(From RCA Today)

Redevelopment Addresses Challenges

During their last pastoral transition, members of Faith Reformed Church recognized that calling another pastor wouldn't necessarily take care of the issues they were facing—frustration, conflict, misunderstanding, lack of trust.

Church leaders began to pray. They sought guidance from the classis and the regional synod. Regional minister Dale Assink recommended that rather than an interim pastor, they consider a three-year redevelopment plan.

That's how Faith Reformed found its redevelopment pastor, Carl Boersma. He's one of four current "redeveloper" pastors in the RCA. They're in a network together for accountability and support, and each has a three-year contract with a congregation to lead a turn-around effort.

"We come in to resolve issues and work through a process seeking to bring healing and life and a new sense of purpose and direction for the church family," Boersma says.

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(From RCA Communications)

Bible translations usually take 10 to 20 years, but the Yupik translation has been underway for more than 30. RCA missionary Brian Renes, who teaches translators around the world to use computers effectively, recently returned to Alaska to work with the Yupik. He had first visited them in 1998 and observed that they still had a lot of work to do.

"Why has it taken so long?" asks Renes. "One of the best translators died of cancer; others had to retire; winters are harsh; fishing season is busy. Even more significant, [the Yupik] live in community."

During Renes's latest visit, when the translators learned that a woman from their church was in her final hours of battling cancer, they were on their way to see her within a few minutes.

"They do not check to see if they have time, they take the time to fulfill their responsibilities to their community," says Renes.

"Does God think [their translation work] has taken too long? I don't think so. He cares as much about the process as the end, maybe even more. The Yupik Bible will be finished, and the timing might just be perfect."

The February mission offering will support the worldwide Bible translation support ministry of Brian Renes.

(From RCA Communications)

Reformed Church World Service (RCWS) is calling for prayers for peace in South Sudan. A recent resurgence of inter-ethnic violence there has left thousands dead.

Since late December, Luo-Nuer people have attacked Murle people in the towns of Lekwangole and Pibor. Local authorities report that more than 3,000 people have been killed and 120,000 displaced.

Many became separated from family members as they fled the violence; 19,000 remain missing. Homes in Lekwangole and Pibor were burned to the ground, and many cattle were stolen. Sources in South Sudan say the attacks are believed to be retaliation for a Murle attack last August in which 740 Luo-Nuer were killed. Those attacks resulted in 31,000 displaced persons and 166 orphaned children.

RCWS will work with the Presbyterian Church of Sudan, an RCA mission partner, to assist the displaced people with maize seed, sorghum, ground nuts, blankets, medicine, and cooking utensils. RCWS will send $10,000 to the Presbyterian Relief and Development Agency, an agency of the Presbyterian Church of Sudan.

RCA Global Mission continues to support RECONCILE, a mission partner that promotes peace-building in South Sudan by providing training in trauma healing, civic education, and conflict transformation. RECONCILE works in areas with high inter-tribal tension. New RCA missionaries Shelvis and Nancy Smith-Mather are currently raising support to join RECONCILE and help address inter-ethnic conflict.

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