“God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. . .”  Multnomah Presbyterian Church wants to follow our Lord into the world that He loves. Many people and projects comprise our focus for mission. Here are just a few:

Mexico

Wycliffe Bible Translators: Ron and Sue Newberg, receive our mission support as they continue with their translation work in Mexico. A few years ago they finished a twenty year project of translating the New Testament into the Zapotec language of Yalalag. This had been an oral language.  But the Newbergs meticulously and lovingly wrote and transcribed the Yalalag indigenous language into a written form and then wrote the New Testament into that language.  Ron continues now to oversee and direct all translation work of the scripture teams for Wycliffe in Mexico.

For more information, please visit the Wycliffe Bible Translators website.

Baja Mexico: Our congregation continues to support the Martinez family as they minister to the Indian field workers that migrate from the mainland of Mexico to the huge tomato and strawberry fields of the Baja. Pastor Martinez has begun two churches there. Our church has also built homes through YWAM in the Baja.

Peñas: Carlos and Olga Peña, evangelists in Mexico, are still faithfully establishing a body of believers in the village of Siqueros. Our congregation has also sent them funds to begin building an actual church building.

Africa

World Vision: MPC has over the past several years contributed enough funds to build three bore hole water wells in Zambia. Clean water can cut the child mortality rate nearly in half in this rural part of Zambia. Rev. Sylvia Dilworth was privileged to attend the dedication of our first water well in Siapolo.

We are also grateful to partner with World Vision to assemble over 100 AIDS caregiver kits each year. These kits are then shipped and distributed to people on the front line in caring for those stricken with AIDS in villages throughout Africa.   Through World Vision our church members also individually sponsor more than 45 children in Africa. These sponsorships can literally save a child from illness and death.

For more information, please visit the World Vision website.

Presbyterian Frontier  Fellowship: Our congregation supports this evangelistic outreach to the unreached people group, the Arssi Oromo, in Ethiopia. We have sent enough funds to build a literacy center in Ethiopia as well as yearly support of a teacher among the Arssi Oromo people group. 

Nasa Theological College: NTC is a vital seminary in Tanzania training future pastors for East Africa. John Dilworth’s cousin, a lifelong missionary to Africa, began this college in 1986.  It is a privilege now for John to return to NTC every few years to teach courses to the enthusiastic and committed pastors. (Photo of John and African Pastors)
Our church also have sent NTC funds to finish their library.

Other Missions

Presbyterian Missions: MPC gives to the PC(USA) Missions to finance work here in our own Presbytery and worldwide.

Local Missions

Adult Mission Trip: Every year adults from our congregation put our collective gifts and skills together to work for those in need. We have flown to Mississippi to work in the aftermath of Katrina. And we’ve driven to local Vernonia to work in the aftermath of their flood disaster. Many adults have also served alongside our high school youth in Mexico as they build homes or work on orphanages.

Faith in Action Sundays: Our church twice a year serves our community by meeting together for worship and prayer and then spreading out to serve in usually seven or eight different projects. Hygiene kits for homeless youth have been assembled. AIDS caregiver kits have been made. Worship services have been held at a local nursing home. Schools have been painted or playgrounds weeded. Quilts have been sewn for abused children. Ivy has been pulled from our local Gabriel Park. Food has been cooked and parties have been held at a local low-income apartment unit. Yard work has been done at a local hospitality house for immigrants. The list continues to grow as we encourage people of all ages from our church to serve on these Faith in Action Sundays.

Quilts for Kids: Our quilting group at MPC has sewn over 1000 quilts for children of abuse seeking help through Cares NW. Quilts for Kids meets at the church Mondays at 10 AM.

Family of Friends: Several families in our church mentor young children through this organization.

Other local missions:  MPC also supports the Salvation Army, Shepherd’s Door, Loaves and Fishes, SW Hope, and Wee Kirk.