May 2, 2020 marks the 70th anniversary of the First Pres Spring Rummage Sale. Since it’s inception in 1950, the sale has raised over $6.5 million dollars for our mission partners. Annually, the sale raises 30% of the overall mission budget for First Pres, and people from all over come to volunteer and purchase items. […]
Rummage Celebrates 70 years of the Ministry! Read More »
Mission Partner Bravo Waukegan just finished its 9th season of Bravo Buddies Music Camp, a program available to Waukegan public school students (2nd – 8th graders). The camp took place June 17 through July 12 at Jefferson Middle School in Waukegan. Executive Director and First Pres member Karey Walker said, “We were thrilled to offer
Mission Partner Bravo Waukegan celebrates record number attendance in their Music Camp! Read More »
Curt’s Café is a new Mission Partner at First Pres. Curt’s Café works with proven at-risk or formerly incarcerated young adults. What these young adults need most is a job. Without a job, many end up living on the streets and return to destructive habits, cycling through the courts, 86% of those released are sent
July Featured Mission Partner: Curt’s Cafe Read More »
Mano a Mano is a newer partner for First Pres. The agency, founded in 2000, serves the Latino immigrant population in Lake County. Over the past 30 years, there has been a shift in where immigrants are settling. The immigrant population, especially Latino communities, has been growing faster in Chicago collar counties than in the
June Featured Mission Partner: Mano a Mano Family Resource Center Read More »
On December 12, Chip Hardwick, Cynthia Hessemer, and Nina Strnad spoke with Pastor Jacoub about his Christmas season in Fairouzeh, Syria. Our recap: A Muslim majority country, Syria’s department of education has declared trimester final exams on Christmas Eve, wreaking havoc with the worship schedule as well as participation by all the children who sing
February 2019: Update on our Prayer Partner Church in Fairouzeh Read More »
As part of our faith in Christ, we care for those whom Jesus called the “least of these.” On Saturday morning, November 3, members of the Mission committee, congregation and staff lived into this by making short visits to two of our long-time mission partners. Team Haven was John Johnson, Geoffrey Luce, Jill Moot, Missy
Mission Fan-Out Event at Lake County Haven and A Safe Place Read More »
A donation to PADS (Providing Advocacy, Dignity & Shelter) is greatly appreciated. 1) Large backpacks or duffle bags 2) Cash donations of any amount – these donations will be used to purchase food and supplies for those seeking shelter. Since 1972, PADS Lake County, the only emergency shelter for the homeless in Lake County, addresses
16th Annual Women’s Christmas Tea: God’s Invitation to Prepare Read More »
The Career Resource Center (CRC) is another agency that was founded right here at First Pres. It began in the late 1980s as a temporary measure to provide employment assistance to white collar workers during a recession, but it soon became apparent this type of service was needed on an ongoing basis. The CRC was
November Featured Mission Partner: Career Resource Center Read More »
October’s Meal-a-Month supports The Phoenix Rising Foundation, an organization that operates a good pantry at the Shields Township office. They appreciate donations by individuals and community organizations to assist residents experiencing temporary financial difficulties or who are on fixed incomes and hard-pressed to make ends meet. Please find a list of supplies below, or a
October Meal-a-month: Phoenix Rising Foundation Read More »
68 years of giving. Year round mission and ministry. Oh the things that our rummage operation has lived through and seen in those years! Changes in economy, changes in technology, changes in the way folks purchase their goods, the big shoulder pads, the pleated pants, high waisted jeans… that are actually BACK in style!
October Featured Mission Partner: Rummage Read More »