Mission Thursdays
GEMN’s Mission Thursdays foster conversation about mission issues, particular challenges, and how God’s mission is being pursued in diverse parts of the world. Mission Thursdays began when the Covid pandemic prompted GEMN to cancel the 2020 Missio. Online webinars were so fruitful that we are continuing the series into the indefinite future.
The monthly, one-hour webinars are free and open to the public. Stay tuned in Global Mission News for the date and topic of the next Mission Thursday – and register in advance. Typically the webinars begin at 2pm Eastern.
Here are our most recent Mission Thursdays, along with the presenters:
6/25/26
Compelled by Faith: Southern African Faith Leaders Combat Malaria in Partnership with the C.J. Flowers Foundation
anchored by Rebecca Vander Meulen, executive director, C.J. Flowers Foundation
Mr. Chris Flowers, founder, C.J. Flowers Foundation
Bishop Farai Mutamiri, Diocese of Harare, Zimbabwe
Bishop Patrick Djuulume, Diocese of Namibia
Ms. Constance Njovu, Isdell-Flowers Cross-Border Malaria Initiative
Ms. Makuwa Mambwe, Faith Leader Advocacy for Malaria Elimination
5/28/26
Hands, Hearts and Harvests in Tanzania
anchored by Canon Robin Newman, Diocese of New York & GEMN Board
Bishop of Dickson Chilongani, Diocese of Central Tanganyika
Canon George Lawi, General Secretary, Anglican Church of Tanzania
Ms. Joyce and Mr. Tom Smith, St. Pzaaul’s Church, Richmond, Virginia
Dr. Emmanuel Mringo, Mackay House
Mr. Brian Medcalf, Tanzania Development Trust
Dr. Henry Ziegler, Health Taninia
3/12/26
Ministry in the Diocese of Cyprus & the Gulf
Very Rev. Walter Brownridge, Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral
Nicosia, Cyprus. Special Episcopal mission appointee
anchored by Canon Titus Presler, GEMN executive director
Past Mission Thursdays sessions
12/11/25
Challenges and Opportunities of the Episcopal Church in Cuba
Rt. Rev. Angel Rivera, Bishop of Cuba
Friends of the Episcopal Church in Cuba:
Ms. Pat & Mr. Jeremy Cage
Rev. Mark Pendleton
11/13/25
Youth in World Mission
Youth from the Diocese of Maine
Ms. Emily Keniston, formation director, Diocese of Maine
10/9/25
Episcopal Missionaries Today: An Overview
Ms. Elizabeth Boe, mission personnel officer for the Episcopal Church
Domestic & Foreign Missionary Society
anchored by Canon Titus Presler, GEMN executive director
9/11/25
The Role of Deacons in World Mission
Deacon Nancy Searby – Diocese of Virginia: Tanzania & South Sudan
Canon Deacon Robin Newman – Diocese of New York: Tanzania
6/12/25
Religious Orders in Global Mission
anchored by Sister Sarah Margaret, Society of St. Margaret
Sister Kéthia, Society of St. Margaret
Brother Timothy Jolley, Order of the Holy Cross
Sister Monica Clare, Community of St. John the Baptist
Sister Monica Clare, Community of St. Francis
Brother Charlie McCarron, Third Order of Society of St. Francis
Brother Christopher John, Society of St. Francis
4/24/25
Mission amid the Crisis of Haiti
anchored by Rev. Jean Beniste, GEMN Board
Mr. Wilky Avril, chair of Diocese of Haiti Standing Committee
Ms. Miranda Phelps – Education Haiti
Mr. Russell Collins – Friends of St. Marc in Trouin
Mr. Jim Grant – Global Birthing Home Foundation
Mr. Nick Candee – Haiti Nursing Foundation
Ms. Terry Franzen – Haiti Companions
Ms. Tram Jones – Light from Light
Ms. Muspratt – Mission in Haiti
Sister Sarah – Society of St. Margaret
Ms. Beth Shires – South Florida Haiti Project
Ms. Celeste Bundy – Education Equals Hope
Dr. Janet O’Flynn – Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation
3/20/25
God’s Mission in Honduras
Bishop Lloyd Allen & Canon Consuelo Sanchez, Diocese of Honduras
anchored by Canon Titus Presler, GEMN executive director
2/20/25
How to Celebrate World Mission Sunday
Canon Titus Presler, GEMN executive director
1/23/25
A Word from the Standing Commission on World Mission
Ms. Emily Keniston, SCWM chair
anchored by Canon Titus Presler, GEMN executive director
8/29/24
The Global Mission of the Diocese of West Texas
Ms. Catherine Markette, West Texas mission coordinator
anchored by Canon Titus Presler, GEMN executive director
3/27/24
How does Global Mission Relate to Christian Unity?
members of the GEMN Board:
Rev. Walter Brownridge, former missionary in South Africa
Rev. Helen Van Koevering, former missionary in Mozambique
Rev. Paul Rajan, former missionary in South India
Ms. Molly O’Brien, active in Cristosal
Canon Titus Presler, former missionary in Zimbabwe & Pakistan
2/15/24
The Community of St. John the Baptist’s Work in Cameroon
Sister Monica Clare, superior
anchored by Canon Titus Presler, GEMN executive director
1/18/24
Nurturing Peace in the Holy Lands
Rev. Nicholas Porter, Jerusalem Peacebuilders founding director
anchored by Canon Titus Presler, GEMN executive director
10/19/23
How to Organize a Diocesan World Mission Conference
Mr. Patrick Kidd, chair, Diocese of New York Global Mission Commission
Dr. Leon Spencer, member, Diocese of North Carolina Global Mision
Chartered Committee
anchored by Canon Titus Presler, GEMN executive director
3/16/23
Mission Companionships in the Middle East
anchored by Mr. Buck Blanchard of Stand with Iraqi Christians
Stand With Iraqi Christians – Rev. Chris Bishop
Diocese of Cyprus & the Gulf – Canon Bill Schwartz
American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem –
Ms. Eileen Spencer
Jerusalem Peace Builders – Revs. Nicholas Porter & Jack Karn
Episcopal Relief & Development – Mr. Sean McConnell
Global Refugee Mission of New England – Ms. Terry Jennings
2/16/23
Mission Companionship amid Unrest and War in the Sudans
Mr. Dane Smith of the American Friends of the Episcopal Church
in the Sudans
Rev. Dr. Richard Jones, AFRECS & retired VTS missiologist
+ a South Sudanese church leader
12/15/22
Mission in Haiti: Challenges and Opportunities Today
anchored by Rev. Jean Beniste, GEMN Board
Canon Frantz Casseus, executive director of Diocese of Haiti
+ representatives of 11 mission agencies involved in Haiti
11/17/22
Lambeth 2022’s Implications for World Mission
Bishop Ian Douglas, retired bishop of Connecticut
anchored by Canon Titus Presler, GEMN executive director
10/13/22
General Convention 2022’s Implications for World Mission
Ms. Martha Gardner, former SCWM chair
Rev. David Copley, director, Office of Global Partnerships
anchored by Canon Titus Presler, GEMN executive director
10/1/20
Building on Companions’ Talents during the Covid Pandemic
Mr. Dale Stanton, CEO of Five Talents
anchored by Canon Titus Presler, GEMN executive director
9/17/20
How the Pandemic has Affected Episcopal Church Mission Personnel
Ms. Elizabeth Boe, mission personnel director in Office of Global
anchored by Canon Titus Presler, GEMN executive director
Partnerships
9/10/20
Forming Christians for Mission amid the Covid Pandemic
Rev. Holly Hartman, convener of GEMN’s Mission Formation Program
anchored by Canon Titus Presler, GEMN executive director
9/3/20
Building Mission Companionship amid the Covid Pandemic
Mr. Bill Kunkle, executive director of Province IX Development Group
Rev. Jeff Bower, Diocese of Indianapolis Global Mission Commission
anchored by Canon Titus Presler, GEMN executive director