The Story of Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship

Our History

It all started in 1981 when Dr. Ralph Winter (missionary statesman) initiated what was then called the United Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship. It was to be a Presbyterian version of the growing worldwide frontier mission movement to reach out to the final frontiers in mission. He formed a board, and PFF (to use today’s name) was approved by the denomination in 1981.

Dr. Winter challenged Rev. Harold Kurtz (veteran missionary) to take the leadership of Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship. With the blessing of the PCUSA, Harold began to tell the story of the 'Unreached' to churches all over the US. In 1989 Harold moved from part-time to full-time in the position, as he retired from the active pastorate. In AD 2000 he “retired” again and became Senior Associate for PFF.

With the movement firmly under way and the number of churches eager to learn about Frontier Mission increasing rapidly, it became evident that more hands were needed. From 1993 until now several gifted people have been added to the staff. Currently eleven passionate mission mobilizers are spread across the country, and two highly capable ladies serve in the national office in Richfield, MN. As of April 1, 2005, Rev. Bill Young has become the new Executive Director.

PFF maintains a close relationship with the General Assembly Council of the PCUSA as a Validated Mission Support Group. The Covenant was reaffirmed in 2006. We work in direct partnership with the Office of International Evangelism of the Worldwide Ministries Division.

The PC(USA) and PFF have seen the number of people groups being reached through their efforts and their partner churches grow to over 200. Giving to Frontier Mission projects and mobilization efforts has grown to over 1.6 million dollars annually, and there are now many missionaries of the PC(USA) in frontier mission work.

Our Vision Statement

The vision which guides PFF is summarized in the following:

For Every People: An Indigenous Church
For Every Church: A Mission Vision

Our Mission Statement

In 1999 the PFF Board approved a mission statement encapsulating the mission of PFF.

We challenge, mobilize and empower Presbyterian congregations into global partnerships that establish indigenous churches among unreached people groups.

Our Core Values

In 1999 the PFF Board approved a Core Values statement to flesh out our priorities:

Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship is a missional servant community. We are...

Committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Seeking the Empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Rooted in Scripture and Prayer
Devoted to faithful stewardship of life and possessions
Boldly proclaiming the gospel to every people
Serving the Presbyterian Church (USA)
Uplifting the congregation’s faithfulness to God’s mission calling
Focusing on the congregation as a wellspring for mission initiative
Calling forth People Movements to Jesus among unreached people groups
Advocating the indigenous expressions of the body of Christ in all people groups.
Supporting the planting of indigenous churches committed to God’s Mission
Advocating a partnership approach to mission
Committed to the unity of the global church in mission