International Mission
In prayer, the Mission Work Group of the First Presbyterian Church of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, seeks to follow our mission statement and goals as well as the mission of the church. One of the ways this leads us is toward a focus internationally.
We partner with three international ministries:
- Presbyterian Church (USA) co-workers Rev. Mark Adams and his spouse, Miriam Maldanado Escobar, who serve on the US-Mexico border through Frontera de Cristo (partners since 2016).
- Reformed Church of America peacebuilder Rev. Justin Meyers, executive director of the Al Amana Centre in Muscat, Oman (partners since 2016).
- The “Sponsor a Student” program of the Aya (formerly the Senase Project) in Akatim, Ghana, Africa (this partnership began in 2019.)
Funding for these ministries has come from the Gates Endowment Fund (a legacy gift designated for international missions), from congregational donations, and from funds raised by the Mission Work Group through various fundraiser events.
Rev. Mark Adams and Miriam Maldonado Escobar lead the Presbyterian border ministry Frontera de Cristo located in the sister cities of Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico, and Douglas, Arizona, USA. There are six areas of ministry, including: New Hope Community Center (includes Cafe Justo), Mission Education, Migrant Resource Center, Family Ministry, Church Development, and Health Ministry.
Rev. Justin Meyers and family live in Muscat, Oman, where Justin and the staff of the Al Amana Centre promote the concept that a substantial dialogue leads to deeper understanding between Christians and Muslims worldwide. The Centre is an ecumenical and interfaith organization built upon the legacy of over 130 years of Christians working with their Muslim hosts and neighbors from different faiths represented in Oman. Oman’s predominant religion is Ibadi Muslim.
The “Sponsor A Student” program through Aya (formerly The Senase Project) provides the school in Akatim, Ghana, Africa, with needed supplies such as soap and allows the students to learn about God and the world in a safe environment. Since 2019 we have sponsored individual students and the general scholarship program. The mission of the Aya is to eradicate poverty through community development. By providing the necessary supplies, building materials, labor to construct appropriate community sites, and applying sustainable methods. Aya strives to give members of the community the ability to succeed in their lives emotionally, physically, and academically.
We have also provided offerings to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), an emergency and refugee program that works collaboratively with church partners and members of the ACT Alliance (Action by Churches Together) responding to natural and man-made disasters and assisting refugees worldwide, including Ukraine, India, and Equador. The annual One Great Hour of Sharing offering gives money to PDA along with the Hunger Program (seeking to alleviate the cause of hunger) and Self Development of People (partnering with people to change their lives and community).