MISSION OF THE MONTH
Frontera de Cristo
November's Mission of the Month is Frontera de Cristo. Through Frontera de Cristo, Mark and Miriam bring together people from both sides of the border, building relationships and understanding between them.
Presbyterian Mission Agency and Office of the General Assembly, concluded its engagement in numerous global missions in March 2025. PCA (USA) recognized the many years of service, ministry, and commitment of Mark and Miriam, who served so faithfully as mission co-workers. Their impact on the work of Christ across the world is immeasurable. Losing the financial resources of PCA could have been devastating to Mark and Miriam. Thankfully Presbytery de Cristo and the Presbytery of Grand Canyon stepped forward to call Mark Adams and Miriam Maldonado as Mission Co-Workers to serve with Frontera de Cristo in 2026. As a church and as individuals we now have an opportunity to provide for the continued growth of this vital ministry. Support for this ministry is more important than ever now that funding from PCA (USA) is gone.
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/
First Presbyterian Church – Annual American Red Cross Blood Drive
Our annual blood drive through the American Red Cross is scheduled for Tuesday, December 30th from 1pm to 7pm in the John Knox Hall at church.
We are looking for DONORS and VOLUNTEERS! You can schedule your blood donation at this link American Red Cross Blood Drive - First Presbyterian Church - Dec 30, 2025 or if you have the Red Cross Blood Drive app, you can schedule there as well!
We are looking for volunteers as well! Deb Grunwald may be calling you to see if you can help throughout the day with making food, helping in the kitchen or being a greeter. Please feel free to call Deb Grunwald with any questions 320-905-8104.
Thank you for your donations! It SAVES lives!
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