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International Mission

The International Mission Committee coordinates the mission activities of Westminster around the world through direct partnerships, through the Presbyterian Church, USA, and in cooperation with mission organizations. Contact the committee at internationalmission@wpc-alex.org.

United Orphanage & Academy in Moi's Bridge, Kenya



Westminster's support for the United Orphanage & Academy began at its founding in 2001. The reconciliation of children from various ethnic backgrounds was a founding principle of the Orphanage. We have built dormitories, toilet facilities, dining hall, kitchen, office and storage space, dug a well, provided for construction to enable connection to the electric grid, and purchased a 14-passenger van using budgeted funds and contributions from individual members of the congregation and others.

There are currently ~55 children and youth living at the orphanage, ranging in age from 4 to 18, and 6 that are away at college that we support. There are almost 150 students attending the Academy, which goes from primary school through 8th grade. In addition to supporting the children living at the orphanage, Westminster (along with other U.S. churches that support this effort) continues to provide financial support for approximately 40 scholarship students from the surrounding area. Westminster resources also provide support for those children who continue past secondary school to college or technical school. It is our goal to give the children of the orphanage every chance to succeed in making the transition from youth to adult.

In February 2016, a group from Westminster and Old Presbyterian Meeting House visited UOA. We spent time with the children, visited the secondary schools they attend in Moi’s Bridge, met with the teachers and staff of the Academy, and worshiped in a local Presbyterian church. We also were able to discuss current and future needs and goals for UOA with Reverend Stephen Chege, Director and Co-founder of UOA, and celebrate the UOA's 10th anniversary. As part of the 10th anniversary celebration, we presented UOA with a plaque commemorating the first 10 years of this very special place and recognizing the contribution of Westminster member Henri Rush (1937-2014) to the founding and growth of UOA. Since our return, funds from Westminster along with a donation from the Rotary Club have been secured to install a new water system at the Orphanage which will provide running water to the kitchen and bathrooms when completed in 2017.

Westminter provides support for UOA with the Old Presbyterian Meeting House and Lewinsville Presbyterian Church through the United Orphanage & Academy Steering Committee. For more information about the UOA, email uoa@wpc-alex.org.

East Africa Missions

Westminster provides financial support to seminary students and a theological college in Zambia. We also provide financial support to Paula Cooper, the PCUSA Regional Liaison for East Central Africa.

Other International Missions

Faith Ministry: a faith-based organization working with impoverished communities in Reynosa, Mexico. Westminster has designated funds for their medical clinic and provides scholarships for two students.

Community Coalition for Haiti: Building on a relationship started after the catastrophic 2010 earthquake, Westminster sent funds to Community Coalition for Haiti to support the organization’s comprehensive development work in Haiti. In 2016, Westminster provided funds to support relief efforts following Hurricane Matthew.