Mission emphasis 2020
In a year of much turmoil and loss, First Church is proud to stay steadfast in our support of local and international missions. Not only has our ability to help not been diminished, but our giving and volunteer support has grown, thanks to 8:10 Mission funds and dozens of new volunteers. This year we are highlighting 12 of our mission partners, which is not even half of the agencies, organizations and individuals we support on an ongoing basis. Please take some time to pray for these missions and missionaries. Thank you for your continued support of First Church and its mission work.
The Outreach Foundation - National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon
The work of The Outreach Foundation has always been a haven for refugees and their families. This year, with the spread of COVID-19, the explosion in Beirut and the unrest that followed, their work has been more challenging than ever. Visit their website to learn more about the important work they are doing: https://www.theoutreachfoundation.org/
Kenya connections
We are ever tied to the work of Christ being done in Nairobi Kenya and we are grateful for the gift it has given us in Pastor Wambugu and his family. After Reverend Estes, Reverend Wambugu, Faith Wambugu and John Harper traveled to Kenya in October 2019, plans have been unfolding for First Church to position itself as an ally in ministry in the rural congregations of the Presbyterian Church of Eastern Africa. While COVID-19 has delayed the scheduled trips back to Kenya, we continue to support the work being done to build up the Church, support the evangelical work and minister to the communities in Kenya. (pic of food bags in truck)
Works of the HeArt
While the weekly in-person art classes have been temporarily postponed due to COVID-19, volunteers and champions of this art based ministry have not stopped reaching out to the homeless and impoverished. During this time of physical distancing, volunteers put together art bags for anyone to come by and pick up, so they could continue making art, even while we are apart.
Masterwork Academy for Faith and Fine Arts
Students from Anderson Elementary have thrived in this multi-discipline program, as they participate in afterschool programming in music, art, ballet, bible and movement training. This ministry trains their bodies, engages their creativity and points them towards the ultimate Creator. To learn more about the work being done, check out their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MasterworkAcademy, or reach out to Kelly Brown at kbrown@masterworkacademy.org or call/text 918-370-0207 to learn how you can volunteer.
8:10 Project and Helping Hand Ministry
It has been a busy season for Helping Hand Ministry, as our community has not been immune to the economic struggles brought on by COVID-19. Between January 1 and July 31, 2020, Helping Hand Ministry spent $231,701 helping 2,998 families facing financial crisis and strain. In July alone, HHM gave $83,535 to keep 117 families in their homes, which represents more than a 10 percent increase in spending from the same time last year. They also operated as grocery distribution site starting in March. With this level of need, Helping Hand Ministry was in danger of running out of funds. However, in August, the 8:10 Project Counsel approved a $40,000 donation in support of the work being done and the helping Hand Golf Tournament had an incredible turn out in support of this ministry and they work they do. Please continue to pray for the financial and food insecure families in our community, and thank you for your continued support of Helping Hand Ministry.
Literacy Evangelical International + James Kigamwa
James Kigamwa is a dedicated servant of the Lord, working hard in his role as Managing Director for Africa/the Middle East, and Director for Global Research. His work is vital to the development of training materials and the encouragement and support of missionaries working in Africa. Check out the important work being done by visiting their website: https://www.literacyevangelism.org/.
Hunger Free Oklahoma
Across Tulsa, a total of 51 First Church organized volunteers served food with Hunger Free Oklahoma’s Tulsa Kitchen’s Unite Project. Starting on April 15 and ending on June 26, covering eight different Tulsa Public School sites in North, South and East Tulsa, volunteers gave a total of 32 days and approximately 385 man hours to this important ministry serving Tulsa’s food insecure families during school closures. Tulsa Kitchens Unite served a total of 335,000 meals across all of their sites. (See main photo of story.)
Camp Loughridge
This summer, Camp Loughridge ran a successful camp season and helped financially support Emerson students, providing them a week filled with fun, fellowship and the Word of God. Check out all that is happening out at camp here: https://camploughridge.org/
Petra Kids Ministry
Petra Kids Ministry is growing, doing the good work children in their school and a farm to help support their community in Uganda. However, they have not escaped the effects of COVID-19, and have had to rely strongly on the generosity of others to help feed and house the impoverished and orphaned students in their care. In June, Mission funds were sent to help feed the students and their families, as the school had to temporarily close. In August, First Church also helped support their annual fundraiser in which they surpassed their goal in raising $45,000! Check out their website to stay up to date with what is going on and to see the students that are still in need of sponsoring: https://www.petrakids.org/
Evangelical Theological Seminary of Cairo + Restricted Access Missionaries
The Evangelical Theological Seminary of Cairo has many reasons to be thankful, as they had a successful summer session with even more students than expected. They are adapting to new ways of educating and ministering, thanking God for keeping their staff and students safe during this time. In other parts of the world, there are missionaries working in places where the name of God is not welcome and anyone trying to spread the good news is not treated kindly. Please keep this brave missionaries, and their families, in your prayers.
American Red Cross (Blood Drive)
Our blood banks always run low, but especially now, during the pandemic, the need for blood is critical. Please consider signing becoming a donor, or sign up for the First Church Blood Drive coming up on Sunday, October 4, by visiting firstchurchtulsa.org/blooddrive2020 and following the instructions there.
International Justice Mission
During the listening trip to Kenya in the fall of 2019, the team visited the Kenya field office of International Justice Mission and learned about the explicit corruption and dangers they fight daily. Their mission is to rescue and restore victims, bring criminals to justice, strengthen the justice systems around the world and ultimately end slavery, in all its forms, in our lifetime. To learn more about this important work, please visit https://www.ijm.org/.
