Our Local Missions Partners

Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) is a hands-on ministry that ensures no child in our community has to sleep on the floor. Volunteers from First Presbyterian Church build and deliver twin beds, complete with mattresses, bedding, and pillows, to children and families in need throughout Gaston County. These simple wooden beds are built with love and delivered with prayer, offering comfort, dignity, and hope to children who need a safe place to rest.

Black Mountain Home for Children provides a safe, nurturing, and faith-centered environment for children who have experienced trauma, family crisis, or abandonment. The Home offers long-term care, life skills training, emotional support, and spiritual guidance to help children build stability and hope for the future.

First Presbyterian Church supports this ministry through mission trips, hands-on service projects, financial support, and relationship-building with staff and residents. Volunteers assist with maintenance projects, campus improvements, and youth mentoring, while also sharing fellowship and encouragement. Through this partnership, we extend Christ’s healing love to children who deserve to feel seen, supported, and cared for.

Crisis Assistance Ministry is a local organization that provides emergency financial assistance, clothing, and essential household items to individuals and families in Gaston County who are facing hardship. Whether someone is struggling with unexpected job loss, medical bills, or housing insecurity, Crisis Assistance Ministry offers compassionate support and practical help during difficult times.

First Presbyterian Church partners with this ministry by providing donations, volunteer support, and financial resources to help meet urgent needs in our community. Many of our members serve by sorting clothing, organizing household goods, assisting clients, or helping with seasonal drives. Through this partnership, we join others in offering hope, stability, and dignity to our neighbors when they need it most.

Dream Center Academy is a Christ-centered educational program in Gastonia that provides academic support, mentorship, life skills, and spiritual encouragement to middle and high school students. Many of the students face challenges such as limited resources, academic gaps, or difficult home environments, and the Academy walks alongside them with hope, structure, and opportunity. First Presbyterian Church supports this ministry by volunteering as mentors and tutors, providing meals, offering encouragement, and helping with special projects.

Through this partnership, we invest in the lives of young people who are working hard to build a brighter future. By serving together, we help open doors of possibility and reflect God’s love in action.

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).