Rev. Peter C deVries, Ph.D.

I'm the pastor of a smallish to mid-sized Presbyterian congregation just north of Pittsburgh. I hold a PhD in Religious Studies from the University of Pittsburgh, I'm passionate about mission work in Ghana, and I've been an adjunct professor at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. I've collaborated with friend on "Supermom in Galilee," a novel about a modern woman in Jesus' time, with commentary for reflection and discussion. You'll find some miscellaneous ramblings and musings here.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

On Mission

God touches a broken and needy world primarily through his body, the church. Because of his love for us, God calls us to participate in his care for the world. We are a church only when we reach to our community, nation, and world. We are faithful disciples only when we engage in acts of compassion, justice, and proclamation in Christ’s name. As we act for God, we discover that our mission transforms not only the world, but us. My relationship with our partners in Ghana, the mission trips I have led to other parts of our nation, and the service and volunteering opportunities that I lead for our church youth group have enriched my life and the life of my congregation as much as I hope that I have enriched theirs.