Seventy people gathered at Revesby Presbyterian Church to give thanks to God for the service of David Pilgrim to Mission Partners as covenor and committee member. David’s wife, Devona was also recognised for her support of David and Mission Partner’s work.
Having joined the then Australian Presbyterian World Mission committee at the encouragement of Rev Robert Benn eighteen years ago, David assumed the position of convenor four years later.
This extended service to the cause of cross cultural mission began after David had already enjoyed a distinguished career as a lecturer in engineering at the University of New South Wales.
As convenor of a committee which has employs a director to carry out the various aspects of their work, David served a dual role, both dealing with the administrative denomination aspects of the mission and also providing care and guidance to the two directors who served during his tenure. (Rev Robert Benn and Rev Bill Lutton)
During the evening David responded to a series of questions which enabled all those present to share in David’s reflections on mission partners’ growth during his tenure.
Sources of satisfaction were the consolidation of work among indiginous peoples under mission partners’ oversight; the appreciation which pesonnel serving in Papua New Guinea expressed when David visited them in Ukarumpa; and the growth of the Youth Partners and Trades Partners short term mission programs.
Looking forward David expressed concern that new opportunities might be pursued at the neglect of consolidating existing contacts and that support of training church leaders in Vanuatu remain a priority.
A very satisfying and inspiring evening for all involved. David and Devona Pilgrim have demonstrated the fruitful service which all Christians can offer to the greater ministry of the church, particularly in later seasons of life.
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