missions
As a loving congregation of the PC(USA), First Presbyterian Church is committed to the Matthew 25 vision. We invite all members to actively engage in building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism, and eradicating systemic poverty. Come grow with us and put faith into action through our missions and ministries.
We believe that the door to salvation is always open and so are the doors to our church. Our mission is to be fully devoted to Jesus by opening our arms to those in search of the truth. We show God’s love and concern for our fellow human beings at every opportunity. Through works of charity and opening our doors to listen and love, we feel that we are walking in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.
Loaves and Fishes
Loaves and Fishes was founded in 2008 as an outreach to the hungry of our community. It is a partnership of more than 20 different congregations in the Columbus area and FPC is a founding member. Lunch is served every Monday and Friday and many Thursdays with hopes to have a full-week program soon. FPC supports Loaves and Fishes financially and by feeding on the third Friday of each odd month.
Through the generosity of many people at FPC, we distribute new books to children each time we serve lunches at Loaves and Fishes.
Two Cents a Meal
Two Cents a Meal is a hunger-relief program initiated by our Presbytery. In this program, half of the money collected stays local, benefiting local agencies such as Helping Hands and Loaves and Fishes.
Christmas Family
Every year as we look to the coming of Christmas, we look to share the joy of the season as we help provide for local families. Each year we collect monetary donations and purchase gifts to enable our congregation to help spread Christ's love.
Helping Hands
Helping Hands is an agency here in Columbus that provides a food pantry and financial support to those in need. First Presbyterian has a long relationship with this ministry and supports it financially as well as collecting food items for the food pantry.
Backpack Meal Program
Thanks to the support of the FPC congregation we are able to continue our relationship with Stokes Beard Elementary School through the Backpack Meal Program. We purchase shelf-stable meal kits of child-friendly foods from the Mississippi Food Network Backpack Program to provide students at Stokes Beard with a part of the nutritional support necessary for success in school.
This program is designed to meet the needs of hungry children at times when other resources are not available, such as weekends and school vacations. FPC delivers food packs to Stokes Beard at the end of each week. Each food pack contains two breakfast items, two main dishes, two fruit juice boxes, one fruit cup, one snack item, and one dairy item. Teachers then discreetly put the food packs into children's backpacks on the last day before a weekend or holiday vacation. The children are then assured of some proper nutrition while away from their meal programs at school.
Special Offerings
Each year the Presbyterian Church, USA identifies needs, both local and abroad. Special Offerings are collected nationwide to help these ministries. Special Offerings taken up by First Presbyterian include:
One Great Hour of Sharing
Pentecost Offering
Joy Gift Offering
Presbyterian Women Thank Offering
Presbyterian Women Birthday Offering
Peacemaking Offering
Living Waters for the World
Living Waters for the World trains and equips church mission groups and others to share the gift of clean water with communities in need. First Presbyterian has been involved with LWW since its inception and has assisted in the building of five water systems in Central America.