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World Mission

2025 Mission Trip to Guatemala

guatemala 25 follow up

In July, a team of 12 from six churches and two presbyteries (James and Peaks) experienced a week of mission engagement in Guatemala with The Protestant Center for Pastoral Studies in Central America (Centro Evangélico de Estudios Pastorales en Centroamérica--CEDEPCA), a global partner of the PC(USA) and the Presbytery of the James.

The group not only experienced the life-changing ministry of CEDEPCA but also enjoyed opportunities to give their hands and hearts. With a focus on Earth Care, the week included planting trees in a reforestation project with church youth, distributing 25,000 vegetable seeds to improve nutrition, and delivering life-saving water filters to 110 families. We also heard from women who survived the brutal violence of the Armed Conflict and learned from Mayan Spirituality about our deep connectedness to all creation. Through it all, we strengthened our ties with the people of Guatemala and with CEDEPCA.

One participant commented, “I was gobsmacked at the difference CEDEPCA makes in every corner of so many lives." Please invite someone you know to come on the next trip! To arrange for someone to speak to your church, contact Mary Jane Winter, World Mission Ministry moderator. Check out photos from our trip below!

THE WORLD MISSION MINISTRY educates leaders and provides engagement in God’s mission through presbytery trips to Haiti and Guatemala.

World Mission Ministry connects congregations with Presbyterian World Mission with a shared mission initiative with Peaks Presbytery in Guatemala.

World Mission Ministry also promotes and financially supports the Young Adult Volunteer program.

Members

Mary Jane Winter, moderator
Ruth Brown
Janice Reagan
Stanley Skreslet
James Taneti

PC(USA) Resources

Cindy Corell Final Update

Thanks to a grant from the POJ Hunger Fund, we distributed 25,000 vegetable seedlings—including broccoli, cauliflower, and spinach—to women in our agricultural training program. This initiative empowers them to grow their own food, providing sustainable nutrition for their families.

We counted out 25,000 vegetable seedlings for 5 different kinds like broccoli cauliflower spinach and gave them to the women who had been learning how to grow them providing better nutrition for their families. A grant from POJ hunger fund provided these seedlings.

A Night at Atitlan: Enjoying the beauty of God’s creation.

A Night at Atitlan: Enjoying the beauty of God’s creation.

Handing out 110 Ecofiltro water filters which we had previously assembled.

Handing out 110 Ecofiltro water filters that we assembled earlier.

Jennifer Tucker of Rockfish hands out one of the filters

Jennifer Tucker of Rockfish hands out one of the filters

Stan Parcell from New Hanover hands out vegetable seedlings.

Stan Parcell from New Hanover hands out vegetable seedlings

We partnered with a local youth program to save a forest near Guatemala City. Together, we planted cypress trees to replace indigenous species being killed by a parasitic plant.

The group partnered with a local youth program to save a forest near Guatemala City. Together, they planted cypress trees to replace indigenous species being killed by a parasitic plant.

We partnered with a local youth program to save a forest near Guatemala City. Together, we planted cypress trees to replace indigenous species being killed by a parasitic plant.

We partnered with a local youth program to save a forest near Guatemala City. Together, we planted cypress trees to replace indigenous species being killed by a parasitic plant.
Email Mary Jane Winter for More Information
Past POJ mission co-worker Cindy Corell (right)
Past POJ mission co-worker Cindy Corell (right)
Participants in the Young Adult Volunteer program
Participants in the Young Adult Volunteer program