Monday, February 22, 2016

‘Dr. Dilip’ named field representative for Bishop’s Partners in Mission

“There are different spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; and there are different ministries and the same Lord; and there are different activities but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good.” 
(I Cor. 12:4-7)

Through a monetary grant from the General Church, the Susquehanna Conference has secured the services of Dr. Dilip Abayasekara to be the field representative for the Bishop’s Partners in Mission, effective January 1, 2016. “Dr. Dilip,” as he is known, will work closely with Bishop Jeremiah J. Park’s office as well as with the Director of Connectional Ministries.

“Please know that no gifts from churches and / or individuals to Bishop’s Partners in Mission will be used in any manner for these administrative / personnel costs,” said Bishop Park. “The entire amount of the gifts received will be used to support Imagine No Malaria and Mission Central equally, except for when those gifts are designated.”

Dr. Dilip brings many gifts to this part-time position. He is a professor at Penn College and also serves on the staff at Middlesex United Methodist Church in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He recently graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary with his Masters of Divinity degree. Many pastors, and thus churches, in our conference have been assisted by Dr. Dilip’s coaching course, “Preaching with Power.” He is an excellent communicator and he demonstrates very strong administrative skills. In this new temporary position he will help develop and implement a strategy to promote both Imagine No Malaria and Mission Central through the Bishop’s Partners in Mission initiative.

Dr. Dilip will be a great asset to our conference and to our individual churches as we continue to be a church alive in mission. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Stewardship Foundation and previously served on the Conference Congregational Development Team.

Bishop Park requests your prayers and support for Dr. Dilip and his new task.
“Your partnership with him in mission would be greatly appreciated,” said Bishop Park. “My heart overflows with joy and love for the outpouring of gifts and support for the Bishop’s Partners in Mission. Thanks be to God for the generous people of Susquehanna Conference. To God be the glory that together we continue to make a difference in our community and the world for such a time as this.”