St. Andrews Presbyterian Church

Many of you may remember my friend and colleague, Mark Adams, who visited with us a couple of years ago to talk about border issues and Cafe Justo.  He has just received the Pioneer in Mission award from Columbia Theological Seminary.  Congratulations, Mark!

The Rev. Mark Adams was named the recipient of the Pioneer in Mission award. Adams is the U.S. coordinator for Frontera de Cristo, part of Presbyterian Border Ministry. Adams helps people on both sides of the U.S./Mexican border establish conversations around theology, politics and social issues.

Realizing that employment and just wages are vital, Adams worked to create a sustainable small-scale coffee company called Café Justo.

Speaking around laughter and tears, Adams admitted that former CTS President Doug Oldenburg had once referred to him as a burr under his saddle.

“Essentially,” Adams quipped, “he was calling me a pain in the a**, in the nicest way possible!

“I’m grateful to God for all those who taught me,” Adams said, recalling a class on marriage taught by Charlie Cousar. “What I learned ultimately led me to my wife and partner, Miriam. We share a common mission and discipleship I wouldn’t have had without Cousar’s example.”