AGENDA FOR August 2011 MMN CONFERENCE (updated 8/08/11)

Mercy is the first woman in the history of the Blantyre Synod, to hold the position of Vice Moderator. She was placed there by 13 of the 18 presbyteries who voted for her at the Synod's Annual General Meeting in August 2007.  

Frank Dimmock -  Africa Health Liaison for PC(USA)

Frank and Nancy Dimmock have been under appointment as PC(USA) missionaries since June 1 1985, which happens to be the day they were married. In fact, they interrupted their honeymoon to be commissioned during the General Assembly that year.

The Dimmocks’ latest appointment, which began in August 2007, is to Lesotho, where Frank serves as PC(USA)’s Africa Health Liaison. He works with partner churches and ecumenical agencies to develop programs for children. In addition, he coordinates the Christian Health Associations of Africa and is part-time advisor to the Christian Health Association of Lesotho. His work requires him to travel frequently to Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Dimmocks’ first appointment to mission service was also in Lesotho, where they were assigned to serve at Scott Hospital, a mission hospital in Morija.

After two terms of service in Lesotho, they moved to Malawi in 1992, where Frank became the health coordinator for the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) and began his work as regional health consultant for the PC(USA) in southern Africa. Frank coordinated the CCAP’s health management and administration and facilitated the sharing of ideas and solutions to common problems and concerns. He also assisted with communication among the three synods in Malawi.

Nancy supported this ministry with hospitality through their home and raising their seven children. She also found time to found and coordinate the Crisis Nursery, an orphanage for children whose parents were victims of HIV/AIDS.

“It has been a tremendous blessing to me personally to visit the countries of this region,” writes Frank, “and establish relationships with the various health providers. I have met quite a few saints of every culture and color working with joy and devotion in some very difficult circumstances. It has been a privilege to provide a listening ear to those needing to share about their frustrations and problems. And even without providing solutions, they have been encouraged to have been able to share and to have felt understood. I am convinced of the importance of this job and appreciate the insight of the PC(USA) that recognized the need and potential and made it happen.”

Frank earned a B.S. in botany and zoology at North Carolina State University and an M.P.H. in epidemiology and tropical medicine from Tulane University School of Public Health in New Orleans. He had previously served as a volunteer in mission and later as a mission specialist in public health in Zaire before being appointed as a full-term mission co-worker.