”. . . You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”
At First Pres we take the Great Commission of Jesus Christ seriously! We support missions locally, nationally and internationally. And we believe in hands-on mission support! If you would like to know about upcoming mission trips and opportunities for you to get involved, call the church office (630.469.2007) or email us at firstpresge@firstpresge.org
LOCAL MISSIONS FIRST PRES SUPPORTS:
Bridge of Hope - First Pres of Glen Ellyn transitional housing program for homeless families in DuPage County. First Pres members mentor the families who stay in First Pres-supported apartments for 12 - 18 months. We currently can house and mentor two families at one time.
CareNet – CareNet offers life-affirming resources to women with unplanned pregnancies. They believe that all children are a gift from God, created in His image and welcome with respect, compassion and acceptance all pregnant women in need of help. CareNet offers free pregnancy tests, ultrasound, a helpline, peer pregnancy support, abstinence education programs, diapers, formula and baby clothes and emotional and spiritual parenting support. CareNet has offices in Glen Ellyn.
Central DuPage Pastoral Counseling Center - Ecumenical agency provides professional family and individual counseling services and community education based on Christian values.
DuPage Habitat for Humanity - Habitat for Humanity is a worldwide organization designed to help low-income families obtain and maintain a home of their own. In DuPage County, the Habitat organization in partnership with volunteers from many churches, including several work crews from First Pres has built over two-dozen homes for families in Wheaton, West Chicago and Glendale Heights.
DuPage P.A.D.S. - Ecumenical project by local churches to provide overnight shelter and food for the homeless of DuPage County. First Pres, Glen Ellyn, is one of the coordinating churches and serves as a Thursday night site year-around.
Emmaus Ministries - An inner city Chicago ministry whose mission is to make Jesus known on the streets among men involved in sexual exploitation and to provide hope in Christ for men involved in sexual exploitation by developing ministries of evangelization, transformation, and education.
ESSE (Ecumenical Support Services for the Elderly) – Provides adult day care in local Glen Ellyn and Wheaton churches as an alternative to inpatient institutional care and support.
Glen Ellyn Food Pantry -The emergency food needs of people residing in Glen Ellyn and the surrounding area are met by the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry, sponsored by Glen Ellyn churches and operating out of Grace Lutheran Church. www.glenellynfoodpantry.org
Glen Ellyn Walk-In Ministry - Inter-church effort in Glen Ellyn which offers immediate assistance to people in need. First Pres members serve on the board of directors.
JUST of DuPage - Organization providing Bible study, worship and substance abuse programs to the DuPage prison population and their families. Members of First Pres lead Bible Studies and help conduct worship services.
Outreach Community Ministries - Outreach Community Center Tutoring Program/Carol Stream – First Pres has the responsibility as the lead church in organizing and raising funds for the Tutoring Program for children attending the after-school program at the center.
Jubilee Village - The Women’s Ministry of First Pres has recently begun support for Jubilee Village, transitional housing for young women in DuPage County.
Young Life, DuPage County - The mission of Young Life is to introduce adolescents to Jesus Christ and help them to grow in their faith. To do this, a Young Life chapter is organized at individual high schools. High-energy club meetings are held weekly, featuring songs, Bible readings and messages important to the lives of today’s teens. Students are invited to weekly Bible studies and, during the summer, all participants have an opportunity to attend national Young Life camps.
Young Men’s Educational Network (YMEN) - As part of the North Lawndale Community in Chicago, the YMEN’s mission is to prepare young men in the community for mature Christian leadership, academic excellence and outstanding service to others. By providing academic incentives, employment opportunities, discipline training and Christian discipleship, YMEN successfully provides alternatives to academic apathy and gang membership for young men ages 12 to 18. Members of First Pres act as teachers and mentors in this program.
EVE - a program of YMEN that works exclusively with young women by providing academic support, character and self-esteem enhancement, and leadership development. EVE stands for these three core principles: Education, Value, and Empowerment.