Missions

“If you are here to help me, then you are wasting your time.

But if you are here because your liberation is bound up in mine, then let us begin.”

- Lily Walker, Australian Aboriginal woman

 

Those who participate in missions – ministries that are directed toward the well being of others beyond the church – seem to reach the same conclusion over and over again: our well being and the well being of the rest of the world are all tied up together.  We have learned to trust God’s Spirit at work in us, through us, and for us, as we reach out to people in need.

 

We believe the church exists to reach out beyond itself: to people seeking God, to those who desire to deepen their faith, and those seeking spiritual resources for their lives.  We also believe the church exists to reach out to people in distress or material need.  No congregation can do everything, but we seek to make a difference to those whose lives we feel called to touch.

Where has that led us at Oak Ridge Presbyterian? 

•To partner with Presbyterians in southern Mexico to build a medical clinic, churches, schools, and relationships. In partnership with Salem Presbytery, Chiapas, Mexico is our destination for four trips each summer – two medical mission trips and two construction trips, where we are working to build a medical clinic for indigenous people and to build up the Presbyterian church in Mexico.  More than one third of our members have been to Mexico and we consistently provide critical leadership for the Presbytery’s outreach to native Mexicans.
•To partner with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance:
•In West Virginia:  Once or twice a year a team of members, often partnering with other Presbyterian congregations, go to Mingo County to build or repair homes impacted by flooding.
•At the Gulf Coast: Since Katrina, teams have been travelling once or twice a year to help Gulf Coast communities rebuild their lives.
•In Washington, D.C.: In the summer of 2008 our youth will travel to Washington, D.C. to learn from and contribute to area ministries for the homeless.
•To partner with Greensboro Urban Ministries to feed the homeless and poor. We serve meals at a homeless shelter six times a year, collect food from local grocers for the G.U.M. food bank 365 days of the year, and participate in the annual CROP Walk.
•To partner with Tabitha House, a ministry located near Summerfield that helps women rebuild their lives following drug abuse, incarceration, and similar life-altering experiences.
•Scouting: We seek to provide positive, constructive, faith-based instruction and experiences to young boys and men through scouting. 
To partner with Salem Presbytery and Presbyterian Church (USA) in supporting denominational ministries in the Piedmont, mid-Atlantic, the United States and the world.