First Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg

Mission Trips	Hurricane Katrina Relief \| Dominican Republic \| Costa Rica \| Ghana \|
The reach of our congregation’s mission extends around the world. In our outreach, we work with both residents and missionaries on-site to develop sustainable programs that are organized and led by local leaders. If you are interested in participating in a mission trip, please click here for a Mission Trip Application. Once completed, please return it to the Church Office. An application must be completed for each trip in which you take part. For Youth Mission Trips, please click here.

Hurricane Relief Since the first weeks after Hurricane Katrina hit the US Gulf Coast, Disaster Response Mission Teams from First Presbyterian have traveled to Mississippi to help with recovery and construction. Our work has centered on the community of Long Beach, MS. We have enjoyed a special partnership with Long Beach Presbyterian Church, which operates a work camp out of its church facility. 2007 Mississippi Mission Trips: Come on our 14th & 15th trips to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to help with reconstruction after Hurricane Katrina. The need is still great—please join us to lend a hand. The cost of the trip is $150 and scholarships are available. To sign up, contact Shannon Stewart (sstewart@fpcspartanburg.org 208-2132). 14th trip: Friday, Oct. 12-Tuesday, Oct. 16 15th trip: Sunday, Nov. 11-Friday, Nov. 16

Dominican Republic (back to top) Since 1993, we have partnered with Solid Rock Missions and the Clínica Cristiana de Salud Integral in San Juan de la Maguana, DR. Each year three mission teams travel to the poorest region of the Dominican Republic to provide surgical services, medical care, dental clinics, construction support, and spiritual outreach through Vacation Bible Schools. In 1994 we assisted Solid Rock with construction of the Christian Center for Education and Development, a pre-K through 12th grade school. In addition to standard curriculum, learning at the school includes music, photography, computer literacy, and vocational training. Members of First Presbyterian sponsor over 100 children at the school. If you are interested in sponsoring a child, click here to connect to the website for Solid Rock Missions. Sponsorship can only be handled through Solid Rock. 2008 Dominican Republic Winter Mission: We will travel to the Dominican Republic this winter for two medical, dental, & construction trips. The cost of each trip is $1200, and scholarships are available. Contact Shannon Stewart (sstewart@fpcspartanburg.org 208-2132) for details. The deadline to sign up is Oct. 15, so call today! Week 1 Trip: Saturday, January 26-Saturday, February 2 Week 2 Trip: Saturday, February 2-Saturday, February 9

Costa Rica (back to top) First Presbyterian travels each summer to Costa Rica to support the growing Presbyterian church in the northwestern Guanacaste Province, the poorest area of the country. In partnership with Medical Missions, Inc., based in Columbia, SC, we assist with the construction of churches, schools, and medical clinics. 2008 Costa Rica Mission Trip (July 12-19): Watch for more details as our 2008 trip to Costa Rica takes shape. If you are interested in traveling to Costa Rica, contact Shannon Stewart (208-2132, sstewart@fpcspartanburg.org). Join us!

Ghana (back to top) We participate in the Foothills Presbytery partnership with Kwahu Presbytery in Ghana. Involved for over twenty years in this mission, First Presbyterian has provided major funding for churches, an orphanage, and the Donkorkrom Hospital in Ghana. Every two years delegates from Kwahu Presbytery journey to the SC Upstate to visit congregations in our Presbytery. On years in between these visits, a delegation from Foothills Presbytery travels to Ghana to visit churches in Kwahu Presbytery. 2007 Ghanaian Delegation Visit (September 28-October 13): This fall, Foothills Presbytery welcomes delegates from Kwahu Presbytery to South Carolina. On Sunday, October 7, First Presbyterian will celebrate World Communion Sunday by hosting one of these delegates. We will also receive the annual Peacemaking Offering, and 25% of this offering will be given to support the Foothills Presbytery Ghana Partnership mission. 2008 Foothills Presbytery Trip to Ghana: In the fall of 2008, representatives of Foothills Presbytery will travel to Ghana to visit our colleagues in Kwahu Presbytery. If you are interested in this trip, contact Shannon Stewart (208-2132, sstewart@fpcspartanburg.org) for details.