Our Mission Statement
(September 2011)
God's mission in the world calls the Presbytery of the Inland Northwest to unleash, empower and equip local congregations as living witnesses to the Spirit's work in Jesus Christ.
Presbytery Mission Projects for 2012
The Presbytery of the Inland Northwest supports many mission projects which include the following:
Camp Spalding
2011 was one of the biggest year ever for attendance at summer camps. This ministry is reaching out to many youth and bringing them to Christ. http://www.campspalding.org/
Nez Perce Joint Session ministry
Mission funds are essential to the four Nez Perce Presbyterian Churches to be able to transition toward self support. These funds allow them to employ two commissioned ruling elders and a retired pastor.
Latah Valley New Church Development
As a yong and growing congregation they are grateful for the support they receive. Every Sunday at 10 a.m. at 202 E Meadow Lane Rd between 35 and 50 worshippers attend church and sunday school. For more information, please visit their website http://www.latahvalley.org
Bovill Community Presbyterian Church
Bovill Church is located in a small economically depressed area where the needs are great. It is a church in mission as well as a mission receiving church. Funds from Presbytery enable them to do more in local mission.
Faith Partners
This is a committee through the YWCA/Alternatives to Domestic Violence Program. They work in partnership with other denominations and faiths as well as agencies providing services to victims of family violence.
Republic First Presbyterian Church
These funds help support the pastor compensation during a period of redevelopment.
Washtucna Community Presbyterian Church
This allows the church to have a pastor present in two towns in a wide agricultural area where there is no other ministerial presence.
Guatemala K'ekchi Partnership
~ Background ~
The K’ekchi are the third largest of 21 indigenous language groups descended from the ancient Maya civilization. They are the poorest and most discriminated against among the peoples of Guatemala. Their lands were taken, villages destroyed, and many were killed (or “disappeared”) during the 36 years of civil war that ended with the Peace Accords of 1996.
During this tragic period, the Presbyterian Church of Guatemala began a mission to the K’ekchi. Many heard of God’s love for them and accepted Christ as Savior. New K’ekchi churches were planted and the first small presbytery began in 1975. By 1998, the explosion in evangelism resulted in five presbyteries among the scattered groups of K’ekchi.
~ The Partnership ~
The five K'ekchi Presbyeries, the association of Presbyteries Maya K'ekchi (APMK), and the Presbytery of the Inland Northwest (PIN) began negotiations to become "partners" through our national churches. Our presbytery and the APMK drew up the partnership covenant during our first delegation to Guatemala in June 1999. PIN approved it and it was signed and approved by the APMK during our second delegation in January 2000. The partnership covenant includes mutual support, prayer, sharing and visiting.
The partnership is implemented for the PIN through the Guatemala Task Force, which meets each month. This Task Force, in consultation with the Church in Guatemala, arranges dates for delegations and maintains contact with the K’ekchi. It seeks out, funds, and monitors specific mission commitments. The Task Force also selects, trains and leads delegations to and in Guatemala. They promote mission funding through “Dimes for Hunger” and church contributions and advertise our mission by making reports to churches and providing special events such as the “Fiesta de Guatemala.”
~ The Partnership’s Blessings ~
The partnership testifies that our oneness in Jesus Christ bridges great differences: our wealth, power, abundant food, water, education, and health care contrast poverty, impotence, lack of food, untreated water, illiteracy/education, and poor health care. Even though most of us do not speak K’ekchi or Spanish and most of the K’ekchi do not speak English, we worship God together and share the common presence of the Holy Spirit.
The K’ekchi inspire us by their spiritual growth in the midst of poverty. They challenge us by their zealous evangelism. In 1998 the APMK numbered a total of 38 churches. Four years later in 2002 they totaled 75 churches. We encourage them with our visits, showing we care and respect them. Our gifts support the APMK primary schools, and provide phones, computers, Bibles, school supplies and more. You can share more fully in these blessings by participating in a delegation to the K’ekchi or by joining the Task Force in its work.
For more information, contact the Presbytery office (509) 924-4148.