Mission Central, Inc
August 5, 2020
It is with great joy and thanksgiving to God that I write this letter. On Wednesday, August 5, 2020 Mission Central officially became a ministry of their own [operating as Mission Central, Inc., a nonprofit registered with the IRS under section 501c3 and with the PA Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations.] The papers were signed, the ownership of the property was turned over to Mission Central and the loan to Seedling Ministries was paid in full.
Like a child that has grown, Mission Central is now ready and able to take their next faithful step in God’s vision for transforming the world. By the action of our Annual Conference and the accomplishment of Wednesday’s closing, Mission Central will now have accessibility to greater financial resources beyond our conference. They will be able to apply for grants and financial resources which heretofore were closed to them.
What a journey it has been to come to this time in the history and life of Mission Central. We remember with thankfulness the leading of God’s spirit through Bishop Neil Irons, whose vision and inspiration started what Mission Central is today.
Only God could envision the unbelievable future of this ministry. From its humble beginning with the vote of the former Central PA Conference, Mission Central has become known as the hands and feet of Christ locally, nationally, and globally! God, with the help of you the people of the Susquehanna Conference, has done and continues to do amazing and miraculous ministry. Millions of lives are served each year, hurts are healed, flood ravaged places are made whole, and many of the corners of the world have been touched because of Mission Central.
What a blessing to be part of this incredible ministry. Mission Central and the Susquehanna Conference will keep the partnership in mission and ministry in many ways. The people and churches of our Annual Conference will continue to volunteer and provide resources for the ongoing ministry of Mission Central throughout the world. Mission Central will still be an Advance Special of our conference. And, there will be representatives from the Susquehanna Conference to the Mission Central Board. Clearly Mission Central and our conference can continue together to be one in ministry to all the world.
I am so thankful to Bishop Irons, the people of the Susquehanna Conference and many partners and friends for your ability to allow God to lead Mission Central and us into God’s preferred future. Your continued prayers and support for Mission Central would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks be to God for God’s leading. Thanks be to God for the hard work of the staff and board members of Mission Central. Thanks be to God for your willingness to take this next step in the life and ministry of Mission Central. Praise be to God!
In Ministry With You,
Bishop Jeremiah J. Park
Find out more at missioncentral.org
Death of Bishop John Yambasu of Sierra Leone
August 17, 2020
“Jesus said, I am the resurrection and I am the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, yet shall they live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Because I live, you shall live also.” (John 11:25-26)
“Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)
In profound sadness, disbelief, and shock I share with you the death of Bishop John K. Yambasu, Resident Bishop of the Sierra Leone Area of the United Methodist Church. Yesterday, Sunday, August 16, Bishop Yambasu was on his way to the funeral of one of the pastors when he was killed in a car accident just outside of Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Bishop Yambasu and the people of Sierra Leone are no strangers to the people of the Susquehanna Conference. There is a long and proud history of our people working for health, wholeness, and financial support for the pastors of Sierra Leone Conference in and through the Sierra Leone Initiative. Our people have been instrumental and extremely generous in support of the Initiative. Many of our churches and individuals engage in various projects with churches in Sierra Leone. Inspired and encouraged and prompted by Bishop Yambasu the mission partnership between the Susquehanna and Sierra Leone Conferences continues to be strengthened and makes a difference. While we are joined together with the people of Sierra Leone as ministry partners, we are also now joined by sadness because of his death.
Bishop Yambasu was an outstanding episcopal leader. His spirituality, his faith, his devotion to the mission of the church, and his visionary and passionate leadership made him a giant in our denomination. His commitment to the unity of the United Methodist Church propelled him to be instrumental in bringing together an extremely diverse group of people representing the diversity of the United Methodist Church. This group of people, who have contrasting and diverse views about the future of our church, met several times in 2019 for historic discernment and decision. In part because of Bishop Yambasu’s leadership, integrity and belief in God’s plan for our church, the group forged an agreement now known as the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation. His work and legacy in this area will be considered at the General Conference set for 2021.
Born in southern Sierra Leone, Bishop Yambasu studied at United Methodist mission schools and graduated from Candler School of Theology. Prior to his ordination and serving as a pastor, he taught in several schools in Sierra Leone and also served as the Sierra Leone Conference’s director for Christian education and youth ministries.
Bishop Yambasu was elected to the Episcopacy in 2008 and continued to serve the Sierra Leone Conference and the United Methodist Church with distinction until his untimely death. Bishop Yambasu also served as the President of the Africa College of Bishops. He was the newly elected Chancellor of Africa University.
Bishop Yambasu is survived by his wife, Millicent and their children – Rebecca, Adima, John, Emmanuel, and Elizabeth.
Please join me in praying for Millicent, their children as well as the United Methodists of Sierra Leone and the global community as they grieve his untimely death. May God’s love and abiding care surround Bishop Yambasu’s family and all those who mourn his death.
We take solace, comfort, and hope in these days because our God is a God who provides for us in this life. Our Living God also provides for us an eternal home in and through Jesus the Christ who is the resurrection and the life. In the midst of sadness for the sudden loss of Bishop John K. Yambasu, we give thanks and praises to God for his faithfulness till the end and for his amazing legacy as he now shines brightly in the Church Triumphant.
Praying with you,
Bishop Jeremiah J. Park
