Elder Phares Nyaga Mithamo, from Kenya, was hosted by First Pres Maumee from Friday, October 11 – Sunday, October 19 as part of the Mission to the USA (MUSA) program through the Synod of the Covenant (Michigan and Ohio). The MUSA program links churches in the Synod of the Covenant with international church clergy and lay leaders. While Elder Phares was with us, he joined in the life of the church in worship, bible study, meals and more as cultural barriers were broken down and he truly became our brother in Christ.
The focus of the Synod’s MUSA program for the years 2017-2019 was Christian-Muslim relations. Elder Phares came to us from a majority Muslim country, and was a valuable resource to the Muslim-Christian Dialogue group, which meets in our church building. His world view was valuable to the entire church as we affirmed the unity of the church in an effort to foster oneness in the global community.