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Missions
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The Missions Team has compiled this list of missions to help you become familiar with the missions we support with "sweat equity" and with money. Over the past few years, we have increased our commitment to "hands on" mission, from building Habitat houses to offering free eye exams in Mexico. We hope that, as each of us grows in our faith, we will seek to express our commitment to Christ in mission to the world God loves. Please consider the following organizations and efforts as just a beginning place for your own personal mission effort. The Mission Team is here to help you fulfill your call to serve Christ. Let us know your dreams and passions for service and we'll do our best to help make it a reality for you. |
Learn More About
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You can support missions and the environment at the same time by recycling your paper and aluminum cans at Covenant. Bring your paper to the recycling bin behind the education wing (paper only, no cardboard), and deposit your aluminum cans in the bin by the kitchen. 100% of the money raised is used to support missions. Visit the ABITIBI Paper Retriever website to learn more about paper recycling. | ||
Christian Medical and Dental Society
Gathers doctors, dentists, medical and dental students for fellowship and spiritual growth through Bible study and prayer groups. They help medical professionals conduct health care in a Christian atmosphere and minister to hurting humanity locally, on the Mexican border and in the world at large. They also address the ethical issues facing modern medicine. http://www.cmdahome.org
In addition to our financial assistance Covenant has participated in their weekly lunch and lecture series. Several times each year we prepare lunch for approximately two hundred medical and dental students. Contact: Beverly Burris
Habitat for Humanity - pictures
Covenant has joined with other local Presbyterian churches to build one or two homes each year. This project has not only built new modest homes for families in need but has helped to build a community spirit among Presbyterian churches in this cluster. Contact: Ruby Dehls. http://habitatsa.org
House of Neighborly Service
HNS is a bilingual Christian community center in the heart of West Side San Antonio. Christian nurture is provided through scripture study, devotionals and community building. HNS programs are focused on the areas of recreational opportunities for children, youth and adults, mutual support, self-development, self-help and the provision of short-term emergency assistance. Covenant members also contribute groceries, time and energy. Contact: Janice Shute. http://www.hnsfamily.org
I Care San Antonio
A nonprofit organization started in 1993 by Covenant members Dr. Bob Rice, Doug Radcliffe, and friends. It provides eye care to the needy in San Antonio and around the world. International medical trips are ongoing with many members of Covenant participating. All exams, surgeries, treatments, and the fitting of glasses done by I Care San Antonio are performed at no charge. Covenant Presbyterian Church is an eyeglasses collection point. The collection box can be found in Mission Hall. Contact: Bob Rice or Gilda Aragon.
Meals on Wheels
Church members and non-members distribute noontime meals to needy people in the area. Contact: Shirley Elmore or Becky Eisenhut.
Minister’s Discretionary Fund and Food Pantry
The fund is used by Dr. Judson to assist members and non-members alike with money for rent, utilities, or food. These funds are for temporary and emergency uses only. Additionally, church members contribute canned goods and other non-perishables to the church’s food pantry for distribution to those in need. Contact: John Judson.
Mission Road Development Center
A San Antonio-based center for children and adults with mental retardation. They provide a house like environment and life skills training for their residents. The youth groups from Covenant have shared Christian fellowship with some of the residents. Contact: Jim De Hoog. http://missionroadministries.org/
Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services
Located in Itasca, San Antonio, Duncanville, and Austin. Provides shelter, counseling, education, spiritual guidance and loving care for dependent, abused and neglected young people for almost 100 years. http://pchas.org
San Antonio Community of Churches
One hundred and fifty five local congregations working together, across denominational lines, to meet the needs of the people of San Antonio. The CROP walk for world hunger is one of their major endeavors. Contact: Royal Elmore.
San Antonio Metropolitan Ministries (SAMM)
Helps meet the basic needs of homeless individuals and families by providing an environment, which accentuates the dignity and self-worth of each person. Covenant provides regular volunteers and clothing donations in addition to a special Christmas time food offering. Contact: Steve Wilson. http://samm.org
San Antonio Rescue Mission
A local mission with the purpose of proclaiming the Gospel as well as meeting the basic physical needs of men who enter their doors. Those who enter will find a hot meal, clean bed, and encouragement. http://agrm.org
John Knox Ranch
This 300-acre Presbyterian youth camp and retreat facility is located in the beautiful hill country near Fischer, Texas. The purpose of the summer camp program is to offer experiences of Christian Community to children. During the spring, fall, and winter the ranch operates as a retreat center. http://www.johnknoxranch.org
Presbyterian Pan American School
A Presbyterian church-related (boarding and day) high school located in Kingsville. The mission of the school is to equip young people for leadership in their world and church, with an emphasis on excellence in education and training in an environment reflecting a commitment to Jesus Christ. Covenant contributes to the scholarship fund. http://ppas.org
Literacy & Evangelism International – André Noureux
LEI reaches out to illiterate peoples of over 40 nations. LEI writes Bible story primers for their literacy program. Our LEI missionary, André Noureux, is currently working in Sierra Leone, West Africa, to train Christian teachers to use the Limba primer and to develop a biblical primer for the Muslim Susa people. http://literacyevangelism.org
Wycliffe Bible Translators – Ken and Noreen McElhanon
The McElhanons spent years living in a small village in Papua New Guinea creating a written language and translating the New Testament for the villagers. Ken now teaches prospective translators preparing them for the difficulties to be experienced in their individual field assignments. Noreen, a trained counselor, assists missionaries with the many emotional obstacles that are met in the field. http://wycliffe.org
New Church Development
To express our commitment to the promotion of Christ’s mission in the world, the session and congregation of Covenant have pledged 10% of the proceeds from the recent “All God’s Children II” capital campaign to sponsor new church development somewhere in the world. This will amount to approximately $50,000.
Covenant Presbyterian Church is a member of Mission Presbytery, the regional judicatory of the Presbyterian Church (USA), which is comprised of 159 congregations in south central Texas. Our annual pledge to the work of the greater church is $13,000. http://pcusa.org
Love in Action
Young Nepali girls are often sold into prostitution by their parents and taken to India to work. The plight of these girls weighed heavily on the heart of Sue Halstead. In 1987 with the support of her church in England she opened a home in Nepal where the girls are nursed back to health, taught skills to help support themselves, and most importantly learn about the love of God. Contacts: Don and Dottie Dawson.
Mission India
Trains national Indian evangelists via an in-the-field, yearlong training program. Prayer Cells meet nightly in homes for worship, Bible study and prayer. These nucleus churches, with their own leadership, start the multiplication process, creating new Prayer Cells. Mission India is also well known for the distribution of Bibles and literacy training in a country that is 64% illiterate. http://www.missionindia.org
Alas de Socorro – Miguel Aguayo Family
Alas de Socorro (Wings of Help) provides emergency medical evacuations, disaster relief, community development, communication and transportation for evangelistic mission projects and work teams and a much needed supply line for missionaries in the field. The Aguayos provide this vital link in the mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico with the help of two Cessna 206 planes. http://maf.org
Project Amistad
A ministry of the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), located in Piedras Negras, Mexico. It develops churches, offers service to the community and helps unite two cultures in worship and service to the Lord Jesus Christ. Covenant works closely with Project Amistad not only financially but also by sending medical teams. http://www.binationalministry.org/proyectoamistad.htm
San Pablo Seminary
Pastor training is critical to the spreading of ‘The Word.” Covenant provides scholarship money for San Pablo Seminary in Merida, Mexico. Covenant missionary Don Wehmeyer serves on the faculty.
Wehmeyer Family – Mexico
The Wehmeyers, Don and Martha, are our missionaries in Merida, Mexico. Don is an evangelist, church planter and also serves on the faculty at San Pablo Presbyterian Seminary in Merida. Seminary students serve numerous new churches and convert many to Christianity everyday. whemeyer.htm
Campus Crusade for Christ – Price Family
Gary and Cheryl Price and their five sons serve with Campus Crusade for Christ in Durban, South Africa. They work at the University of Natal, which has a large Indian population comprised of many Hindus and Muslims. Their goal is to help fulfill the Great Commission (Matt. 28: 18-20) by winning students to Christ, building them in their new faith, and then sending them to reach others. Cheryl Price is the daughter of Covenant members Robert and Liane Coyle and the granddaughter of the late Estelle Kelly.
Church Building in Kenya - pictures - movie
Covenant has committed itself to the construction of several "Mabati" (iron sheet) churches in the East African Nation of Kenya. In partnership with the Presbyterian Church of East Africa we are providing funds and manpower for the building of these churches. We provided funding for the construction of our first mabati church in 2003, sent funds and people to construct a mabati church in the summer of 2004, and provided funds to complete the stone Najile church in December 2004. These churches are being built for future congregations. The church in Kenya is growing so quickly that as soon as a church building is constructed there are people to fill it.
