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A Great Honor and Privilege

Spring 2025
Leslie Vogel
Free in Christ network of women
Leslie with leaders of the “Free in Christ” network of women - Mexican Communion of Reformed and Presbyterian Churches

Dear friends,

It has been a great honor, privilege, and responsibility to serve as a Presbyterian mission co-worker since 2013. Mission co-workers served at the invitation of and under the direction of partner churches and ministries throughout the world. I have been blessed to serve with siblings in Guatemala and México, and I am so grateful for the tremendous support I have received during these 12+ years of service.

three smiling women
Leslie, Honduran Katherine Rivas, Young Adult Volunteer with Frontera de Cristo, and Tracey King-Ortega, then PC(USA) World Mission area co-coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Frontera de Cristo (FDC) on the US/Mexico border in October 2024

The PC(USA) is changing its model of global engagement and is concluding all mission co-worker positions. While many of my colleagues and I grieve the ending of this particular model of ministry that has been a blessing to us, we know that God is not done with us and continues to call us to follow Jesus into the joys and sufferings of the world. I ask for your prayers for the leadership of PC(USA); your prayers are especially appreciated for discernment for our partners in Guatemala and México as they navigate the impacts of these decisions. Please pray for the former mission co-workers who have accepted new assignments in global ecumenical engagement as either national or international ecumenical liaisons.

frontero de cristo banner with vines growing on columns
Frontera de Cristo 1984-2024, 40 years cultivating relationships across borders 

The leadership of PCUSA has created a FAQ sheet – please email or message me if you would like to receive that document to learn more about the changes. Please see below for the Presbyterian News Service articles that detail the shifts in PC(USA)’s global mission strategy.

woman in blue dress leading worship in front of podium
Leslie and mission coworker colleague, the Rev. Dori Hjalmarson, celebrating Holy Communion and worshipping with the CMIRP - Mexican Communion of Reformed & Presbyterian Churches on the 12th anniversary of that denomination

As for me, please pray for me as well. My mother, who lived in Utah, passed away in December. Thus, I plan to continue living in Guatemala in my retirement to be geographically closer to my adult daughter and son.

Leslie Vogel

leslie.rev.vogel@gmail.com