Longstanding faithfulness in any good endeavor is a rare thing. If you’ve ever tried to maintain a healthy diet you know this well. If by “longstanding” we mean years of faithfulness, then a great many things must be adjusted to, persevered through, and even overcome in order to stay the course.
To the Philippian saints, overseers and deacons, Paul sites their partnership in the gospel “from the first day until now” as a cause of joy in his prayers for them. PMU is grateful to the Lord for the longstanding faithfulness of Council Members who have united for the Name of Jesus Christ and the proclamation of His gospel around the world.
There are several men who have reached significant milestones in their service on the PMU Council. We rejoice in the Lord’s gracious provision of faithful men dedicated to the cause of Christ.
For twenty-five years the Council has enjoyed the wisdom, guidance, and labors of Rev. John Dyck—pastor of Edmonton BPC in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and Mr. Stuart Welch—an elder at Tacoma BPC in Tacoma, WA.
For thirty-five years, beginning with the founding of Presbyterian Missionary Union, Dr. John Battle, Dr. James L Blizzard, Dr. Morris McDonald and Rev. Glenn Rogers have been at the helm leading PMU. Their faithfulness has led PMU through the many challenges that accompany any work that seeks to bring the Light into the darkness, always with the confidence that the cause of Christ will prevail.
Take a moment and consider that for one quarter of a century and more, in addition to a full plate of daily duties, these fathers in the faith have taken up the responsibility of guiding a mission agency so that our churches could work together in sending and supporting faithful missionaries to the nations with the gospel of Christ. How blessed a church we are!
May the faithfulness of these servants of Jesus Christ stir up in us longstanding faithfulness and partnership in the gospel.
Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. —Philippians 1:27
