MISSION OF THE MONTH
One Great Hour of Sharing
“What does the world require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?’ (Micah 6:8). One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is centered in the call to do our part to advocate for justice so every person can truly live the life God intends for them. OGHS is the single, largest way that Presbyterians come together every year to work for a better world.
Around the world, millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanitation, education and opportunity. The programs supported by OGHS work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need:
Disaster Recovery — This emergency ministry enables our congregations and mission partners to witness to the healing love of Christ through caring for communities adversely affected by crisis and catastrophic events.
Hunger Relief — Seeks to find out why people are hungry and encourage action that will address the underlying causes.
Poverty — Enters into partnership with groups of economically poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged people helping to facilitate their work and encourage a deeper understanding and involvement of the Church in the process of self-development.
Immigration/Migration/Refugees – Provides direct support to those navigating the complexities of the immigration system, advocates for compassionate and just immigration laws and policies, and collaborates with partners who directly respond to these critical and complex issues.
Climate Change – PC(USA) has developed resources and presentations created for reflection on economic and environmental justice issues, including environmental racism.
From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, the work of these programs fit together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope. Through OGHS, our church transforms our words into deeds, and fear and brokenness into hope and wholeness.
Received during the season of Lent, your gift to One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) provides a way to share God’s love with your neighbors in need. Donations may be made at the church, mailed, or be made through the church’s on-line giving portal. Fish banks are being distributed and are available at the church. The needs of our world are great, but when we all do a little, it adds up to a lot!
Frontera de Cristo
The Mission Committee now sponsors Mark and Miriam Adams in their involvement in the mission called Frontera de Cristo. Based in the sister cities of Douglas, Arizona, and Agua Prieta, Sonora, Frontera de Cristo works to build relationships and understanding across borders. People often see borders as nothing more than division, but at Frontera de Cristo, borders are seen as a place of encounter. Discerning God’s will, Frontera de Cristo serves migrants and community members on both sides of the border.
By demonstrating gospel values in all that they do, Frontera de Cristo seeks to build relationships that demonstrate God’s will, and build bridges rather than walls. So many people are migrating, seeking refuge and fleeing extreme poverty and violence. Our Frontera de Cristo’s goal is not only to address their immediate needs, but also to address the root causes of mass migration, creating safe and prosperous opportunities that allow our sisters and brothers to stay in the land they call home, if they so choose.
Through the building of community-driven partnerships with ministries and secular organizations in DouglaPrieta, Frontera de Cristo offers shelter, resources, education, emotional support, medical care, and new solutions. The hope is that everyone they meet knows they are made in God’s image, they are worthy of respect, and they are welcome here.
Frontera de Cristo also partners in ministry with Café Justo. Café Justo and its sister organization, Café Justo y Mas, operate on a fair trade plus business model. By removing the middleman who purchases coffee from Mexican farmers and sells it to large American corporations, our fair trade plus system creates an opportunity for farmers to be in control of the process from start to finish. From harvesting, to roasting, to packaging, all the way to your doorstep, the cooperative’s partners are involved. This optimizes the farmers’ profits in a way that creates a just and livable income, eliminates their need to head north seeking work, and allows them to stay on their land with their families. Frontera de Cristo has been proud to serve as a partner with Café Justo since its establishment in 2003 and with Café Justo y Mas since its opening in 2016, watching one man’s dream become a reality that provides new life for many through both.
Frontera de Cristo website: http://fronteradecristo.org/
Café
Justo Ministry partner info: http://fronteradecristo.org/cafe-justo/
Family Promise of
Kandiyohi County
Family Promise of Kandiyohi County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which finds its origin from a national organization stemming from Summit, New Jersey. We are one of approximately 200 affiliates found in 43 states and Washington D.C. FPKC has partnered with 12 local congregations (and 13 support churches) to provide shelter, meals and hospitality to homeless families within the Willmar/Kandiyohi County area. Our goal is to do whatever we can to assist homeless families gain emergency shelter, daily meals, and partner with local agencies to equip families with the skills they need overcome homelessness. We believe that families need a “hand up,” not just a “hand out.”
Check out more of what Family Promise is and offers at their website:
Blessing Box
We, at the First Presbyterian Church, have placed a Blessing Box at the front of our church at 316 Sixth Street SW in downtown Willmar and we are seeking donations from you and others to help our brothers and sisters in need. The following is a list of suggested supplies: Food items (non-perishable) -- canned goods, soup mix, cake mix, rice, cereal, noodles, peanut butter, snacks, ramen/instant meals, Hamburger Helper, mac & cheese, fruit, vegetables, bread/buns, baking items, condiments, coffee, juice boxes, seasoning items, crackers. Personal hygiene -- toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, soap, lotion, toilet paper, feminine products, tissue, Q-tips. Baby/child items -- diapers, wipes, baby food, baby cereal, pacifier, powder, lotion, bottles, powder formula. Misc. items -- pens/pencils, paper, seasonal items, gloves,books, small toys, gift items. Prohibited items -- home-baked goods, expired opened goods, alcohol, tobacco, sharp objects.
Ministry Meals
Every Second Wednesday of the Month (during the school year) our Mission Committee donates, makes, and provides a meal during the lunch hours (11-1:30) for students at Ridgewater College in the Ministry Department of the college!! The Mission Commitee is always willing to have volunteers to help out each month if available!! If so, contact the church office for more details.
Ridgewater Campus Ministry Update
South Sudanese Fellowship of St. Cloud
Worship and Potluck Fellowship
October 12, 2025
Kentucky Mission Trip 2025
Sending Wooden Instruments to the Border
for Children & Community Enrichment
January 2024
Pastor Leanne's Trip to the Border
November 2022
Youth Group Mission with Hope For Our City
October 22, 2025