The Americas

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has 9,300 congregations which are organized into 170 presbyteries (district governing bodies) and 16 synods (regional governing bodies). The PC(USA)’s national denominational offices are based in Louisville, Kentucky — comprising the Office of the General Assembly, the Presbyterian Mission Agency, the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program and Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. The Board of Pensions is headquartered in Philadelphia and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Foundation is based in Jeffersonville, Indiana. The Presbyterian Mission Agency is the mission and ministry arm of the PC(USA). In countless ways and countless places, the Presbyterian Mission Agency inspires, equips and connects the PC(USA) in its many expressions to serve Christ in the world through new and existing communities of faith, hope, love and witness.

The closest international partners of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) live in the Central American, Mexican and Caribbean region. This gives Presbyterians the opportunity to get to know Christian brothers and sisters from the countries represented in the region because of the ease of travel and communication. As Presbyterians get to know these Christians they find that the economic situation of many is fragile. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) relates to a number of Christian institutions and churches in a manner that engenders trust and sharing.

Bordered by the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and home to the world’s largest river, highest mountain range outside Asia, and biggest rain forest, South America has a long history with Presbyterian mission work. The first Presbyterian missionaries arrived in Brazil in 1859, and the Presbyterian Church of Brazil was established in 1864. The PC(USA) now has partnerships with Presbyterian or Reformed denominations in eight South American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela. In addition it supports and works closely with AIPRAL (Association of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches in Latin America), a branch of the World Association of Reformed Churches. Through AIPRAL, the PC(USA) is in contact with churches from Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay.