How Mission Crossroads website brings the world together
Gary Payton is a Mission co-worker and Regional Liaison for Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Poland.
By Gary Payton
Summer is past and so is the majority of our congregational and personal international mission travel. It’s my prayer that relationships were deepened and partnerships as brothers and sisters in Christ were strengthened.
So, how can we stay connected? What tools are available across our Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to help us share and learn from each other?
Let me introduce the Mission Crossroads website, a networked community for sharing mission stories, best practices and concerns in search of more faithful and effective mission engagement.
Most of us have heard of Facebook, a social networking site that has connected millions of people around the world. Well, Mission Crossroads uses social networking software to build a space for sharing about mission.
What’s on it? Pathways to connect with others engaged in God’s mission in countries around the world. A resource library filled with articles on improving our mission outreach. “God’s Mission Matters,” a monthly podcast from Presbyterian World Mission of faith stories about global mission. News from a host of mission networks: Guatemala, Malawi, India, Russia and dozens more. Downloadable “Webinars” or Web-based seminars of mission topics. Blogs with the reflections of PC(USA) mission co-workers. And, much more!
Does this all sound too “techie?” My response is like that of the angel Gabriel, “Do not be afraid!” First, find the site: www.missioncrossroads.org. Second, sign up (red box, top right). Third, take your time and explore slowly all the possibilities for you or your congregation. Fourth, visit the Mission Crossroads website often to discover what is new and useful.The Internet has created new ways for us to learn, to stay connected, and to be engaged in the world. Why not use that technology to improve the ways we Presbyterians “do mission in partnership?
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