Malawi partnership
East Liberty Presbyterian Church, along with other PC(USA) churches in the U.S., has a partnership with Malawi, a small and very poor land-locked country located in central east Africa. The Malawi Mission Network is among more than 25 networks that connect Presbyterians who share a common mission interest. Most participants are involved in mission partnerships through congregations, presbyteries or synods. Network members come together to coordinate efforts, share best practices and develop strategies. The Pittsburgh Presbytery is one of three Presbyterys in the U.S. who have an ongoing relationship with Malawi.
In 2009, ELPC member Peta Harrington-Cole traveled to Malawi as part of the Pittsburgh Presbytery's mission there. Each year, the PC(USA) sends representatives to Malawi and invites representatives from Malawi to visit congregations here. The country regularly suffers from both drought and floods, and HIV / AIDS is a major concern.
 One of the hallmarks of our denomination is the support for global mission that Presbyterians have demonstrated for more than a century. In Africa, some of the oldest and largest health care facilities were founded by the Presbyterian Church. In many parts of the undeveloped world, church-supported health programs are the only accessible, affordable source of preventive measures and treatment for people in poor and remote areas. The long tradition of financial support by Presbyterians has allowed these programs to continue their history of service. In recent years, Presbyterians increasingly want to go beyond financial support for an overseas mission project — they want to DO something tangible and in person.
During the past decade, more and more Presbyterian churches have sent teams of church members to provide "hands-on" assistance to the health programs of our global partners. As more and more Presbyterians "catch the passion" for overseas missions, the Internatio nal Health and Development Office has been called on to facilitate congregations' mission experiences with helpful advice and guidance.
The PC(USA) has been very much involved with its partner churches’ health and educational ministries, including theological education, through congregational relationships and both long-term and volunteer personnel. One major focus is on orphans and day care centers for orphans. Other ministries are youth projects, leadership development, and the Chingali Project, a Presbyterian Disaster Assistance pilot project that is feeding 50,000 people and helping to revitalize crop production. The Presbyterians were influential in standing up for oppressed minorities in 1994 and bringing about a multi-party democracy.
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