Our Structures
The Board of Mission Overseas (BMO) is appointed by and responsible to the General Assemblyof the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI). Representative of the whole of PCI, membership of BMO is around 100 with a proportion of new members joining each year as others come to the end of their period of service.
Our Board Convener is also appointed by the General Assembly and can serve for a maximum term of seven years. The current Convener is Rev John Hanna, BSc BD, minister in Glendermott Presbyterian Church. He formerly served under BMO in Singapore and Timor (Indonesia) and took up office as Board Convener in June 2007.
The work of our Board is shared by four Assembly-appointed Committees (see below), the focus of each reflecting our Board's priorities. Committee Conveners are also General Assembly appointees and, like our Board Convener, they too can serve for a maximum term of seven years. From time to time, these committees may appoint small working-groups to help carry out detailed work on their behalf. Such groups normally have a 'time limited' and 'task specific' brief.
Mission Involvement Committee (MIC)
Convener: Rev Dr Mark Welsh, BSc PGCE PhD Dip Min, appointed June, 2009
Minister in Trinity, Greyabbey Presbyterian Church in the Ards Presbytery
Mission is the calling not simply of individual missionaries but of the whole Church at every level. MIC aims to provide resources that help develop the missional identity and responsibility of all our members; and, at the right time, enable appropriate and effective mission involvement overseas.
Leadership Development Committee (LDC)
Convener: Rev Prof Gordon Campbell, BA PGCE BD PhD, appointed June, 2006
Professor of New Testament Studies at Union Theological College, Belfast.
We rejoice in the growth and vitality of some of our partner churches, especially in the Southern Hemisphere. The focus of LDC highlights our desire to share with them in facing up to the challenges such growth brings, and our commitment to the equipping of indigenous church leaders.
Outreach Ministries Committee (OMC)
Convener: Rev Stephen Richmond, BD MSc, appointed June, 2006
Minister in Donegal Presbyterian Church in the Derry & Donegal Presbytery (est.2009)
Through OMC we are seeking to build on our existing relationships with partner churches around the world; sharing with them in God’s call to make disciples, especially amongst those who have never heard the gospel.
World Development Committee (WDC)
Convener: Rev Dr Mark Gray, BA PGCE MDiv PhD, appointed June, 2004
Minister in Bannside Presbyterian Church in the Iveagh Presbytery
WDC aims to see our Church share in God’s creative and just purposes in active compassion for all He has made, such that all peoples might know fullness of life in Jesus Christ. WDC is responsible for planning, promoting and overseeing the annual World Development Appeal which helps fund Christian Aid and Tearfund supported development projects in various parts of the world.
The Board and its ‘Assembly’ Committees normally meet twice yearly, in February or March, and again in September or October. Additional meetings are arranged, if needed.
The members of three 'Board' Committees – Finance, Personnel and Steering – are appointed by BMO; they meet as required, at various times throughout the year.
All presbyteries within PCI, and many congregations, have mission agents who seek to give a lead in ensuring that support for and involvement in overseas mission is an integral part of the life and work of the local congregation.
