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Our Missionary Families
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Sponsoring Our Presbyterian Missionary Family in Thailand
The new millennium marked the beginning of what we hope will become a new tradition at APC: the sponsorship of a mission family serving overseas. The Stewardship and Mission Committee is pleased to announce APC's sponsorship of Leith (far left) and Carol Fujii (far right) who are working in Bangkok as mission specialists for the PC (U.S.A.) serving in partnership with the Church of Christ in Thailand (CCT). Our Session allocated funds for this endeavor, and APC's Presbyterian Women graciously contributed additional support.
The vital role mission plays in the life of a congregation is explained by William T. Bryant of The Outreach Foundation:
Leith's responsibilities include teaching, assisting in designing and executing a program for lay theological training in the CCT, providing leadership for continuing education programs for pastors, and participating in outreach training among tribal groups. Carol provides ministry from the home and Leith is an instructor in theology and evangelism at the Bangkok Institute of Theology. Carol and Leith are members of the Church of Christ, Presbyterian in Chicago and have four children: Joy, Karin, Mark, and Lani.
Leith graduated in 1977 with a BS degree in oceanography from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and served as a U.S. Naval officer until 1982. He was an officer responsible for ship operations, navigation, and enlisted personnel aboard the USS AMERICA. Leith also was a department head responsible for the recruiting efforts of 130 personnel attached to the Navy Recruiting District in Glenview, Illinois. After leaving the navy Leith began work as an assistant to the pastor at the Church of Christ, Presbyterian in Chicago, Illinois.
Leith worked there for ten years, during which time he returned to school and received his Masters of Divinity degree in counseling from Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, and later a MA in linguistics and teaching English as a second language from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. Leith was a teaching assistant in the English language program at Northeastern for two years. From 1994 to 1998 Leith worked for Wright Community College in Chicago as an instructor. While working at Wright, Leith also was an adjunct professor at North Park Theological Seminary and an interim pastor at Grace Evangelical Covenant Church.
Carol earned her Bachelor's degree in art and education from the University of Maryland in College Park. She taught art in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, for two years and then was a short-term missionary to Tokyo, Japan, from 1979 to 1981 where she taught English and Bible. From 1994 to 1998 Carol taught in the Chicago Public Schools, first as a substitute teacher and then as a teacher at Hibberd Elementary School.
Of course we can't all quit our jobs, pack suitcases, and fly off to another continent to become missionaries. And our lives are already filled with significant mission challenges right here in Arlington (the Clothing Bank, Meals On Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, TACTS). But our sponsorship of a family answering God's call to serve abroad will help provide an understanding of an aspect of mission that most of us cannot experience firsthand. We particularly see this project as a wonderful learning opportunity for APC's children and young adults!
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