July 21, 2009
 
Dear Presbytery Friends,

As I collaborate with other presbyteries, serve on the steering committee of the Association of Executive Presbyters, and speak with Middle Governing Body staff in Louisville, I have become increasingly excited about worldwide mission conversations. Our presbytery has initiated many world-impact ministries and learning opportunities. Part of this excitement is the World Mission Challenge (WMC), an annual opportunity to connect each presbytery with a PCUSA funded missionary. Newark Presbytery has been selected as a host site for 2009 and I will be posting more information as it develops.

Our assigned missionary's name is Jeff Boyd who serves in Cameroon. He will be visiting us from October 9-16, 2009. Are you are interested in participating in the WMC Welcome Team that is forming? Additionally, would your church like to invite Jeff to an event during his stay? It's going to be a great opportunity to share our vision and ministry with Jeff, as well as learn about his.

Jeff recently wrote to me:

Greetings from Yaounde, Cameroon. I look forward to this opportunity to visit with the folks within The Presbytery of Newark. I find it a joy to share with others how I see God working through the people I meet throughout the Central Africa region in general, but particularly in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo. I also find it truly a blessing to see and hear how God is at work in our church home, the Presbyterian Church USA. I look forward to hearing about how your presbytery, and the congregations within it, sense God urging you into ministries.

If you want to know more, visit the Mission Connections website, and Jeff's link.

Newark Presbytery is being asked to:
- Arrange for hospitality during Jeff's stay, that is, meals and a place to sleep.
- Provide transportation from one engagement within the presbytery to another.
Pick up and drop off Jeff at the airport
- Arrange a full schedule. We hope that your speaker can reach as many people as possible with presentations to entire churches, but if that is not possible, it would be great for the speaker to meet with smaller groups as well. A few people sharing pizza at someone's home can make an unforgettable evening, with lots of chances for individual questions. Please remember that in offering missionaries a chance to tell stories from the mission field, you are providing a ministry of hospitality and welcome for them.

Since Jeff is already on salary as a PC(USA) mission co-worker, hosts are not expected to provide an honorarium.
 
Thank you for considering this unique opportunity to further Newark Presbytery's mission in the world in the name of Jesus Christ. Please let me know of your interest on being on the WMC Welcome Team, or if your church would like to have Jeff visit.

Blessings,
Kevin