Introduction

The Global and National Ministries committee (GNMC) seeks to witness to the presence of our God in Jesus Christ within our global context. We coordinate mission trips, educate the congregation about global and national ministries and administer mission funds.

The committee oversees the congregation’s general mission pledge at the national, synod and presbytery levels.  GMNC also provides direct support to 3 global mission partners and their ministries: Dr. Michael and Nancy Haninger in the Congo, the Joining Hands Against Hunger Network in Peru and Boonsong Dangruan in Thailand.  We seek to support our mission partners through prayer, advocacy, financial support, and hands-on investment of our time and gifts.   

We also provide financial support to our Presbyterian (USA) seminaries and seminarians.  

Mike and Nancy Haninger's 2008 Project Reports

Alternative Valentine Mission Fair

An annual event at BSPC, the Alternative Valentine Mission Fair brings awareness to the larger congregation about the ministries and needs of our mission partners as well as other ministries around the world.  In 2007, we raised $14,206.50 that directly supported our mission efforts worldwide, such as providing mosquito nets and shallow wells in Africa, providing funding for many vaginal vestico fistula surgeries, etc.  None of this money stays in house for the support of the church but passes from the hands of those who give directly to projects designated by the contributor.  

 

Fair Trade - Goods

Sprouting from souvenirs of visits to Peru Partners for Just Trade (PJT), has blossomed, selling Peruvian Fair Trade handcrafts and producing educational materials on Fair Trade. Presbyterian Hunger Program's Joining Hands Network has facilitated the growth of over 20 artisan groups including over 230 artisans. Fair wages provide food, shelter, and medicine for families, and educate children, while helping artisans reclaim and assert economic, political, and social rights. PJT now provides an outlet for their goods.

 

 

Fair Trade - Coffee Chocolate, Fruit, Nuts

BSPC has switched ALL of its coffee to fair trade, because we believe it serves the world, as well as us, in many ways. It has been a great success. We are enjoying coffee that we know is helping coffee farmers around the world receive better wages, gain safe working conditions and, in addition, helping the environment. 

We are also selling the coffee, tea, cocoa and chocolate to the congregation to subsidize the cost increase that was incurred because of this transition to free trade coffee.

The church is using any additional profits to help women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Malawi receive fistula surgeries.  The surgeries are easily accessible but need to be funded.  Please continue to help these women by buying fair trade items sold on the first and third Sundays of every month.  If you are interested in helping our efforts, feel free to contact the church office.  Click here for the fairly traded products listing.

Mission Trips

The GNMC is committed to providing members of the congregation with the opportunity to experience the mission of the church through a variety of mission trips.  Each year, the GNMC plans two mission trips. We have been to Peru every two years since 1999, taking as many as 30 members to be in partnership with our brothers and sisters in Peru.  We also plan national trips which vary from year to year.

2008 Mission Trips

West Virginia intergenerational mission trip - June 21-28, 2008 - for  information about the program  click here.

For questions  on our 2008 mission trips please contact Rev. Jessie Commeret (jcommeret@bspc.org, 221-6552) or Barb Blanke (bblanke@bspc.org, 221-6552).

Past Mission Trips

New Orleans- 2007 - Thirty-five children and adults traveled to New Orleans in June 2007 to help with home rebuilding.

New Orleans- 2007 - Four Young adults traveled to New Orleans in March 2006 to help with home rebuilding.

Neon, Kentucky- 2006 - We  sent 28 youth and adults on a work trip to Neon, Kentucky to help provide homes for the Appalachian working poor by assisting in house  construction at H.O.M.E.S., Inc. 

Huancavelica, Peru- 2006 - In the summer of 2006,  14 youth and adults traveled  into the Andes Mountains to Huancavelica, Peru to finish building the bilingual school library we started in 2004 and to continue our deep 8 year relationships with fellow brothers and sisters in Peru.

La Oroya, Peru- 2005 - Four adults traveled to La Oroya, Peru to be international health monitors for an arsenic and lead-testing study carried out by St. Louis University.  Click here for more information from La Oroya.

Personal Outreach Opportunities

In addition to participating in group BSPC Mission Trips, some members act to connect with other organizations. 

• Medical Benevolence Foundation

• Marion Medical Mission