Missionaries of the World

Christian Solidarity Worldwide has called upon Mohammed Morsi to uphold civil and religious liberties. The religious rights organisation welcomed the election of Egypt's first democratically elected president at the weekend but voiced concern over the influence of the military and the Muslim Brotherhood. In his victory speech, Mr Morsi pointed to an inclusive government and the importance of building national unity across the religious divide, stating that “Muslims and Christians are advocates of civilisation and construction". He also pledged “respect for human rights, maintaining rights of women and children". "Egypt is for all Egyptians; all of us are equals in terms of rights," he said.

Churches are playing a vital role in tackling the spread of HIV and Aids and breaking cultural stigma, according to a new report from Christian Aid. The report contradicts the popular notion that faith communities are an obstacle to the effective treatment and prevention of HIV and Aids. Whilst acknowledging that abstinence remains the most reliable way of avoiding exposure to HIV, the Christian Aid-supported work takes the approach that this cannot be taught in isolation.

The head of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the UK has spoken of his hope for positive reform in Egypt after the election of Mohammed Morsi as president. The Muslim Brotherhood’s candidate is Egypt’s first democratically elected president, coming to power 16 months after the fall of Hosni Mubarak’s regime. In his victory speech, Mr Morsi promised to be a “president for all Egyptians”.

Council for World Mission has appointed Rev Dr Collin Cowan as the organisation’s new General Secretary at its annual trustee body meeting in Hong Kong. Dr Cowan, General Secretary of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands (UCJCI), will begin his new role at the start of 2011. In his acceptance speech, he expressed humility and gratitude for the vote of confidence the organisation had shown in calling him to such an esteemed position.

UK church tells need for missionaries from abroad The United Kingdom was once a missionary sending nation, but after years of secularization, a new poll has found that Christians in the UK are increasingly looking to the overseas church to help in the work of spreading the Gospel. In a survey of more than 1,100 UK Christians, 74% agreed that the UK needed missionaries from other countries to come and bring the Gospel to the people. This figure was supported by 68% who stated that out of all the world's regions, the UK should receive the highest priority for church mission, prayer and support.

Reverend Samuel Parker, (1779–1866) was an American Missionary in Oregon, United States. He was the first Presbyterian Missionary in Oregon. He scouted locations for missions, including a location for the Whitman Mission in present Washington State and traveled with Dr.Marcus Whitman. He worked as a pastor of the Congregational Church in Middlefield, Mass in New Yard for prolonged time and he answered the call for missionaries in 1834.

Dr. Samuel Martin Jordan (1871-1952) was an American Presbyterian Missionary in Iran, founder and President of the American College of Tehran. He was known as the "Father of Modern Education in Iran". He was born on January 6, 1871 near Stewartstown, Pennsylvania, United States to James Cowden Jordan and Mary Rosanna Mitchell. Dr. Jordan was named after his famous clergyman great-grandfather, Samuel Martin and grew up on his parents' farm in childhood as a good boy.