The Apostle John describes God’s kingdom as a holy city, a New Jerusalem, where there is no more pain or hunger, where there can be found the healing of the nations, and where all of life centers around the praise of God. Guided by this vision, First Presbyterian seeks in its local mission efforts to bring about a foretaste of God’s heavenly kingdom by participating in God’s work of healing and reconciliation in our center city.

The local ministries of First Presbyterian are divided into three primary areas: Hunger ministries, children and family ministries, and ministries to impact and prevent homelessness. Ministries are supported financially and through First Presbyterian volunteers. First Presbyterian works in partnership with dozens of area ministries to impact the lives of those in need while also providing a means for our members to grow in their gifts and be challenged to seek the face and call of Christ amidst the poverty in our city.

On-Site Ministries

Within our walls a number of ministries also thrive. First Presbyterian has the largest Loaves and Fishes pantry in the region. Our Room in the Inn program provides meals and shelter to hundreds of homeless men and women every winter. Through Family Promise, our church houses homeless families as they transition into affordable housing. Sandwich kitchen volunteers are up bright and early every Saturday morning making lunch for the Urban Ministry Center. Every summer, FPC hosts a Freedom school where fifty at-risk children find a safe-haven and a love of learning. Also unique to our congregation is the Child and Family Outreach Coordinator (CFOC). This position serves as a liaison between our church and the community agencies that support children and families in poverty. The CFOC helps strengthen the relationships within our church between congregants and families we serve in poverty, educating and equipping us all to build a better community in love.

Did You Know...

• There are over 5,000 homeless people in Mecklenburg County. 2000 children enrolled in CMS are homeless.
• Volunteers spent 62 nights at the church last year, hosting homeless individuals and families.
• 94 congregants served as camp parents, helping at-risk children get ready for a week of Camp Grier and/or Camp Thunderbird.
• At the church and school that we support in Bayonnais, Haiti, it costs $1.40 to feed one child one meal a day, five days a week, for an entire month.

Visit the Get Involved section of the site to see a description of all our ministries.