Whitewater Valley Presbytery

Bill Yoder, a Presbyterian missionary serving in Thailand, visited our Presbytery October 12-19, 2007 as part of the PCUSA's Mission Challenge '07. Bill made presentations at Presbyterian churches in College Corner, Greenwood, Richmond, Fishers and Fort Wayne.

When Bill came to Richmond First, he spoke to a noon luncheon group of about 15 participants, and at an evening gathering of about 20 people. Those in attendance were most interested to hear about the McGilvary program which is training about a dozen students from Vietnam (in English), and how formal theological education is not allowed in Vietnam. Yet the Protestant church is growing rapidly there. Bill also shared a DVD and people gained a better understanding of McGilvary and the some 400 students who attend there. Bill also shared with the congregation about church discipline and congregational life in the Christian Churh of Thailand, relating it to a congregational study Richmond's First Presbyterian is involved in.

Bill Yoder was a blessing to the members at New Hope. After a lunch gathering of some elders and church leaders, Bill spoke to an afternoon gathering of some retired adults. He shared his story and DVDs. That evening, he was the featured speaker at New Hope Thursdays, which is a new Thursday night ministry that includes dinner followed by classes for all ages. His talk was very engaging and was highlighted by a question and answer period. New Hope is a congregation that doesn't have a relationship with a missionary yet. It has been the goal of New Hope to see it happen, and Bill's visit was a perfect way to move this goal along. They were thrilled to have Bill visit!