Mission & Outreachjonfrye2014-05-19T12:24:10-04:00
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NRSV
Our call, as disciples of Christ, is to share His love and message of salvation with the world. When people see Jesus alive within us and through our lives, they may want to experience him too. So as God has so generously provided for us, we must share generously with others. As we seek to follow Jesus in the path of discipleship, our mandate is to love God, to love others, and to serve the world. The focus of Mission and Outreach, of James Island Presbyterian Church, is to serve and honor God.
Approximately 14% of our annual church budget is designated for mission & outreach. Special and designated offerings throughout the year increase total mission giving to approximately 20% of total giving. The mission and outreach committee of our session develops, coordinates, and implements the use of these funds. Currently, we financially support several international, co-mission partners and approximately twenty local or regional mission projects.
As a service to the community, we offer the resources of our campus to house weekly meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous and other support groups.
In addition, the James Island Presbyterian Foundation, Inc. was developed in 1984 to help support the outreach efforts of the James Island Presbyterian Church through the development and management of various missions. Currently, this includes the funding and operation of: Closet Treasures Thrift Store located in the Folly Road Shopping Center (Closet Treasures recently closed after 28 years and we are exploring the possibility of re-opening at a new location); Lowcountry Pastoral Counseling Center (six locations in Charleston & Dorchester counties); the pre-school, child care center, after school program and summer day camp operating on the church campus; Mission House providing housing for college and church volunteer groups traveling to Charleston, individual/family referrals from the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center for short-term stay, retreats & meeting space; coordinating the James Island Senior Companion Program; providing work sites and supervision for court-referred community service workers.
Members and friends of the church are encouraged to serve and minister to others as a way of serving and glorifying God. A few of the mission volunteer opportunities provided through the church include:
Adonai Mission Church: Visit Merida, Mexico as a member of a work group to help with church construction, renovations, and to lead Vacation Bible School.
Campus Ministry/The Journey: Provide mentor-ship and monthly meals to students from the many surrounding colleges.
Charleston-Atlantic Presbytery: Serve on any of the numerous committees that help shape the mission and vision of the 48 congregations who are a part of our regional presbytery.
Child Care Center/Pre-School/After School Care/Summer Day Camp: Bible and/or book story teller, field trip chaperone, tutor and homework assistant, etc.
Closet Treasures Thrift Store: Serving as a clerk, greeter, sales, merchandise arranging/stocking, etc. Closet Treasures recently closed after 28 years and we are exploring the possibility of re-opening at a new location.
Family Shelter & Food Serving: Help prepare and/or serve food for guests staying at the Charleston Men’s or the Women’s & Family Shelter, the Ronald McDonald House, the Florence Crittenden Home; help to serve food for college-age students attending ‘The Journey’ dinner meeting (a Presbyterian campus ministry), etc.
Habitat for Humanity: Help to build a home and change the life of a first-time home-owner, provide snacks & beverages for volunteers, be a cheerleader, etc.
Hands of Christ: Help serve children and their parents at any of the host Presbyterian churches in our area just prior to the beginning of the school year, as they receive gifts of love, clothing and school supplies.
James Island Outreach (First Saturday/Month): Stock food pantry, assist with clients, greeter, etc. (Scott Graule, director, 762-3653)
Lowcountry Food Bank: Sort donations, help with distribution, etc.
Meals-on-Wheels: Be a part of the team of volunteers helping to serve a noon, home-delivered meal to home-bound persons on James Island (Scott Graule, coordinator)
Remember Niger: Serve on the leadership team for, or participate in, the annual School Spirit Run for Niger; visit the schools in Niger; assist with administrative tasks; etc.
Rural Mission: Assist with home repairs, home weatherization, Head Start educational programs, services for migrant families, etc.
Seeds of Hope Farmer’s Market (Saturdays): Greet customers; assist in set-up/break-down of tents & food displays, etc.
Water Mission International: Serve on the leadership team for, or participate in, the annual “Walk for Water;” help assemble water filtration units;; etc.
Youth Mission Trips: Youth are encouraged to serve in national and international mission trip opportunities so they are better able to form an understanding of the world and ways they may serve God.