf of troubled children. May we all learn to walk humbly before you, being just toward others and loving in our relationship with all of your children.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Ps. 5, 145 Ps. 82, 29
Deut. 6:1–15
Heb. 1:1–14; John 1:1–18
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