Missions Giving 2020: How can we help our neighbor in need?

Many of you reached out to the church in recent weeks of the Covid-19 crisis to ask the fundamental question of the Christian: How can I help?

How can I help those who need food? Who are homeless?

Anticipating the significant impact of the economic shutdown and shelter-in-place orders, the First Pres Missions Council contacted our local and international mission partners in March and April to ask: What do you need? Are you still able to operate your mission? What new challenges are you facing? 

We heard from our partners – and this month, we invite the congregation to rally support to meet the needs of our neighbors through the Missions Giving 2020 campaign.

Missions Giving 2020: Meeting the Needs of Today and Tomorrow

At First Pres, May is a special time each year that we focus on our mission partners through 53^rd Sunday – an annual giving campaign that asks for an “extra” financial gift given above and beyond regularly scheduled annual giving. Many of our mission partners rely on this special gift to operate.

This is what we typically do in May, and yet, we can all agree that there has been nothing “typical” about this May. Or April or March.

In the spirit of “53^rd Sunday”, we retain its purpose and function – to raise the critically needed funds our mission partners depend upon each year.

But this year, after hearing from our partners and many of you, the Missions Council decided to modify our traditional May “53^rd Sunday” giving campaign to include a way to respond to the immediate needs of our partners as a result of Covid-19. The Missions Council decided to reserve the $25,000 typically used as the “53^rd Sunday” matching fund, to be in a ready position to address the unforeseen needs and shortfalls anticipated by our missions partners later this year.

Christians are called to show up strong in times of crisis. We are called to trust God, and to use what he’s given us to respond to the needs of others.

How Can I Help?

The Missions Giving 2020 campaign provides two options for your financial support:

COVID Missions Response Fund

The goal of the COVID Missions Response Fund is to put your support to the best and highest use in this unusual season. Donations to this fund will address pressing needs of food, shelter and special services, and outreach for vulnerable populations. Donations to this fund can be directed toward specific partners if desired; or, any non-designated donations will be directed by the First Pres Mission Council, who will closely monitor our partners’ most urgent needs. Learn about mission partners’ immediate needs.

Traditional Mission Partner Gift

For those who are long-time donors to “53^rd Sunday”, we encourage you to stay the course. Your faithful support and leadership are needed now more than ever. As in the past, you can designate one or multiple mission partners to receive your financial gift. Donations can be mailed to the church or made online (choose “Reg Mission Partner Gift” in fund menu.) Read how to make an online financial contribution.

Looking ahead

The Missions Council will continue to update the church on the ways we can respond as the hands and feet of Christ as we move through this crisis. In this time of great need, we ask you to make this the year of our strongest support for Mission Partners.

Questions? Get in touch with the Missions Council for guidance: First Pres Missions Elders, Keith Mote or Erik Peterson.

Go to the Missions page for information about the work of our mission partners.