Outreach is at the heart of the Christian life. Christ
calls us to both witness to our faith, and to reach out to
those in need. The people of First Presbyterian Church are
involved in a number of outreach ministries in our own
community, and beyond.
Sharing the Gospel
Worship at First Presbyterian is centered
around Scripture. "The Word" is read, preached, sung and
prayed in our worship. This centering on the promises of
God in Scripture both informs and inspires us as we go out
and try to live faithfully in our daily lives. Our members
frequently share with others how God has touched their
lives, offering hope in the midst of worry or pain.
Feeding the Hungry
Our congregation supports Christians United
Outreach Center with financial gifts, donations, and
volunteer hours. We also support the local soup kitchen,
Our Daily Bread, the Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels and our
denomination's "2 cents a meal" program which provides
hunger relief both locally and around the world.
Comforting the Afflicted
Our congregation supports a variety of local
and regional ministries providing shelter and care,
including the Family Crisis Center, Randolph County
Helpline, Prison Ministry, Hospice, Habitat for Humanity,
Room at the Inn, Alpha House, MERCE Clinic, Medical
Benevolence Foundation, Randolph Pregnancy Center, and
Barium Springs Home for Children.
Supporting the Community
First Presbyterian Church offers meeting
space free of charge for a variety of community events and
groups, including Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, 4-H,
Habitat for Humanity, the Senior Adult Association,
community concerts, and a Latino congregation that worships
in our building on Saturdays. We also provide a safe, warm
place for many teenagers to go before school in the
mornings, providing juice and snacks before school.
Beyond our Borders
Our congregation supports Christian ministry
in Turkey, Japan, Russia, and Zambia, and has been
particularly involved with a Christian mission in Rio Verde,
Brazil. A team from our church goes to Brazil at least once
a year, and we also have volunteers who serve at a work camp
in a rural area of West Virginia each summer. Our youth
make mission trips each year to work and witness in areas of
need. We also help support a mission hospital in Mwandi,
Africa, and provide support to the Pilgrims of Ibillin, an
organization that works to foster understanding between
Israelis and Palestinians. We have recently established a
"sister relationship" with a congregation in Novy Dvor,
Belarus.
In Times of Crisis
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is an
excellent way to provide help for those affected by natural
disaster and humanitarian crisis. Because our denomination
pays the administrative costs for this agency, 100% of your
gifts to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance go for their
intended purpose. Learn more by going to
www.pcusa.org/pda.