The next Coordinator of MNA should embrace the spirit of the founders of the PCA. He should shed the entanglements of racial and social issues and embrace an approach to ministry that is “Faithful to the Scriptures, True to the Reformed Faith, and Obedient to the Great Commission.”

The former Coordinator of Mission to North America (MNA) announced his resignation on September 12, 2025, after what can only be described as a tumultuous final nine months. The controversies began when MNA’s Refugee and Immigrant Ministry webpage posted information offering advice to illegal immigrants avoiding detainment by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.

Another controversy arose when the Coordinator agreed to speak at a racially exclusive event honoring Black History Month, reserved for black members of the congregation and their families. Facing public backlash, he then doubled down on his commitment to racially exclusive affinity group events for ethnic minorities in Reformed churches. Reformed and more broadly evangelical news outlets publicized this controversy, creating a public relations problem for the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).

As if these theological controversies were not enough to write home about, the Permanent Committee of MNA had to grapple with serious financial issues, including a roughly $2,000,000 shortfall for 2024 and significantly strained cash flow at the start of 2025. Things turned from bad to worse as MNA delivered its annual report to the PCA’s General Assembly in Chattanooga, TN.

The MNA Committee of Commissioners voted 29-26-2 to recommend another term for the then-current Coordinator of MNA. The General Assembly vigorously debated the issue, with over one-third of the Assembly voting against his reelection. The Assembly later debated a motion to dock the Coordinator’s pay by 10% after it was announced that he had accepted a raise despite MNA’s financial struggles. The final straw that appears to have broken the camel’s back came as a video posted on X showing the Coordinator applauding and offering a prayer of blessing for a PCA pastor leaving to go to the Roman Catholic Church — all during a service where the outgoing pastor administered the Lord’s Supper with the help of “Shepherdesses.”

Truly, as one recounts all the controversies and challenges faced by MNA in the past 9 months, we have entered the realm of a “cautionary tale.”

A friend once told me an old Irish proverb that is very relevant to this moment in the PCA: “You can’t move forward while looking back.” We must look forward to a new era for MNA and the PCA rather than dwelling on the mistakes of the past. However, we must also move forward while learning from past mistakes to avoid repeating them. What should be the primary focus of the MNA Permanent Committee as it searches for a new Coordinator? What could the next Coordinator bring to the table that would help MNA move beyond recent controversies and difficulties?

The next Coordinator should transform MNA with more effective management.

The next man to take the office of Coordinator of MNA needs to demonstrate financial responsibility and strong management skills. These skills are essential for any PCA Permanent Committee Coordinator. Still, they are crucial for MNA at this time as it aims to recover from what appears to be a multi-million-dollar deficit and rebuild trust with those in the denomination who are unsure that MNA is on the right path and worthy of substantial financial support.

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