Lexington Presbyterian Church supports people, organizations, and programs throughout the world. We believe that we are all missionaries in our community and wherever we go.
The Presbyterian Church (USA) has an active international mission arm, as well as a specific agency devoted to disaster relief.
Our Outreach Committee offers grants to support individuals in their own missionary endeavors. To apply, see the mission grant application for more information.
In addition, our church supports through its benevolence funds these missionary families and organizations, who are working on three continents.
The Hunters
David and Betsy Hunter work to spread the Christian message in the primarily Islam country of Turkey. David, who grew up in the Lexington Presbyterian Church, is part of the Antioch Network, based in Austin, Texas. David has been working as a missionary for more than 40 years and he and Betsy return to the United States occasionally. In their most recent communication, they ask our congregation to pray for:
- Safety, favor and good relationships in their Turkish neighborhood.
- Growth and maturity among the group meeting there—mainly young new believers.
- Health, strength, and energy for David and his colleagues as they share preaching and teaching duties.
The Ogden Family
Kirk and Emily Ogden joined South America Mission in June of 1999 after spending a number of years ministering with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Kirk is a third generation SAM missionary. They have three children, one of whom attends Washington and Lee University. Emily is the daughter of LexPres members Mary and David Dugan.
After serving for 2 1/2 years in a church planting and development ministry in San Ignacio, the Ogdens returned to the U.S. to serve in mobilization. Kirk is now Executive Director of SAM, which is based in Fort Mill, S.C.
The Johnsons
Melissa and Charles Johnson have worked for many years in Zambia under the auspices of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. Charles retired in the fall of 2020 but Melissa continues to work in the CCAP Zambia Health Department, where she visits clinics and meets with different folks involved in healthcare in Zambia’s Lundazi District. LexPres and other churches in the Shenandoah Presbytery supported the Johnsons’ initiative to build a medical clinic in the rural community of Phalaza.
Diversity Serves
Susan Mead, who grew up in Lexington, established the non-profit organization, Diversity Serves, in 2016 after visiting South Sudan. The group’s mission is “connecting diverse communities through creating sustainable partnerships for cultivating prosperity and peace.” Financial support from Lexington Presbyterian Church is helping two young men from South Sudan who are receiving educations in Kenya, with help from Hope House International:
Zacheria Agoth Manyang and John Makuei Bath.
Rafiki Foundation
Rafiki, the Swahili word for friend, captures the vision and purpose of the Rafiki Foundation.
Since 1985 Rafiki has answered God's call to be that friend to the needy in Africa in various ways, including missionary work. In 2001 Rafiki received its first orphan, and has made orphan care and Christian education its top priority. These children, all orphaned because of famine, war, and illness, mainly HIV/AIDS, are being rescued from starvation, disease, hopelessness, and despair. They are given a healthy future filled with laughter, promise, security, learning, and love.
In the villages Rafiki provides all of the housing, supervised by screened African women who act as surrogate mothers. Also provided are food, clothing, supplies, medical care and education for a child from the day he/she arrives until adulthood.
Lexington Presbyterian church supports Rafiki in two ways:
- The Outreach Committee makes an annual grant to the organization.
- Our Sunday school classes, pre-school through high school, are sponsoring a girl named Metsenant Tages. Metsy is living in the Rafiki village in Ethiopia. Our classes receive regular updated prayer requests for Metsy, and their weekly offerings go to her support.
All funds given go directly to support the child. All of the children need at least one sponsor. You or your family may want to consider this very real way of connecting with a child in Africa. There are many orphans in the 10 countries in Africa where Rafiki has established villages. The cost is $25, $50, $75, or $100 per month.
