CPC 1998 Annual Report:
Missions

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The #1 Core Value at Central Presbyterian Church is "A Personal Relationship with Jesus as Savior, Lord and God." And considering that this is the purpose for which we were created, and the reason Christ came to earth, it is not too much to say that this is also one of God's Core Values. It is also the only reason that Central has a strong emphasis on Missions, both locally and around the world.

As a church, we are committed to God's priority of giving every man, woman and child on this planet the opportunity to hear about, and respond to, the offer of salvation in Jesus Christ. This commitment drives Missions at Central. This is not to say that we do not care for the whole person and their environment. An integral part of the gospel includes working for relief, peace and justice in the world. But these qualities are ultimately short-term, whereas the question of salvation in Christ has eternal consequences.

To that end, we supported a number of new ministries in 1998:

Grace Shen and Maggie Cho went to East Asia to share the love of Christ with University students. Although they went to different areas with different organizations, both of these young single women committed at least a year to making an impact for Christ among those who have never heard. And because of their faithfulness, God's family added several new members in 1998!

Eric and Lauren Huber, Baltimore natives, went to Ukraine with their four children to help train leaders and establish new churches in the Kiev area. The former Soviet Union continues to be a strategic field for the expansion of the church, and the Hubers have a deep desire to facilitate that growth.

The Rural Presbyterian Church of India is an indigenous people movement that is bringing thousands to Christ every month. We gave seed money to help establish new churches to reach out to the Untouchable caste in India. These are people that are seen as having the least value of all people in Indian society, and they are discovering their true value for the first time in Jesus Christ.

Ministry to Mainland China operates two seminaries that train pastors for the growing church movement in Mainland China. Our Christian brothers and sisters in China, even in the midst of persecution, continue to spread the gospel and plant new churches. That creates a tremendous need for pastors and leaders so that the growth does not stop for lack of a solid foundation.

Chris and Kay Smoes are preparing for mission work with Wycliffe Bible Translators. Married this May, Chris is finishing his training as a Bible translator, and Kay has completed hers as a literacy specialist to teach the people to read the Scriptures once they are translated. As members of Central, they have a "Community of Care" of other Central members who are helping them along the path leading to their overseas ministry.

Finally, although not a new ministry, we were privileged to have Larry and Stephanie K. with us August-December of this year, during their furlough. They were a blessing to our church family in countless ways as they ministered among individuals, families, small groups, fellowships and Adult Sunday School Classes, and during the Fall Missions Celebration.

Of course, we continued in 1998 to support many ongoing ministries and missionaries in Baltimore, around the USA, and internationally. We continued to pray for and support ministries among the (deleted-group-name), our adopted Unreached People Group. And we continued to help Central as a congregation understand our calling to "go and make disciples of all nations". (Matthew 28:19)