Global Missions
The world is at once a big place and quite small. From our corner of Birmingham, Alabama, South Highland Presbyterian Church actively supports missionary efforts around the world. From financial support for denominational mission offerings to teaching sustainable gardens around the globe to personal visits with missionaries in central Africa, our church is taking the love of Christ and the message of His redemption to all corners of the globe.
Liaison with Missionaries: Our program of correspondence with the missionary families who are specifically supported by SHPC allows us to educate our congregants about the church’s global mission fields, as well as to give the missionaries support in work they are doing in response to God's call.South Highlands contributes to the support of six missionary families/individuals.
2016-2017 SHPC-Supported Mission Co-Workers:
- Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship: Rev. Dr. Cody Watson
- Democratic Republic of Congo: Jeff and Christi Boyd
- Democratic Republic of Congo: Dr. John and Gwenda Fletcher
- Democratic Republic of Congo: Rev. Bob and Kristi Rice
- Madagascar : Dan and Elizabeth Turk
- South Sudan: Leisa Wagstaff
- Undisclosed location: Pam
One Great Hour of Sharing: SHPC participates in this offering. One-third goes to PCUSA Hunger Programs; one-third funds Self Development Of People programs and one-third goes for Presbyterian Disaster Relief. SHPC Contact: Greta Clark.
Peacemaking: SHPC participates in the Peacemaking Offering on World Communion Sunday. One-fourth of the offering goes to support efforts toward peace in our community, one-fourth to Presbytery programs, and one half goes to General Assembly program.
Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship (PFF) works to see that every ethnic group has its own church, reflecting its own cultural characteristics. They want every Presbyterian church to have a mission vision, in particular a vision to reach out to peoples who have no church. Dr.Cody Watson is an associate director of PFF and keeps us informed on activities throughout the world in areas where there is no exposure to the gospel.
Short Term Mission Trips: We encourage and support financially South Highlanders doing mission in other parts of the world. Past trips have included medical mission trips to Honduras, water treatment system installation in Mexico, and partnership meetings with presbyteries in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Water Purification Project: Living Waters for the world (LWW) developed a complete program for successfully creating partnerships with groups in need of water purification in such a way that the recipients can operate and maintain a fairly simple water system that will provide them with more than clean water. A higher standard of living is achieved through reduced cost for clean water and improved health from following the health practices taught along with installation of the mechanical equipment. For more information call Jim Price who coordinates the mission.
Witness Season: Each year a mission emphasis season showcases missionaries and speakers to educate South Highlanders in being Global Christians through personal participation. Your support-financial, prayers, and hands-on mission volunteer work-enables SHPC to participate in programs such as Development in Gardening (DIG) and to be connected to persons doing God's work in many parts of the world. Much of our mission activity is supported in part by the annual Witness Season Offering. SHPC Contact: Lee Cooper.
For more information on South Highland Missions, contact Debbie Perkins