Daily Devotion Focusing on the Missions Supported by First Pres

Mark 9:33-37

“Then they (Jesus and the disciples) came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the way?’ But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’ Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’” – Mark 9:33-37

Introducing our Mission Co-worker in Taiwan is Rev. Dr. John McCall, John supports pastors of the Presbyterian Church of Taiwan (PCT) in a country where only 3 percent of the population is Christian. Outreach in Taiwan can be challenging, and the possibility of burnout is high. In groups, John and the pastors pray, read Scripture, and dream. They encourage each other to be faithful and visionary leaders. John also works with the native Taiwanese (aboriginals) who have been most open to the gospel, but also the most marginalized people on the island. In addition, John teaches at all three seminaries of the PCT and leads conferences for youth and young adults. “I spend almost every Saturday night in a pastor’s residence,” John says. “I spend a lot of time listening to them and encouraging them, and it’s a joy to see how these young pastors are doing a wonderful job for God.”

Join me in prayer for the ministry and mission of the Presbyterian Church of Taiwan, their mission co-workers like John, their pastors, and those called to love as Jesus loves, with a prayer from Diann L. Neu’s In Praise of Hands.

Prayer

Blessed be the works of Your hands, O Holy One. Blessed be these hands that have touched life. Blessed be these hands that have nurtured creativity. Blessed be these hands that have held pain. Blessed be these hands that have embraced with passion. Blessed be these hands that have tended gardens. Blessed be these hands that have planted new seeds. Blessed be these hands that have harvested ripe fields. Blessed be these hands that have cleaned, washed, mopped, scrubbed. Blessed be these hands that have become knotty with age. Blessed be these hands that are wrinkled and scarred from doing justice. Blessed be these hands that have reached out and been received. Blessed be these hands that hold the promise of the future. Blessed be the works of your hands, O Holy One. Amen.