26 February 2009

Adventist Mission Director returns to homeland

No one likes farewells despite knowing that a missionary can be called anytime anywhere.

Rick McEdward, his wife Marcia and their two children, Julia and Joshua, left early morning of March 2 to respond to a call of planting a church in Houston, Texas; and for the much-needed attention due his family which has been so many times interrupted by his constant travels to the wide territory that spans 18 countries of the southern Asia-Pacific region.

Rick came to the southern Asia-Pacific region in 2001 to serve as Global Mission director and church growth consultant at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Sri Lanka (SLM). After working for about five years at SLM he was elected Adventist Mission director for the Adventist regional headquarters (SSD)in 2005 at the world session of the church in St Louis, Missouri.

“In his travels mostly to the remote parts of the region where global mission pioneers work many of which were un-entered areas for the church, Rick was identified for his kindly manner as he immersed with the people just like being one of them regardless of race, culture, beliefs and practices, and religious background,” said his fellow church workers.

His wife taught and started at the same year in Sri Lanka as a Home School teacher, among many other responsibilities. At SSD, she was Community Outreach coordinator. Julia and Joshua who help their parents in community outreach and activities have already formed lasting friendships with the SSD folks, especially children of their age.

The SSD family will surely miss the McEdwards–Rick for his kindly manner; Marcia for her warmth, leadership and positive attitude.

Through tears, laughter and reminisced memories, at the farewell party, the McEdwards expressed how much they will miss their home and family members at SSD. [AND staff]