Presbyterian Global Fellowship forms following GA

by Janet Hilley

Inaugural conference held in Atlanta

At Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta August 17-19, over a thousand Presbyterians gathered at the first conference of the newly formed Presbyterian Global Fellowship.

Those present seek to reclaim the evangelistic nature of the PC(USA) in service to Jesus Christ. PGF understands itself to be a way for Presbyterian congregations, "while remaining within their presbyteries, to identify themselves publicly as being part of a fellowship of churches that confesses the Lordship of Jesus Christ over all of life and is mission- driven."

PGF began last January when seven leaders from Greater Atlanta Presbytery began meeting and praying together. These seven, Vic Pentze, Scott Weimer, Steve Hayner, Rob Weingartner, Michael Walker, Dave Peterson and Camille Josey, all felt moved to help the denomination work beyond the political quagmire it finds itself in today. They longed to prompt each other to get on with the mission of the church and now, through PGF, they hope to help stir the rest of the denomination in fulfilling its mission, which includes international mission trips and deepening relationships with Presbyterians worldwide.

Scott Weimer, pastor of North Avenue Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, says that PGF seeks to help congregations reach out to the world. "We hope to address the needs of the world for the sake of Christ: global poverty, AIDS, homelessness, we want to address all of these," Weimer says. According to Weimer, PGF also seeks to strengthen partnerships with Presbyterians around the globe. "The global church has so much to teach us and if we are to be global partners, we have to listen to the global church," he says.

PGF plans another conference next year. They hope that smaller congregations and larger congregations will be able to partner with each other in mission. This year's conference drew participants from 42 states and ten countries. One quarter of the churches represented congregations under 100.

For more information about Presbyterian Global Fellowship please visit their website at PresbyterianGlobalFellowship.org.