We Support:
Local
Missions
The mission of the Recovery Court is to eliminate the abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Changing behaviors will change lives. We support them by providing them space in the church and a group of volunteers provides refreshments.
Every year, First Presbyterian Church donates funds and sponsors walkers in the CROP Hunger Walk. CROP Walks are community-wide events sponsored by Church World Service and organized by local congregations to raise funds to end hunger at home and worldwide. CROP Hunger Walks help to provide food, water, and resources that empower people to meet their own needs.
Several times a year, our mission committee sponsors a Feeding America food truck. Volunteers are asked to come and help with the food distribution and help carry food to clients’ vehicles.
This program enables older adults struggling to live independently to stay in their own homes. Trained staff help with homemaking, personal care services, and nutrition.
A local mission in our community is important to us. Our Hand2Hand food pantry provides weekend food to local school children. In September-May, weekly bags of food are packed and delivered to local schools by volunteers of all ages, 5 years – 85 years old! It’s a fun way to serve as a family!
Questions? Contact Julie Kremer, Chris Bussell, Lisa Tobin, or the church staff: [email protected]
Visit h2hkids.org
First Presbyterian is a proud member of the Housing Ministry Collaborative (or HMC) which is a consortium of 9 area churches and Love In Action that work together to provide vital and life-changing support to people in our community that need a helping hand… to keep a roof over their heads, heat and light in their homes, and/or a chance to finally get control of their housing and utility needs. They are also provided financial education to be able to move forward in better control of their own budgets. Together, we have assisted hundreds of families in our community in achieving a more financially secure and brighter future!
At Kids Hope USA, we believe that all kids matter to Jesus and that the local church is uniquely called to care for children in their community who would benefit from another caring, reliable relationship.
Research shows that the common factor in determining a child’s future success is if they have stable, committed, healthy relationships with adults in their lives. For Kids Hope USA students, one of those relationships gets to be with their mentor.
Through proven church-school partnerships, mentors stand alongside parents, teachers, principals and counselors to ensure kids that they are valued and loved. Through the power of relationship, kids build resilience and a brighter future.
In 2023 First Presbyterian Church began a partnership with Griffin Elementary School, pairing 9 volunteers with 9 students in a mentoring program. Students and mentors meet for one hour once a week. This one-on-one attention of another caring and consistent adult in a student’s life makes a difference!
Visit kidshopeusa.org
This ministry provides twenty-seven areas of help for those in need in our community, including a free dental clinic, a free health clinic, food pantry, clothing and household ministry, furniture and appliance ministry, bicycle ministry, transportation ministry, the laundry hub, God’s Guys Handyman ministry, budget counseling, life skills classes, a men’s shelter (Harbor Hall), as well as Hope House, a women’s shelter. Many of our members have volunteered to sort and organize food for distribution in the Love in Action warehouse as well as Grace Gardens, Love in Action’s community garden.
Visit loveinactiontricities.org
Mosaic Counseling has been providing professional Christian counseling for people in Ottawa County for over 42 years. No one is ever turned away. Their services connect individuals and families to hope and healing.
Project Ripple Effect is back after a 4-year hiatus, and we need your help in identifying worthy organizations that may need just that little bit of extra financial help. In 2019, your FPGH mission committee distributed one-time-only distributions for 12 out of the 21 organization requests and ranged from $250 to $1,000. The total distribution was $5,000.
Some examples from the 2019 requests included funding for tutors,
scholarships, funds to build handicap carts, and funds for a clothing
closet, just to name a few. This year we want to do even more and have committed up to $10,000 to worthy causes that you help identify.
The committee will be accepting Project Ripple Effect 2.0 application forms until September 12, at which point all the projects will be reviewed by various members of the mission committee. While not all projects may be funded, the amount of available funds has grown.
Forms and directions are available in the office or on the table just inside the door at the Clinton Street entrance (you may also download one here). Completed forms should be returned to the office as early as possible. Requests of up to $1,000 are being considered. Please help us to help others.
Reach the Forgotten (formerly known as Forgotten Man Ministries) has been serving Michigan county jails for over 55 years. The mission is to provide Christ-centered hope and healing through biblically-based, chaplain-led, volunteer jail ministries. The vision is for every incarcerated person to experience new life in Christ and develop healthy family, church and community relationships.
First Presbyterian Church recently began working with the RTF Ministry in the Ottawa County Jail in January 2023 and is supporting the ministry with both volunteers and some financial support.
Visit jailministry.org
The Salvation Army makes a difference in people’s lives by offering a food pantry, assistance with budgeting, utilities, rental assistance, housing and other needs. They also provide a children’s character-building program midweek after school. Camping programs are offered to children during the summer.
Supper House is a program that provides dinner Monday through Saturday to anyone in need of a good meal. On the 4th Monday of each month, members of First Presbyterian Church volunteer to help serve food and provide fellowship at Temple United Methodist Church in Muskegon Heights (carpool available.)
Our Supper House team really needs more volunteers in order to continue this vital service to the community. For more information or to volunteer, contact Karen Losee at (248) 495-2746
The mission of The People Center is to provide a safe place for the people of the area to come, to be heard, and to receive practical assistance in an atmosphere of dignity and trust. In times of emergency or uncertainty, we will respond with food, clothing, transitional housing and access to other area resources.
For more information or to volunteer, contact the church office.
Tri-Cities Area Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical Christian organization founded in 1989. TCA Habitat has since built 60 simple, decent and affordable homes in the Tri-Cities. Our hope is to eliminate substandard housing in our community.
Habitat Brush with Kindness Program – Low-income homeowners or those with disabilities often struggle with the upkeep of their houses. ABWK helps with painting, minor repairs, landscaping, weatherization, the building of handicapped ramps, and yard clean-up to enable families to live in safe, decent homes in this community.
We are called to celebrate God's grace as a Christ-centered community of acceptance, growing in faith and living as Christ's hands to serve.
The fourth Monday of every month, volunteers from First Presbyterian Church help serve dinner at the "Supper House" in Muskegon. Donations of food items such as canned fruit and vegetables, pudding and cookies are very much appreciated and needed. Karen Losee is the contact person for this ministry.
Non-perishable food donations are collected each Sunday for a local food pantry located at the Salvation Army. Donations may be brought to the church and placed in the designated spot in the Gathering Area.
The fourth Monday of every month, volunteers from First Presbyterian Church help serve dinner at the "Supper House" in Muskegon. Donations of food items such as canned fruit and vegetables, pudding and cookies are very much appreciated and needed. Karen Losee is the contact person for this ministry.
