We Support:

Local
Missions

Our Mission: Remain a beacon in our community by building on our rich missional heritage as a church that serves locally, regionally and globally.

Local Missions we support

click on a mission below to learn more 
Central School Food Pantry
First Presbyterian has had a long-standing connection with our neighbors next door at Central High School.  We have been able to partner with them to support their Food Pantry with food donations throughout the year and financial assistance each month. In 2023, $1,600 was donated to provide food and Chromebook chargers to teachers.
 
If you would like to donate food or volunteer at Central High School please contact Karen Losee at (248) 495-2746, thank you!
 
 
20th Circuit Court Recovery Court

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 and feed 40-50 people every two weeks.

Recovery Court – Ottawa County, Michigan

CROP Walk (Family Friendly)

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.

CROP Hunger Walk

Feeding America Food Trucks

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.

Visit www.feedwm.org

Four Pointes Center for Successful Aging (Community Living)

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.

Visit fourpointes.org

Greater Muskegon Social Services

Donations of $7,450.00 in 2023 helped to provide food to 113 children, summer programs, clothes and toys to their women’s center.

Visit  muskegonmission.org

Hand2Hand (Family Friendly)

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

Hope Project USA
Hope Project exists to bring light to those in darkness. Its mission is to support the healing of girls and women who have survived trafficking and prevent further cases through mentoring and education. The Muskegon Hope Project has survivor client services and a mentoring project for young women, and recently opened a rehabilitative home for girls, 11-17 years, who have been victims of domestic trafficking so they can begin their journey of restoration. For more information, go to hopeprojectusa.org
Housing Ministry Collaborative

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!

Kids Hope USA

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

Love in Action (Family Friendly)

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. In 2023, a new community co-op building was opened. 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

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.

Visit mosaiccounseling.org

Project Ripple Effect

Project Ripple Effect raised $10,020 in 2023 and helped 17 projects ranging from local schools, food programs, infrastructure for a health clinic and helping the handicapped.

Reach the Forgotten Jail Ministry

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

Salvation Army of Grand Haven

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.

Approximately 1,000 pounds of food was donated by our congregation. $2,000 was provided to purchase perishables.

Visit SAGrandHaven.org

Step Up Muskegon
Step Up provides housing, mentoring, educational guidance, and life skills training within a Christian environment for young adults 18-24 years old. Step Up was formally organized in May of 2015 after the founding board members learned of the significant number of youth who have aged out of the foster care system and need direction in their lives. Its purpose is to equip and empower young adults with the tools and skills to live self-sufficient, responsible, and productive lives.
Click the following link for more information about the Step Up program: StepUpMuskegon.org
Supper House

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. Contact Karen Losee at (248) 495-2746 for more information or to volunteer.

The People Center

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.

Visit thepeoplecenter.org

Tri-Cities Area Habitat for Humanity

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.

Visit tricitieshabitat.org

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.

How You Can Help

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.

Every three months, the American Red Cross runs a blood drive at First Presbyterian Church. Volunteers are needed for the registration table and to help serve refreshments to those who have donated blood. Donations of juice and/or cookies are also appreciated. The blood drive coordinator is Melissa VerHage.
If you are able to volunteer a few hours of your time to help set-up, serve, or clean-up for funeral luncheons, we are always grateful for your help. Because of the nature of funerals, volunteers must be available at short-notice. Please contact the church office if you would like to be called to help with funerals.
The members of the prayer shawl ministry create comforting healing shawls for those in our church community who are ill. The recipients of these shawls are able to surround themselves with “knitted prayers” as they rest and recuperate. If you have any questions regarding this ministry, please contact Sue Ochs.

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.

Every three months, the American Red Cross runs a blood drive at First Presbyterian Church. Volunteers are needed for the registration table and to help serve refreshments to those who have donated blood. Donations of juice and/or cookies are also appreciated. The blood drive coordinator is Melissa VerHage.
If you are able to volunteer a few hours of your time to help set-up, serve, or clean-up for funeral luncheons, we are always grateful for your help. Because of the nature of funerals, volunteers must be available at short-notice. Please contact the church office if you would like to be called to help with funerals.
The members of the prayer shawl ministry create comforting healing shawls for those in our church community who are ill. The recipients of these shawls are able to surround themselves with “knitted prayers” as they rest and recuperate. If you have any questions regarding this ministry, please contact Sue Ochs.
Non-perishable food donations are collected each Sunday for local food pantries: Love in Action, the People Center, and the Salvation Army. Donations may be brought in to the church office at any time.