Partnerships with Churches Abroad

Christian partnership recognizes that what we learn from one another can change our perceptions, our faith, and enrich our lives. Partnership affirms that sharing of faith with persons from another country and culture may enrich the understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Partnership assumes that poor persons have much to teach and share with more prosperous individuals. Our sister churches are Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minsk, Belarus, and Central Moravian Church in Bluefields, Nicaragua.

Central Moravian Church, Bluefields, Nicaragua
Our partnership with Central Moravian Church was established for mutual understanding, support and prayer. We have sent six delegations to Bluefields since 1991. Delegations of youth and adults from Bluefields have also visited Richmond.

An exciting part of our partnership with Central Moravian is a scholarship program for students at Colegio Moravo, a private school operated by the church. Public schools in Nicaragua are not free, but while they require an investment, the scarcity of teachers and textbooks limits students' education. Bluefields is particularly poor. Colegio Moravo offers a strong academic curriculum, taught by committed faculty, as well as spiritual nourishment for its students.

FPC members currently support 40 students at Central Moravian School and six at the university. We have more sponsors than we have students and excess contributions are put in a scholarship fund. An annual sponsorship costs $250 and covers tuition, books and uniforms. Central Moravian Church started the school and administers the scholarship program.

Funds from our recent Faith in Action campaign started a medical clinic for some of the poorest families in Bluefields who feed themselves from the town dump. The clinic provides approximately 60 children with a hot meal each day, health care and medication, family health education, and Sunday School. Dr. Bernadette Kelly administers the program under the oversight of Central Moravian Church.

Contact Mert Fowlkes at 288-4439 or fmfowlkes@aol.com for more information about this partnership.

Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minsk, Belarus
Bethlehem Baptist was established over 13 years ago and has more than 200 members. A former Soviet Block country, the repressive government of Belarus makes it difficult to be a practicing Christian.

First Presbyterian has helped with the construction of Bethlehem Baptist Church and with the construction of Mercy House, which will provide care for the elderly. We have sent several delegations to Minsk and have enjoyed visits from their pastors over the years.

First Presbyterian provides funds for children to attend an outdoor summer camp. Over one hundred children attend one of three sessions. The camp is 175 miles from Minsk in the countryside far from the city and the continuing effects of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident. Youngsters from Bethlehem Baptist Church and the surrounding area enjoy fresh air, Bible study, outdoor activities and Christian fellowship.

Investigate opportunities for mission trips and outreach to our sister church. Contact Connie Gottwald at 560-3711 or cigottwald@mac.com for more information.