First Presbyterian Church actively supports and serves through several unique mission initiatives and local partners. These programs support the physical, educational and spiritual needs around our city and provide opportunities to make real one-on-one connections in the name of Christ. Wherever you live or work, you are in the perfect place to serve. There is no better time than now. Where is God calling you?
Helping Hand Ministry
Helping Hand Ministry, an outreach of First Presbyterian Church,
combines ministry and mission by offering short-term assistance to
Tulsans in need. Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. - noon, volunteers help individuals and families dealing with a temporary crisis
by assisting in the payment of their utility bills, rent, or
prescriptions and with the distribution of food from the pantry. To donate, send checks to the order of Helping Hand Ministry to the First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa business office or online by visiting FirstChurchTulsa.org/give and select the Helping Hand designated fund. For information, call 918-582-1356 or find them online at HelpingHandMinistry918.com.
8:10 Building Mission Fund
Nehemiah 8:10 “… for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
God has a unique way of taking the hopeless and transforming it for the joyful. A decade ago, a lifeless office building stood across 8th Street from First Church devoid of any future purpose. At least, that’s the way it may have seemed until someone realized we had an incredible opportunity literally at our doorstep. The vacant building was purchased by First Church, renewing its purpose to serve Tulsa in a transformational way. Fueled by God’s faithfulness and a congregation’s dedication to making a bigger impact on our community in the name of Christ, Project 8:10 (a reference to the building’s address and Nehemiah 8:10) came to life.
Today, 100 percent of the rent income after building operations are met is dedicated to the First Church 8:10 Mission Fund. This fund is earmarked for local missions and targeted towards transformative mission initiatives. Transformation involves seeking change in the whole of human life materially, socially, and spiritually, by recovering our true identity as human beings created in the image of God. It also means discovering our true vocation as productive stewards, faithfully caring for our world and each other.
To apply for grant, find the application here.
Anderson Elementary
Anderson Elementary is First Presbyterian Church’s partner-in-education. Mentors connect with students through our lunch buddy program “Going the extra mile,” while our deacons serve more than 350 children through a Christmas party with gifts and games every December.
Masterwork Arts Academy
Masterwork Arts Academy seeks to enrich the academic and spiritual lives of elementary students; not only teaching visual art, dance, and music, but also teaching children to pay attention to God, by finding and reflecting their Creator as they create.
Works of HeART
Atrium Art
Atrium Art is an initiative to showcase world-class artwork in a unique setting inside the historic First Presbyterian Church. Over the past few years, each new display has inspired and challenged viewers to engage with aesthetics, faith and spirituality in new ways. Art is an important part of our church ministry, and the exhibits are all free and open to the public.
Camp Loughridge
Camp Loughridge, an independent nonprofit, is located in southwest Tulsa offering Christian camps, weddings, events and retreats. In 1959, First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa acquired the Camp, and named the camp in memory of the Reverend Robert M. Loughridge, a pioneer missionary to the Creek Indian Nation. In 1995 Camp Loughridge was chartered as an Oklahoma not-for-profit corporation. This corporation now maintains and operates the 186-acre camp with a full-time, year-round staff.
Local Mission Partners
In addition to the ministries noted above, First Presbyterian Church maintains relationships with many wonderful local mission partners.
Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma
The mission of Catholic Charities is the be Christ’s merciful love to
those who suffer through adoption, housing, food, dental care,
immigration services and more. More information at cceok.org/
Crossover Community Impact
Crossover Community Impact (CCI) is a Christian organization committed to restoring our community through reconciliation, love and justice. CCI strives to be an outreach arm of the Church, but recognizes that one Church can't do it alone. It's going to take Churches and Christians from all over Tulsa working together as God's hands and feet in our community. More information at crossoverimpact.org/
First Baptist Church Caring Center
First Baptist Church is open to assist Tulsans Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. More information at tulsafbc.org/missions/local-missions/
Goodland Academy
Goodland Academy is a boarding school located in Choctaw County, Oklahoma, three miles southwest of Hugo in southeastern Oklahoma, USA. Founded in 1848 as a Presbyterian mission, it is the oldest private boarding school in Oklahoma still in operation. More information at goodland.org/
Habitat for Humanity
Tulsa Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that has been serving families in Tulsa County since 1988. Through home sponsorships, individual donations and volunteer work, they are able to build safe, quality, beautiful homes and to offer affordable, low-interest mortgages to families who cannot afford a traditional mortgage. More information at tulsahabitat.com/
John 3:16 Mission
John 3:16 Mission seeks to reclaim lives and restore hope to those who find themselves in situations of poverty and homelessness. They are always looking for donations and volunteers at their new location. More information at john316mission.org
Lindsey House
Initiated by First Presbyterian Church, Lindsey House is a supportive housing ministry for newly homeless women with dependent children. More information at lindseyhouse.org/
Restore Hope Ministries
Restore Hope Ministries was established in 1978 by Tulsa area United Methodist congregations to meet the growing need for emergency assistance for families in crisis. They live out their mission by working towards hunger reduction, homeless prevention and emotional and spiritual nurture. More information at restorehope.org/
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army of Tulsa supports men, women and children in economic distress and provides aid during and after natural disasters. They are always looking for volunteers, especially during times of crisis. More information at https://www.salarmytulsa.org/
Tulsa Boys' Home
First Presbyterian Church was instrumental in establishing the Tulsa Boys' Home. Now its members volunteer their time to mentoring young men, while they work to break the cycle of poverty, abuse and neglect. Learn more at https://www.tulsaboyshome.org/
