Pakistan #1 - A Wonderful Reunion
A Wonderful Reunion
We are having a wonderful reunion with friends after a too long hiatus for The Outreach Foundation to return to Pakistan. Our last visit was before 2016 when visas were denied, followed by COVID.
The Outreach Foundation team in Pakistan is a stellar group of seasoned intercultural veterans, whether it be in Pakistan or other parts of Asia. Tom Boone (Associate Director for Mission) leads the team and is accompanied by trustees Nancy Fox, Ed Hurley, and Berry and Elizabeth Long. We’re pleased to be joined by Rev. Walter Thompson and Karen Winkler from First Presbyterian in Midland, TX, on their first trip with The Outreach Foundation though they have much experience in Asia. Also, Mark Mueller (Executive Director) is here despite having already spent 11 days in Europe!
We were warmly greeted by members of the board on Wednesday with flower garlands, big smiles, and greetings of hello in English and Salim or Peace in Urdu. Greeting our team included Veda Javaid, the amazing lady who directs the Presbyterian Education Board with oversight of many Presbyterian Christian schools across Pakistan, Rev. Dr. Majid Abel, now Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan and pastor of the Naulakha Presbyterian Church.
In the evening, we were welcomed by several Presbyterian pastors who are moderators of the various Presbyteries in Pakistan, as well as the current Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan. We heard much about the context and history of the PCP, including the challenges that face the church both externally and internally.
Though Pakistan means “Land of the Pure People” and on paper professes religious freedom, there is much that stands against both purity and Christians in particular. Pakistan is in the top ten of countries most persecuting Christians. We heard about blasphemy laws, in which anyone can claim another person has committed blasphemy against the Koran. A bank that was working with the churches before, has not declared itself Islamic thus precluding any business with Christians. Pressures from within are complex but seem to center around land disputes and competing moderators, which bog down the church’s leadership in court cases.
Still though the church is faithful, God is blessing long seasons of prayer, and these will be the focus of our visit. Tonight, we witnessed a blessing 50 years in the making! The government has finally returned four school properties belonging to the church (3 Presbyterian and 1 Catholic)! Our ecumenical dinner became a significant media event with private and public news outlets covering. In attendance were the archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church for Pakistan, the Bishop of the Anglican Church of Pakistan, the Vice-Rector from Forman Christian College and a number of other dignitaries. Each of them welcomed the Pakistani Minister for Minority and Religious Affairs, who formally announced the return of the school properties to the churches. Praises to God for this blessing were given on public television!
In tomorrow’s blog we will explain why the return of these properties is so vital to the church’s witness in Pakistan. For now, though, it is time to thank you for your prayers, which are sustaining our team and our friends here. What an incredible first day!
Grateful to God!
Ed Hurley
South Highland Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL
