Mission is the purpose of the church !
We at First Presbyterian Church Valparaiso view missions as an essential ministry of our church. In addition to supporting Presbyterian Mission programs through the Presbyterian Church USA, we develop various mission projects with other organizations that involve all members of our church either corporately or individually.
Our church has an opportunity to do mission for EVERYONE! These mission opportunities continue for everyone at First Presbyterian Church Valparaiso.
FILL YOUR LIFE
Love is Feeding Everyone. We encourage all to fill their red grocery bags with items for the food pantry and bring them to church each Sunday.
PADS: Our church gratefully is part of this ministry of helping the homeless men in our community have a
warm, dry place to sleep and meals to eat.
RELAY FOR LIFE: Spring of 2018. If you would like to be part of this, please let Beth Germann know.
Mission Team is praying about our Local Mission giving which includes PADS, Hilltop House, Christian Food Pantry, Youth Services Bureau, Great Banquet, Kairos, Kairos Outside, Geneva Center. If you want more information on how to get involved with any of these, please contact the church office or Beth Germann.
Thank you for being Jesus hands and feet here in Valparaiso, in Indiana, in the United States and in the World! We are blessed to share our blessings! If you have ideas for future mission opportunities, please contact Beth Germann 464-3608. We meet the second Monday of the month at 6:30. You are welcome to join us!
Presbyterian Resale Shop
The Presbyterian Resale Shop donates its proceeds to Presbytery, Congregational Needs Fund, and a variety of missions which include Boys & Girls Club, Caring Place, Christian Food Pantry, Janet Graham de Araujo (Brazilian missionary), Moraine House, Alice’s House, Salvation Army of Porter County, VNA Respite Care, and several others.
PADS Ministry
Here in our own backyard a group of men struggle each and every day to find a decent meal and a place to sleep. They have few resources, fewer opportunities, and are met with callous indifference at every turn. We, along with other churches in the Valparaiso area have partnered with New Creations Men’s Center offering hope and shelter for these men, a safe haven with a warm breakfast and a place to sleep. This is an opportunity where you can easily get involved and reflect God’s love while making a big difference in the lives of men with no home of their own providing food, fellowship, love and a warm place to sleep.
We serve as a host church one night a week in the winter months, October – April. There are many opportunities to help: Setting up, staffing, intake, providing dinner and breakfast, clean up.
Food Pantry
Every week members of First Presbyterian Church donate food and other items to the local food pantry run by the Christian Food Pantry. They serve over 500 individuals every month along with providing Kid’s Kits in the summer for students on free and reduced lunch, Thanksgiving turkeys, and Christmas baskets. The donated items are placed in or around the shopping cart in the foyer of the church and are picked up each Monday.
Shoe Fund
The shoe fund is funded by special offerings on Christmas Eve. Vouchers are given to children in need of shoes, boots and socks. These children are referred to our church by the local schools and CASA.
Compass International Family Center
Thanks First Presbyterian Church of Valpo!
The leaders and families appreciate our mission gift of $1,000 toward the purchase of a 15 passenger van to bring families to Compass events! That puts Compass at $9,260 today toward their goal of $20,000. Who is Compass and why does it need a van for its ministry?Good questions!
Compass International Family Center is a non-denominational ministry in Valparaiso to support immigrant and refugee neighbors of all ages in Northwest Indiana with educational support and other services they need to thrive in their new community. Typically, there are 60 children and 40 adults each year being served by some 50 volunteers in adult English classes, Citizenship classes, K-12 tutoring, English learner preschool classes, and childcare. Compass students have come from over 30 different countries over the years, speaking 15 different languages! Jessica Burkman has been the Compass Director for the last decade, and is a licensed teacher to English Learners with a passion for caring for newcomers from around the globe.
Though many families can arrange to transport their children to Immanuel Lutheran School where the afterschool programs are currently housed, some cannot and need transportation to be provided. Compass is raising funds to purchase this essential van to bring children and parents without other options to the programs on Tuesday, Thursdays and other events as scheduled. Compass sessions resume in mid-January.
If you are interested in volunteering with Compass, please visit their website at compassifc.org or email Jessica at
The new semester is a great time to jump in!
Linda Long, Compass volunteer tutor