By Clay Quarterman, April 18, 2008

There are strange and wonderful moments in cross-cultural missions. This week was one of the strangest. We ACCOMPLISHED what we came here to do! We officially passed over all our authority to the national Presbyterian Church of Ukraine! This is a milepost, because it means God has raised up godly believers here who have banded together into 11 local churches, and it means God has raised up 11 spiritual leaders who have been trained, academically and practically. They have proven themselves in service to others, and we have turned over the whole thing to the Holy Spirit—to work in them, among them, and through them. It’s a BIG THING!

But, as the MTW-Ukraine team leader, Eric Huber, said, “This is not a birth, but a Bar-Mitzvah!” We have seen this coming, year-by-year. We planned for it and worked into it gradually, but it is still a moment to celebrate. We have officially “passed the baton”. Hallelujah! Praise God for His internal, spiritual, and maturing work!

So, what now? We are certainly not done, for the church continues to desire our help. In fact, I am one of the few “left behind” as a continuing part of Presbytery. Since I am president of their seminary, they want me as an official member. However, this also means I am put on various committees! I am a member of the following:

Theology Committee, Church Planting Committee, Izmail Church Commission, Kotovskovo Church Plant Commission (north Odessa), and TULIP Publishing Board of Directors.

So I manage to stay busy!! This is in addition to being President of the Seminary, which involves budgets and board meetings, staff meetings and scheduling, recruiting and promotion, fund-raising and correspondence – in addition to teaching, grading papers, and working personally with students!! I keep a busy schedule.

But again, What now? It’s not only that we stay busy, but we continue to play ongoing roles on into the future. We’re also asking What ELSE the Lord may have for us here. Should we expand our work? Should we expand our territory? Should we seek to unite with other groups or institutions? Should we train Ukrainians for mission and create new mission works in which they can cooperate with us? Pray for the Lord to make his will clear.

But this is also one time that we can sit back in pleasure, humility, and joy, saying with the Apostle John, “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the Truth.” (3 John 4)

Mazeltov! Congratulations to the Evangelical Presbyterian Churches of Ukraine!