MISSION & Outreach

We are actively involved with other churches in the area responding to the concerns of homelessness, hunger, loneliness and other needs of our neighbors in Christ, who might be:

Homeless

We join with other congregations in a hands-on mission under the Family Promise of Monmouth Co. network in helping families who find themselves temporarily homeless. We provide warmth, shelter and food in our building to several families 4 or 5 times a year, and in doing so put our faith into action. Many volunteers are needed and always welcome. Training is provided before  hosting sessions, so we can be the best hosts possible to our guests.

We offer a Pasta Dinner and Fun Activity every spring, as our annual fund-raiser for Family Promise. We have the best of home-made food and a welcoming atmosphere. Come support us in our efforts! 

We support the Board of Family Promise in their Fun Run at Long Branch boardwalk each spring, as they raise awareness & funds for their program expenses. Full details on their site - http://www.familypromisemc.org

"I was a stranger and you welcomed me" - Matt.25 v35 

Hungry

We support the Open Door food pantry in Freehold in their mission to feed the poor & hungry by collecting non-perishable food every Sunday. We collect a donation of small change in “mission pots” on the last Sunday of the month before both services.

We take special Thanksgiving and SOUP-er Bowl Collections, to share our blessings with the hungry, in thanks to God.  All are encouraged to give as they are able.
Visit http://www.freeholdareaopendoor.org

"I was hungry and you gave me food" - Matt.25 v 35

Lonely

We visit nursing homes in the area on the third Saturday of each month, on a rotating basis, as a way of showing the residents that they are valued, still loved by Jesus and not forgotten. 

We bring cookies and smiles to share with God’s love. All are invited to participate, especially children. 

"I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to me" - Matt.25 v36

Cold

During the winter months, when unskilled work is scarce, we give hands-on support to the Sanctuary Program organized by the Latino Leadership Alliance of Monmouth Co. which provides breakfast and lunch every Saturday from the Reformed Church’s facility, for the working poor, mostly Latino day laborers. It’s a place for people to come in out of the cold, sit down, get a warm meal and enjoy a little fellowship.

It’s also a place where volunteers from our church meet other compassionate souls of all ages from other faiths and other congregations in the community. It’s truly a place to grow in Christ’s love.  We cook, serve, clean up and have fun!

"What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?" - Micah 6 v9

Devastated

When people have suffered the ravages of war, drought, floods, fire, earthquake, tsunamis, famine, - they’re devastated!  It’s then that Church World Service is ready immediately to send blankets, tents, and hygiene kits to the devastated area, here in the US or overseas. This well-established interfaith organization plans carefully and always has stocks of supplies on hand for these disasters. We are blessed to be able to partner with CWS in raising funds through Crop Walk.

Freehold Crop Hunger Walk is a sponsored walk to address the needs and root causes of world hunger. It takes place on the third Sunday of October every year. Our church participates as Walkers who raise funds and Sponsors who donate.  All ages have fun participating  in this 1, 3 or 5 mile walk and 25% of funds raised are designated to Open Door food pantry in Freehold, with the rest going to Church World Service.  See http://www.churchworldservice.org

"Jesus said, 'They need not go away; you  give them something to eat.' They said to Him, 'We have only five loaves here and two fish ... And those who ate were about five thousand." - Matt.14  16-21

Voiceless

Situated in Freehold, our church finds itself with many neighbors who cannot communicate adequately in English.  We are happy that we can give them voices by joining with Literacy Volunteers of Monmouth Co. in tutoring English to non-native speakers.  We hold this as a mission of love in our group tutoring sessions once a week, held at the United Methodist Church of Freehold. Training is provided by LVA every few months.  See http://www.lvmonmouthnj.org

Our church also opens its doors on Thursday evenings for an English Conversation Group, where intermediate-level speakers can practice their language skills in a safe, friendly environment.

"A new commandment I give you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you" - John 14 v.34

Poor

At Christmas, we decorate our Christmas Giving Tree with the names of those in the community who wouldn’t receive any Christmas gifts because their families are too poor. It’s a great joy to our congregation to be able to provide the basic clothing requested, as well as some books and toys for our smallest neighbors and even a Bible for their parents.  We give to others at this special time of year, just as the God gave us His Son, Jesus, the greatest gift of all!

"Then opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold, frankincense & myrrh" - Matt.2 v11

Strangers

We support a Mission Co-Worker through the Presbyterian Church(USA), in his or her  work of bringing the good news of Christ by means of caring service to strangers in various parts of God’s world.
See http://www.pcusa.org/navigation/mission.htm

"Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" - Matt.28 v19-20