Local Missions

Following Christ's example, we believe that to support our community, we must be engaged in our community. Read about the various organizations and mission that we support locally by selecting a specific organization below.
Backpack Weekend Food Program
The Backpack Weekend Food Program (a community initiative) is designed to supplement weekend meals for students who depend on school breakfasts and lunches as their main nutrition.

Ways you can help:
  • $350 will sponsor one child for a school year.
  • Participate in packing and delivering backpacks to the school. 
  • Call the church office for more information about getting involved (704-864-2651).
Black Mountain Home for Children, Youth and Families
Black Mountain Home for Children Youth and Families is a private, 501(c)3 non-profit organization that children from birth through college graduation who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected. Typically, youth come to BMH when a court has decided that it is not safe or healthy for the child to remain with their family. Some may stay only a few weeks, while others may spend a considerable part of their growing up years at the Home. 

First Presbyterian Church has provided support for Black Mountain Home by collecting Christmas gifts for children living at the home, and also by donating thrift items for the Mountain Home Thrift Store, which not only provides funds and income for BMH, but also allows older youth to gain work experience and training as they transition into adulthood. 
Crisis Assistance Ministry of Christians and Jews (CAM)
Assistance Ministry (CAM) is a non-profit community outreach agency that serves greater Gaston County. You are invited to contribute non-perishable foods for the benefit of Crisis Assistance Ministry (CAM) throughout the month of January.

In response to increased need during the COVID-19 pandemic, we also collected over 6,000 pounds of food to replenish the CAM food pantry.
Dream Center Academy
Dream Center Academy provides an academic enrichment program for students in a high-need area of Gaston County. The program provides a safe space for students after school and during the summer.

​The curriculum empowers students to own their education by developing the academic and social skills necessary to succeed in school and beyond. The program is designed to support students from seventh grade through high school graduation so that the students become college-career-ready graduates and productive citizens of the community.
Habitat For Humanity
Since 2006, First Presbyterian Church has partnered with Gaston Area Presbyterians (GAP) and Habitat for Humanity of Gaston County to build houses, transform lives and improve our community’s neighborhoods. Through the support of GAP, 13 affordable houses have been built for families in our community. In addition, the Presbyterian Endowment Trust has granted substantial funding to Habitat homes built by the church over the years, including grants of $45,000 each in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Meals on Wheels
Members and friends of First Presbyterian Church faithfully deliver hot meals weekly to medically homebound individuals who are unable to prepare meals themselves or have no one available to prepare meals for them. This service is offered through the Adult Services Division of the Gaston County Department of Social Services.

As a special project, the congregation selected needed toiletry items for our Meals on Wheels clients during the COVID-19 crisis when the elderly population was sheltering in place and items such as toilet paper were difficult to acquire.

To learn more about the Gaston County Meals on Wheels progam, click here.