Minute for Mission: Presbyterian Heritage Sunday

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John Witherspoon Portrait (provided)

The Rev. John Witherspoon was many things: the only active clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence, the leading Presbyterian of the Revolutionary era, a Scottish immigrant, president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), an active politician and a slaveholder.

Witherspoon was born in Scotland in 1723. He attended the University of Edinburgh and then served two parishes as a Church of Scotland minister. He was 45 years old, a husband and father, when two Americans — Benjamin Rush and Richard Stockton — persuaded him to emigrate to America in 1768 to head the College of New Jersey. 

By most accounts, Witherspoon was an excellent choice for the College. He built a reputation as a dynamic preacher, an engaged teacher, and a colonial leader — not just in Presbyterian, religious and educational circles but increasingly in politics as well. 

In May 1776, two months before he began serving in the Second Continental Congress, Witherspoon preached a sermon titled “The Dominion of Providence Over the Passions of Men.” This sermon became one of the most well-known and influential sermons of the Revolution. Witherspoon made a strong case that God sided with the patriots because their cause was just.

Like many Founding Fathers, Witherspoon was an enslaver. It is not clear when he acquired the two enslaved people listed in his estate at the time of his death, and little is known about them. Their names are lost to history, at least for now, and Witherspoon never wrote about them in any of his surviving correspondence. Witherspoon did not believe, as some did, that enslavement was a benevolent practice supported by the Bible. He thought slavery would disappear in the United States within a generation. But he never called for abolition. His view of slavery prevailed in the newly organized Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. — just as it did in the national government.

McKenna Britton, Communications, Presbyterian Historical Society, Presbyterian Life & Witness

Let us join in prayer for:

Andy Keeney, Information Security Officer, Information Systems, The Presbyterian Foundation
Stephen Keizer, Vice President Ministry Relations, Development Office, The Presbyterian Foundation  

Let us pray:

Gracious and loving God, guide us as we strive to see and honor the full scope of past experiences. Open our minds and hearts to recognize the complexity of history and to feel compassion for human beings who lived in the past. We pray for your guidance today and into a future that often seems disconnected from Christ’s call. Help us to find the way. Amen.

Mission Yearbook: Students, church leaders and alumni gather to celebrate 25 years of UKirk Tallahassee

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“When I visited this UKirk, I sensed something,” the Rev. Dr. Matt Frease, executive director of UKirk Tallahassee, said during its 75th anniversary celebration last fall. “I was seeing the good work that had taken place here.”

Frease reflected on how the ministry has navigated significant moments throughout its history, following the Gospel’s call to justice. Westminster House took stands on integration and the civil rights movement, reproductive rights and peace during the Vietnam War. A generation later, students led the ministry to publicly identify as an inclusive and affirming campus ministry for LGBTQIA+ people.

Students, alumni and church leaders gathered at Westminster House, on the campus of Florida State University, to celebrate 75 years of continuous Presbyterian campus ministry. The event brought together generations of students whose lives have been shaped by a ministry known for welcome and spiritual formation since 1950.

Ruling Elder Mary Hodges, moderator of the Presbytery of Florida, opened the evening with a prayer. Valerie Young, synod executive and stated clerk for the Synod of South Atlantic, sent video remarks. The Rev. Cece Armstrong, Co-Moderator of the 226th General Assembly (2024) of the PC(USA), attended and spoke about the unique role of UKirk ministries on college campuses.

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The Rev. Cece Armstrong (Contributed photo)

The Rev. Dr. Gini Norris-Lane, executive director of UKirk Collegiate Ministries’ national office, also participated, emphasizing the significance of UKirk Tallahassee within the broader network of Presbyterian campus ministries. According to Norris-Lane, UKirks around the nation are celebrating nearly a century of ministry. UKirk at the University of Georgia celebrated 85 and Koinonia Center at the University of Oregon turns 100 in a few weeks.

“I have been reflecting on the Presbyterians 75, 85, 100 years ago who invested in ministry to and with college students,” said Norris-Lane. “They not only were committed to walking alongside their Presbyterian youth who were going to college but were also inspired to create ministries where non-Presbyterian students could explore the Christian faith and find a spiritual home.”

Norris-Lane noted how those who invest their time and treasure in sustaining UKirks help generations of college students learn to be servant leaders at a formative time in their lives, which strengthens the fabric of the PC(USA). She asked the audience, “How do we revive that same spirit of investing in the next generation of leaders for the church and the world?”

“A donation to campus ministry not only helps for a semester or a year; it is an actual investment in the kind of future we hope for,” said Norris-Lane.

Frease shared a brief history of the ministry, beginning with Dr. Miriam Wilson, who rallied Presbyterian Women across Florida to raise funds for a dedicated campus ministry space. In 1950, the Synod of Florida built Westminster House for $90,000, establishing what would become a transformative presence in the lives of countless students.

One of UKirk Tallahassee’s most visible expressions of ministry began 16 years ago with Calvin’s Coffee House, which operates on a pay-what-you-can model. Calvin’s reflects the ministry’s values of hospitality and inclusion, offering a safe, creative place for the Florida State campus and Tallahassee communities. All are welcome to be who God created them to be and can build community, study, and showcase their artistic talents through open mic nights, art installations, jazz performances and longer-form shows.

“The ministry is one of two outwardly affirming campus ministries at FSU, and Calvin’s is a known safe space in the area,” Frease said. “It is also a space known for artistic expression and a community-forming environment.”

Current student and resident Rowan Rey Miller shared how UKirk has provided a sense of belonging that can be hard to find on a large campus.

“Being a freshman is lonely,” Miller said. “I found friends. I found a family. I found a place to live, and most importantly, I found a place to spread my wings both personally and spiritually.”

Miller said UKirk offers a space where doubts and questions are welcomed. “It didn’t feel like ‘we’ve got you in our claws, and we won’t let go,’” Miller said. Instead, it felt like, “we want you to come be our friend. How can we help you, wherever you are in life and faith today?”

Beth Waltemath, Communications Strategist, Presbyterian Life & Witness (Click here to read original PNS Story)

Let us join in prayer for:

Bequi Jump, Translator, Global Language Resources, Administrative Services Group
Kevin Keaton, Engagement & Church Relations, Church Consultant, Houston, TX, The Board of Pension

Let us pray:

God of all our lives, inspire us by your Spirit to grow in mission and understanding as we work as partners with brothers and sisters to bring your compassion, vision and shalom to those places in your world where the need is great. In your name we pray. Amen.

Mission Yearbook: Ministers benefit from CREDO

The "Fantastic 5" are, from left, Rebecca Chancellor Sicks, Jennifer Barchi, Mark Allio,
Lissa Long and Matt Baker (Contributed photo).

When the Rev. Sharon Youngs worked in Louisville for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), she used her vacation time to serve on CREDO faculty. And when she left Louisville for Tennessee to pastor Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church, she built CREDO time into her terms of call. “It was the best continuing education,” she said. “Still is.”

Youngs was invited to join the CREDO faculty soon after the Board of Pensions of the PC(USA) piloted the weeklong program in November 2005. CREDO faculty, who act as an extension of Board staff, are selected for their expertise in an area of wholeness: spiritual, health (physical and emotional), financial and vocational.

“I did not know a lot about the program,” Youngs said of that long-ago invitation. Still, “the concept of clergy able to take a deeper dive than a weekend … seemed to be something different and new,” she said.

“The Board is firmly committed to CREDO as an important support for individual ministers and, by extension, congregations,” said the Rev. Lori Neff LaRue, vice president of Education for the Board of Pensions. “As we enter the program’s third decade, with the demands of ministry increasing, we plan to expand that commitment across the arc of ministry.”

By 2027, Neff LaRue expects to offer ministers three CREDO conferences seven to 10 years apart — seamless support across the span of their career. This CREDO expansion would be built on the conferences of today: recently ordained, mid career and late career.

“These would be the three bridges,” said the Rev. Dr. Michael Wilson, director of Education for the Arc of Ministry. “And between the three CREDO conferences, we’ll provide other education offerings to support ministers.”

The Episcopal Church founded CREDO three decades ago. Ten years later, the Board of Pensions licensed the program, opening a unique opportunity for PC(USA) ministers to cultivate wholeness. Today, the Board has presented more than 170 CREDO gatherings, totaling about 3,500 participants.

Guided by a team of experienced faculty in an intimate setting, up to 30 participants spend a week together, sharing knowledge, experience, and compassion, and reflecting prayerfully on wholeness. Recent CREDO gatherings have taken place at the Presbyterian Ferncliff Camp & Conference Center in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Neff LaRue said the Board of Pensions has gone from being dependent on the Episcopalians to being an equal partner in the program and a meaningful contributor to CREDO curriculum, which has been tailored for Presbyterians.

Originally, Presbyterian CREDO served only ministers at the midpoint of their careers who were enrolled in the comprehensive benefits package required for installed pastors. In 2014, the program expanded to include a conference for recently ordained ministers, with two weeklong gatherings, a year apart. And in 2018, a conference was added for late-career ministers. Last year, eligibility for the CREDO program was extended to any minister enrolled in the Medical Plan and/or Defined Benefit Pension Plan.

Designated CREDOs, based on participant demographics and vocational characteristics, began in 2019 with an African American CREDO. “The lived realities of CREDO participants vary greatly,” Neff LaRue said. In 2023, the Board provided CREDO for Korean ministers, and a second African American CREDO was held last November.

Today, CREDO faculty see increased anxiety and fatigue. Even among the newly ordained groups, there are concerns over “where is the Church going, the country, the world?” Youngs said. “Being with colleagues, making new friends — that helps ease their isolation.”

For decades, the Board of Pensions has heard from ministers that CREDO is a transformative experience. Participants often ask to be able to attend more than one conference across their entire career. 

 “This work of heart, mind, body, and spirit is important, sacred work that has sustained countless ministries,” Neff LaRue said. “We recognize that the need for this kind of support is more important than ever before, and at every stage of a minister’s career. We are firmly committed to meeting this need.”

The Board of Pensions supports wholeness in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) community and care for Benefits Plan members. For information, contact info@pensions.org. (Click here to read original PNS Story)

Let us join in prayer for:

Sandy Johnson, Financial/Budget Analyst, Budgets and Forecasting, Administrative Services Group
Debra Jones, Legal Assistant, Risk Management, Administrative Services Group

Let us pray:

O God, we thank you for the gift of breath that begins each story that we tell, and for inviting us into the living story that begins in Scripture and continues in the community of faith. Bless us with the skill and courage to tell and live out your good story in a world of need. In the name of the Great Storyteller, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Mission Yearbook: Serving with Compassion - Supporting St. John’s Church in Newark

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Mission Committee Members with Clothing and Coffee
Donations for St. John's Church in Newark, NJ - (Photo by Amelia Abrams)

Faith at the First Presbyterian Church of Rutherford transcends church walls, reaching into the lives of those most in need. We've lived out this calling through our ongoing support of St. John's Church in Newark, which provides meals and care for unhoused men in the community.

Newark faces significant challenges: a poverty rate of over 25% and a growing number of individuals experiencing housing insecurity. For men without stable housing, winter months are brutal. St. John’s Church offers care, support, and connection to men facing harsh conditions and limited resources.

Recognizing the urgent need for winter clothing, the Mission Committee at First Presbyterian Church of Rutherford swiftly organized a collection drive to support this vital ministry. Congregation members donated coats, jackets, hats, gloves, and other essentials to provide warmth and comfort during the coldest months.

In addition to donations, we purchased new sweatshirts and sweatpants to ensure the men receiving these items had warm, practical clothing they could rely on. These simple gifts reminded them they're not forgotten and that the wider faith community cares deeply about their wellbeing. Our community came together to contribute items and support the effort. What began as a simple clothing collection became a powerful expression of compassion and solidarity with our neighbors in need.

Through this partnership with St. John’s Church, we were reminded that ministry begins with recognizing needs and responding faithfully. Providing warm clothing may seem like a small act, but for someone facing the cold without adequate protection, it can make a significant difference.

As I reflect on this effort, it holds special significance for me, marking my final project as Mission Committee chair after several years of dedicated leadership. It’s been a privilege to work alongside generous and compassionate members of our congregation who continually seek ways to serve others.

By working together with ministries like St. John’s Church in Newark, we’re reminded that even simple acts of kindness can bring warmth, dignity and hope to those who need it most.

Amelia Abrams, St John’s Church, Newark, New Jersey

Let us join in prayer for:

Todd Ingves, Vice President, Health & Wellbeing, Benefits, The Board of Pensions
Daniel Johnson, Engineer, Building Services, Administrative Services Group

Let us pray:

Gracious and loving God,  you call us to see your face in every neighbor, especially those who are cold, hungry and without shelter. We give you thanks for the ministry of St. John’s Church in Newark and for all who serve the men in their community with compassion and dignity. Bless the coats, jackets, sweatshirts and warm clothing that were shared through this effort. May they not only provide warmth against the winter cold but also be a reminder to each person who receives them that they are seen, valued and loved. Strengthen the work of all who care for the unhoused. Give wisdom, endurance and hope to those who serve on the front lines of compassion. Lord, open our hearts so that we never grow indifferent to the needs around us. Continue to guide our congregation to be your hands and feet in the world, responding with generosity, kindness and courage. We thank you for the opportunity to serve together and for the many ways your love moves through our community. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Mission Yearbook: Pennsylvania dinner church and NWC invites all to Our Table

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Kristin Kondratowski (Contributed photo)

When Kristin Kondratowski first stepped into the vacant Wiley’s Pharmacy building in Strasburg, Pennsylvania, she wasn’t expecting to cry. But as she toured the space with a realtor, she discovered something extraordinary: a drive-thru window and a full-sized, accessible shower. “I just stood there with tears streaming down my face,” she said. “This is it. This is where we can serve people who live in their cars, who need a place to shower, who need dignity.”

That moment marked a turning point for Our Table, a rapidly growing dinner church and new worshiping community in Strasburg. Founded by Kristin and her husband, Walter Kondratowski, Our Table began with a simple but powerful vision: to feed people — physically and spiritually — in a community where poverty is often hidden behind the idyllic backdrop of farmland and good public schools.

Walter, who at the time was on staff at First Presbyterian Church of Strasburg as well as another church in the area, felt called to plant a church after attending a post-pandemic church planting conference. “During Covid, we were boots on the ground, meeting tangible needs,” he said. “I wanted to bring that back — to create a space where people could eat, worship and be known.”

Kristin joined Walter in the creating a community with a bold mission statement: “We Feed Hungry People.” With support from the church’s pastor, the Rev. Robert Bronkema, they launched Our Table in the church’s fellowship hall on Black Friday 2022. Our Table quickly grew, serving 80–93 people weekly with a communal meal, Bible study, prayer and worship. Kristin described the accessible approach to communal gatherings and the all-volunteer leadership model that includes their teenage daughters and other families by saying, “Everyone gets to play, and nobody gets paid.”

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New space has accessible bathrooms plus a shower for members with mobility issues. (Contributed photos)

But the growth came with challenges. The fellowship hall was reaching capacity, and the shared 10-by-10-foot storage closet was no longer sufficient. Accessibility issues also became apparent, especially for attendees with mobility needs, because Our Table serves an aging population as well as staff who work in homes for adults with disabilities. On  Thanksgiving 2024, “a man in a full-sized wheelchair had to be wheeled to another wing of the building to use the restroom,” Kristin recalled. “His staff had to roll him down the hallway multiple times. That broke my heart.”

The Kondratowskis began searching for a permanent home and found it in the historic Wiley’s Pharmacy building at 300 Historic Drive. Centrally located and well-known in the community, the space offers not only accessibility but also the potential for expanded ministry — including showers, laundry and eventually a kitchen.

Their vision received a major boost last fall when Our Table was awarded a $50,000 Walton Grant from the 1001 New Worshiping Communities initiative of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The grant, recommended by the Mission Development Resources Committee, supports NWCs that creatively bring the gospel to their communities. For Our Table, the funds will help secure the lease and begin renovations for a kitchen. 

Walter is currently under care as an inquirer at the Presbytery of Donegal. He also serves as a ministry coach through Ad Lib Music, a company that equips churches with interim worship directors while they are looking to hire a permanent worship director. He currently serves as interim worship director for Cocalico Community Church in Reinholds, Pennsylvania, while Kristin now serves as the youth director at First Presbyterian of Strasburg.

As the Kondratowskis balance multiple ministry jobs and parenting four kids at home, the couple is taking turns meeting the ordination standards of the PC(USA). When Walter finishes seminary, it’s Kristin’s turn. 

Looking ahead, Walter hopes to empower more leaders to take ownership of the ministry and possibly expand to other underserved areas. “We planted a church in the margins of our lives,” he said. “Now we want others to step into leadership and see God work.”

Kristin added, “We want everyone to have a seat at our table — no matter their age, ability or circumstance.”

To learn more, visit Our Table’s website.

Beth Waltemath, Communications Strategist, Presbyterian Life & Witness (Click here to read original PNS Story)

Let us join in prayer for:

Emily Hord, Assistant General Counsel, Legal & Risk Management, Administrative Services Group
Demetria Hurnton , Administrator, Benefits, The Board of Pensions

Let us pray:

Loving God, as we seek to serve you wherever we are planted, we ask you to help us bear fruit, to proclaim your good news and to share your love with others. Bless us, we pray, as we seek to be faithful in word and deed. Amen.

World Evangelical Alliance - Join us for GO Day

GO Day is a valued partner of the WEA. Join Us for GO Day Share Jesus with One Person We’d love to invite you and your church or network to be part of GO Day on Pentecost Saturday, May 23, 2026. GO Day is a global movement of believers sharing Jesus. Pentecost reminds us that the Holy Spirit empowers every believer to be a witness, and GO Day is a simple opportunity to live that out in everyday life. The invitation is simple: Share Jesus with one person. You don’t need a big program or a perfect plan. Just take one step of faith and ask God to use you. How to Participate 1. Pray Ask the Holy Spirit to prepare your heart and open a door for a Gospel conversation. 2. Prepare Think of one person you can reach out to. You can also prepare your own story of what Jesus has done in your life. 3. Share Start a simple conversation. Offer to pray, share your testimony, or tell them the good news of Jesus. 4. Celebrate Share what God did and encourage others to take a step too. GO Day is about ordinary believers stepping out together, one person at a time. Imagine what could happen if every believer shared Jesus with just one person. Will you join us for GO Day? Join GO Day: https://bit.ly/3PkJ36b Let’s pray, share, and GO. With gratitude, World Evangelical Alliance  Over two billion Christians in the world today are represented by three world church bodies. The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) is one of those, serving more than 650 million evangelicals belonging to churches that are part of 163 national Evangelical Alliances in 9 regions. Launched in London in 1846, the WEA unites evangelicals across denominations for prayer, evangelism, mission, theological education, religious freedom, human rights advocacy, relief, and engagement in a wide range of social issues. It speaks with one voice to United Nations, governments, and media in public or through behind-the-scenes diplomacy on issues of common concern to the Church. For more information, visit worldea.org WEA has been a charter member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability since 1980. WEA is audited annually by an independent public accounting firm. WEA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. In the United States, your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

© Copyright 2026 World Evangelical Alliance

Mission Yearbook: Seattle youth pastor says keys to discernment are consistency and community

You go into ministry with tons of energy, excitement and ideas. “Then you hit this reality wall where ministry is not what you expected it to be,” said the Rev. Tim Yi, who has spent over 15 years in youth ministry.

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The Rev. Tim Yi

The youth pastor at Community Church of Seattle, a primarily Korean American congregation, talked about disillusionment, discernment and more with the Rev. Zoë Garry in a recent Leading Theologically program and podcast. Garry is associate director of Theological Education Funds Development for the Presbyterian Foundation.

Yi said he can’t remember exactly when discernment became a priority — only that it was in his most difficult moments.

He realized it wasn’t about how smart or talented he was or how well he planned, and that he couldn’t do it alone. It was in those valleys he sought discernment and wisdom from God and trusted people in his life. That changed how he does ministry.

“Sometimes I question my own calling,” he said. “Like, is this really for me? Are my kids listening to my sermons? Do they even like me? So, I’m thankful for people who speak life and truth into me, saying: ‘Hey, we all go through that.’”

Volunteers fuel Community Church’s youth program. What qualities, Garry asked, does Yi look for in adult leaders?

Yi, who came to faith in high school, said faith is No. 1. “I really do believe God uses people in the church to guide our students.”

Faith is a given, but consistency is vital because it demonstrates caring and builds trust. “Your presence matters way more than what you can say. Showing up is, I would say, 80% of youth ministry. … When I recruit teachers, I tell them: ‘Show up, man, even if it’s like for 30 or 40 minutes. Just come say hello.’”

Teachability, in the sense of being willing to learn from the students themselves, is also important. Life experience is good, but “sometimes students can teach us about God. We don’t have all the information.”

Regardless of age, Yi added, adult leaders need to be relatable. (Yes, being able to tell a corny joke helps.)

Consistency doesn’t have to be hard, Yi emphasized.

“You’re not asking someone to move a mountain. You’re asking someone to show up. I think almost every single person has it in their power to be consistent, and it pours into building trust.”

Consistency of character is especially important in the picked and chosen social media world. Yi, who has an active YouTube channel, admits he’s figuring it out along the way. Though online ministries can be genuine, the desire to garner views can easily override authenticity. It’s still a place to reach people who might never set foot in a church.

“A certain topic or video could be their first exposure to Christianity,” he said.

While there’s room for both in-person and online ministry, “one of the things the church can offer is that real, genuine human connection, and it really comes down to consistency.”

In his Asian American context, Yi has seen more open discussion in recent years on topics such as mental health and the intersection of faith and politics. In 2025, you can find answers to any question you might have — answers that support your or anyone else’s position. He encourages students to search with care, ask more questions and seek input from trusted people in their circles.

“Again, that’s where discernment comes in,” Yi said. As an example, he described walking students through their fear about the end of the world ending on a particular day based on something they saw online. “That content is really popular because it gets a lot of views, and they were really influenced by that,” he said.

Yi spent time with the students talking about where the information came from, what the Bible actually says and where their attention might be better directed.

Even in a culture of self-reliance and individualism, he said, “the Christian faith is also corporate.”

Nancy Crowe for the Presbyterian Foundation (Click here to read original PNS Story)

Let us join in prayer for:

Steve Hoehn, Manager, Hubbard Press, Administrative Services Group
Cathy Holland, HR Generalist, Human Resources, Administrative Services Group                             

Let us pray:

What we know not, teach us. What we are not, make us. What we have not, give us. Amen.