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Their new assignment is to encourage and develop partnerships between churches and presbyteries of the U.S. and México. Once again, they are helping coordinate short-term mission trips and serving as a link between PC(USA) and our partner church.
In their previous ministry on the border, the Thomases worked with their Mexican counterpart in the state of Sonora to coordinate short-term mission trips for visiting delegations from U.S. churches. They took care of logistics and provided educational opportunities for U.S. Presbyterians who wanted to participate in service projects in border communities. The Thomases were focused on evangelism and the development of self-sustaining churches, facilitating cross-cultural learning experiences with a goal of fostering understanding and spiritual growth on both sides of the border.
Dave had a desire to serve Christ since his junior high days in Circleville, Ohio. He has a bachelor of arts degree from Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio, with a major in sociology and a minor in communications. After college, he studied for three semesters toward a master of divinity degree at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, but withdrew from the seminary to pursue a career in broadcasting. After 19 years in radio, working as an announcer, news reporter, news director, and station manager, he changed careers and became director of communications for YMCA of the Rockies, handling marketing, public relations and advertising for its two conference and family centers at Estes Park and Winter Park, Colorado. He held that position for more than 16 years before answering the call to participate in mission in Mexico.
A native of Knife River, Minnesota, Susan graduated from St. Luke’s School of Nursing in nearby Duluth. For ten years she worked at Estes Park Medical Center where her duties included labor and delivery, nursery, and emergency room. For the next 14 years she worked as a nurse in the emergency room at Boulder Community Hospital in Boulder, Colorado. Susan was drawn to mission work through her involvement in a church in Oregon, when she was working there briefly in a cancer unit. She once applied for and was offered an opportunity to do mission work in Pakistan, but political unrest in that country and concerns about her father’s health prevented her from accepting the offer.
The Thomases are members of Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies (PCUSA) in Estes Park, Colorado, part of the Presbytery of Plains and Peaks. Dave was a member of the music and worship advisory committee, youth team, handbell choir, a men’s quartet. He served as a confirmation class teacher, worship leader, and usher. Susan served as a leader of the weekly senior high Bible study, worked in the after-school program for middle-schoolers, and was active in a weekly non-denominational women’s Bible study.
Susan and Dave are the parents of a daughter, Jennifer, who lived on the border with them for over five years but is now living in Longmont, Colorado.
Birthdays:
Dave - January 2
Susan - November 17
Jennifer - January 19
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