On Sunday, October 28, ELPC celebrated 25 years of partnership with Balaka (Malawi) Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP). The signing of a new partnership covenant with Balaka CCAP was the culminating event of ELPC’s 2018 Mission Month. The covenant was signed during fellowship time by Pastor Randy and Elder Derby Makwelero, chair of the Balaka CCAP partnership committee. In addition, a first floor gathering space was formally named the Balaka Room.
Elder Makwelero traveled to Pittsburgh with a delegation of 16 Malawians and 4 South Sudanese. While in Pittsburgh, the delegation participated in a number of ministry activities, including a welcoming luncheon hosted by ELPC Presbyterian Women, a “Personal Spiritual Practices that Lead to Congregational Revitalization” retreat led by Dr. Roger Owens of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and a farewell dinner and worship service hosted by Mosaic Community Church.
Stop by the Balaka Room and take a look of at some of the items that are on display—gifts given by our Malawian siblings in Christ over the years.
We thank God and celebrate our partnership, as well as the many relationships that have been established and maintained over the last 25 years. We look forward to the years to come. Zikomo (Thank you).