Part of the foundation of our mission at first Presbyterian Church is to REACH out to a world in need. Our church is humbled to have a rich reputation for being actively involved in the Sumter Community. Many of our members serve on community service organizations as well as in our city and state government. As Presbyterians, we believe that when Jesus said, “the Kingdom of God is among us” we were given a command to help partner with Christ to usher in a kingdom of peace, justice and equality for all. That is one of the most important reasons the Church exists, to be a light unto a world in need.
Ongoing Mission Opportunities
Emergency Shelter
(Previously known as the Samaritan House)
Two or three times a month our teams prepare and serve the residents of the Emergency Shelter. We play games, share a devotion and get to know these children of God who for whatever reason find themselves in difficulty. We also serve the meal as if they were valued guests… hopefully injecting some fun and hope into their lives. The meals usually begin at 6:30 and the teams are finished by 7:30PM. We would love for you to join us in this fun and rewarding mission.
Backpack Blessings
Believe it or not, as many as 1 in 5 children in the area school system may come to school hungry. They get school Breakfast and lunches on school days, but on the weekends, they sometimes struggle to find nutrition. The church has tried to remedy this with our Backpack Blessings Ministry. We fill and deliver as many as 50 backpacks with easy to prepare food. The kids exchange their school backpack for a food filled backpack on Friday afternoons. We are always looking for donations and volunteers to work this mission. It requires about 30 minutes to stuff the bags and about 35 minutes to deliver them.
If you would like to be contacted about volunteering for this rewarding mission- CLICK HERE.
Partners in Education
This mission piggybacks on Backpack Blessings. It allows for more direct- one on one- interaction with some of the children at Wilder and Millwood Elementary school. If you would like to tutor or mentor a needy student, we have a program that facilitates that.
Seasonal Local Mission Opportunities
Gear Up For Learning
We buy and deliver thousands of spiral notebooks to needy school kids at the beginning of the school year.
Feed My Starving Children
This nationwide mission comes to Sumter annually. First Presbyterian sponsors a table where volunteers pack meals to be distributed nationwide and worldwide.
Shaw Deployed Spouses Dinner
Every year in the late fall, we go to Shaw Air Force base and cook and serve a delicious meal for the families of airmen deployed overseas.. This project is headed up by the Men of the Church.
Angel Tree
Our Christmas mission is in concert with the Sumter United Ministries program. We will choose several families to support. Each family has an Angel that describes the gifts that they would like to receive, along with ages, sizes, colors, etc. to facilitate the purchase. Members of the congregation pick up an angel and purchase, wrap and leave at the church the described gifts. They are then delivered to the needy families.
Other
Additionally, your Church Pledges support many other missions financially and individual volunteer opportunities may exist with them:
- Scouting
- Presbyterian Home
- Shepard Center
- Sumter Pregnancy Center
- Habitat for Humanity
- Sumter Christian Charities
- Salvation Boys and Girls Club
- Sumter United Ministries
- Emmanuel Soup Kitchen
- Young Life
- Community Counseling