Our Mission Statement
(November 1994)

The Presbytery of the Inland Northwest is called by God to joyfully love, serve, and proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord of all and Head of the Church.  We do this as a governing body of the Presbyterian Church (USA) under the authority of Scripture, the guidance of the Book of Confessions, and the direction of the Book of Order.  In an increasingly changing, alienated, and needy world, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be part of the Body of Christ and to assist in developing healthy congregations and ministries with healthy leaders to:

   1.  Proclaim the Gospel of jesus Christ for the salvation of all people,

   2.  Go and make mature disciples of Jesus Christ,

   3.  Demonstrate in the world the love and justice of Jesus Christ,

   4.  Develop and support ministry which can best be done at the Presbytery level; and

   5.  Develop, maintain and evaluate procedures necessary for Presbytery to engage in these tasks.

 
                                                    Our Presbytery Priorities
                                           (November 2003)
        
1.  Intentional Nurture of Healthy Congregations and Leaders
2.  Strategic Planning for Congregational Transformation
3.  Initiatives for New Church and House church Development

                                        Presbytery Mission Projects for 2010
The Presbytery of the Inland Northwest  supports many mission projects which include the following:

    Yukon and Alaska Presbyteries

         Our two northern most sister Presbyteries face financial challenges in carrying out mission in ministry in the state of Alaska.

    Camp Spalding

        2009 was 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 twocommissioned lay pastors and a temporary supply pastor.

   Latah Valley New Church Development

            Rev Scott Kinder-Pyle, Organizing Pastor, was called to Latah Valley New Church Development in 2006.  They have purchased land and are conducting a capital campaign.  Every Sunday at 10 a.m. the Pine House on the property at 202 E Meadow Lane Rd becomes for the pioneer members and curious friends of Latah Valley, a doorway through which we experience the love of God in Christ Jesus.  For more information, please visit their website http://www.latahvalley.org 

    Liberty Park Child Development Center

        This program supports low income families who do not qualify for state subsidized child care and would receive no other assistance without the Presbytery Mission Fund.  The center ministers to families of which 85% are at or below the Federal Poverty level. 

   Proclaim Liberty Board

          Proclaim Liberty is a low income housing project sponsored by the Presbytery of the Inland Northwewst in partnership with HUD.  For over 30 years Proclaim Liberty has provided affordable housing to low income residents in the Liberty Park neighborhood of east central Spokane.  The Liberty Park Child Development Center is located in the Proclaim Liberty complex.  Together these two projects have assisted numerous families with affordable housing and education for pre school children.     

    Rural Ministry Resources

        Rural Ministry Resources reaches out to smaller churches with guidance by doing workshops and seminars.

    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.

    Kamiah Community Presbyterian Church
        This church is struggling to meet basic monthly expenses and is needing on-going assistance.  They are looking for ways to become more actively involved in local church mission to meet the needs of people and families in the community.

    Kooskia First Presbyterian Church
        Although this church has grown in the past years, it is still farr from being able to support a pastors salary on their own.  It will be celebrating its centennial in 2008.  

      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.  

       Clarkston Church - The Learning Club
        TLC provides a nurturing, loving after school experience for at-risk children in a local elementary school.
    

    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.