To contact the International Missions Committee, email InternationalMission@wpc-alex.org. Members of Westminster are invited to attend mission committee meetings. The International Missions Committee meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the church, unless otherwise advertised.
Mexico Westminster members provide continuing homebuilding and health clinic support in Reynosa, Mexico by contributing funds. We also provide a few educational scholarships for needy children there.
Kenya - United Orphanage & Academy, Moi's Bridge
Although Westminster has long supported churches and seminaries in Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire), Kenya and Zambia, since 2001 we have emphasized support for the United Orphanage & Academy in Moi’s Bridge, Kenya. The reconciliation of children from various ethnic backgrounds was a founding principle of the Orphanage. We have built dormitories, toilet facilities, dining hall, kitchen, office and storage space, dug a well, provided for construction to enable connection to the electric grid, and purchased a 14 passenger van using budgeted funds and contributions from individual members of the congregation and others.
There are currently 50 children in residence at the Orphanage. It costs $850 a year or $71 a month to maintain a child at the orphanage. There are more than 100 at the Academy that are dependent on your generosity. There is a need for scholarships for orphans and other vulnerable children in the neighborhood whose guardians cannot afford the costs of lunches and supplies to send them to the Academy at $100 per child per year. It costs $950 per year or $79 per month to support a teacher for each class. In addition, we are seeking funds for supplies and to complete the construction of a permanent academy building.
In 2006, the Academy commenced offering classes for the children at the Orphanage and in the local community. Unlike class sizes in the local public schools which range up to 110 students per teacher, class size at the Academy will be limited to 30 per teacher. As of 2009 the Academy offers classes from Kindergarten/Early Childhood Development through 6th grade. It hopes to add a grade per year through 2011 at which time it will be offering nine classes from pre-primary through grade eight.
Because so many people contributed funds to orphan support, teacher support and scholarships, we have created a special category of gift called the "Benefactor Package". For $2000, a person can provide support for an orphan, a teacher and two scholarships.
Contact Janet Riksen, Director of Missions, at 703-549-4766. Check out the Chronicle for the latest information about UO&A.
On Sunday, October 17, 2010, we were very happy to welcome Rev. George Wepukhulu to our pulpit. To learn more about the personal testimonies of Rev. Wepukhulu, Rev. Stephen Githuki and Rev. Stephen Chege, click here.
Melissa McClellan, who traveled to Kenya in February, 2010, created an informative and visually stunning slideshow of photographs from the visit. Click here to be directed to that slideshow.
The video below was created and provided by Chris McAdoo, who visited Kenya a couple times with Henri Rush.
Throughout Africa Our congregation supports churches and seminaries in Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya and Zambia. We provide scholarships for seminary students in Kenya and Zambia. We are partners with Elburgon Presbytery in Kenya of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa in building churches and health clinics, and providing training in Elburgon Presbytery. Reverend Ted and Sue Wright are Co-Directors of the African Evangelism and Church Growth Program of the PC (USA) and the Outreach Foundation, which Westminster has supported since its inception in 1984. Over the years, Westminster has contributed more than $300,000 to the building of churches, seminaries, and the training of pastors and evangelists under the Program. The Wrights are currently based at the Justo Mwale Seminary in Lusaka, Zambia. The Program covers the countries of Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi.
How Westminster is Helping Mapopa Nyirongo
Mapop Nyirongo studies Theology at the Justo Mwale Theological University College in Lusaka, Zambia. Westminster currently sponsors Mapopa and his family—wife Agness Phiri and three children Mary, Madaliso and Alick—through the Presbyterian Church (USA), PC(USA). Mapopa and his family came from Lundazi in eastern Zambia and he has been called by God to the hard life of a rural pastor. According to Nancy Collins, PC(USA) Regional Liaison for East Central Africa, Mapopa has answered that call joyfully. Nancy Collins lives on campus and is available to Mapopa and the eleven other Bachelor of Theology students sponsored through other PC(USA) congregations. Mapopa, like the other students, has planted a large garden near his home to help stretch the living allowance he receives. Mapopa’s wife, Agness, is currently enrolled in a literacy class through the women’s program provided by Justo Mwale for spouses of pastors.
Through the newly formed International Missions Committee, WPC will continue to support the work of Nancy Collins, Justo Mwale and other projects, and you may learn more about these through future Chronicle articles or by emailing the International Missions Committee.
