We behold…
“If Presbyterians don’t support Presbyterian mission, who will?”
—Michael and Rachel Weller, Presbyterian Missionary workers in Ethiopia
First Presbyterian Church continues to provide monetary support to international missions. The projects below are a sampling of those supported by First Presbyterian. And in addition to these, our Mission and Social Justice committee directs funding to several Presbyterian co-workers living internationally.
Cuban Presbyterian Churches
We support Cuban Presbyterian Churches through our giving to a special offering each year, as well as through providing regular support for our sister congregation in Sagua La Grande.
Fair-Trade Store
First Presbyterian Church has an area in the main lobby of the church where fair-trade coffee and olive oil can be purchased on Sundays during the coffee hour. These products are purchased from Café Justo and Zatoun.
Café Justo is a coffee growers’ cooperative based in Salvador Urbina, Chiapas, Mexico. The coffee is grown, harvested, and marketed with the goal of allowing growers to remain on their land. Last year the proceeds from coffee purchased by members of the church sponsored fellowships that helped three families in the cooperative.
We also sell delicious Zatoun Olive Oil in support of farmers in Palestine and of peace in the Holy Land.
Friendship Bridge
Friendship Bridge is a nonprofit social enterprise creating opportunities that empower women in Guatemala to build a better life. They use an innovative and high-impact approach to poverty alleviation by combining the tools of microfinance, education, and preventive health services. They call this Microcredit Plus. As a result of participating in our programs, their clients experience a combination of increased resilience, improved empowerment, and accelerated business development.
Action Against Hunger
Action Against Hunger is an international program that feeds people in areas of drought, war, and natural disasters.
Frontera de Cristo
Frontera de Cristo is a border ministry based in Douglas, AZ/Agua Prieta ministering to immigrants and residents of Agua Prieta, Mexico. Douglas is where Cafe Justo coffee beans are roasted.
Presbyterian Disaster Relief
The Presbyterian Disaster Relief agency of the national church responds to natural and man-caused disasters throughout the U.S. and neighboring countries.
Vision en Accion
Vision en Accion is a mental illness refuge near Juarez, Mexico, that houses men and women who are not wanted by their families or have no family to care for them.
Support for PC(USA) Missions
First Presbyterian Church supports PC(USA) special offerings: One Great Hour of Sharing (Spring), Pentecost (late Spring), Peace and Global Witness (Fall), and Christmas Joy (December). For more information on these important offerings, read more on the PC(USA) special offerings website.