Westminster Church

Mission

"As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world."

John 17:18

Scripture describes the first disciples as “sent” people; sent into the world to share the love of Jesus Christ with our neighbors, colleagues, friends and even strangers and foes. Jesus modeled this for his followers saying, “Whatever you have done for the least of these, you have done for me.” Like him, we are confronted regularly with the disparities of life; those who are homeless, hungry, jobless, lonely, abandoned, without medical care, or with children or parents or others to care for, and who are also spiritually adrift.

Since we began meeting as a Sunday school we have been generously reaching out to the people in our community who have needed a warm meal, a place to sleep for the night or stay until they could get back on their feet, someone to tend to their injuries and illnesses and/or give them some encouragement and hope. Here are just a few of the dozens of ministries we have supported over the years with not only our financial resources but also with our time, training and personal talents:

Members building a house.

"Katrina Response"

(The Little Church that could)

Following Hurricane Katrina our congregation mobilized for recovery. Within days of the storm our members gathered at the church for prayer, and then moved out into the community to help one another, our neighbors, and lot of other people in many other areas of the city get their lives back in order. We made sure everyone, first and foremost, had the basic necessities of life. Then we moved to the “blue roof” (those “lovely” blue tarps that were nailed to roofs until shingles can arrive and replace them) and clean up phase of recovery. Partnering with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and other state and local agencies and organizations, we next moved into the rebuilding phase of our recovery efforts.

During this phase we began to welcome the first of what would be over 13,000 volunteers we hosted from across the country over three years. They came to insulate, sheetrock, mud, paint and rehabilitate hundreds of homes all over Gulfport and the surrounding community. They cooked in our commercial kitchen, slept in bunk houses and the sanctuary, had Wednesday night dinner with us, used our laundry, and attended worship with us. They were from every state in the union and most Providences of Canada; and from nearly every denomination and civic group in the US. Our church suffered some wear and tear but through it all, we also made some lifetime friends and gained the best feeling in the world.

Members building a house.

Finally, in our most recent phase of recovery, we have partnered with the Amish and Mennonites, as well as several other construction partners and local, state and national agencies and organizations to actually build brand new homes for those who either lost them in the storm or have been living in sub-standard housing since Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast. Our partnership with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and volunteers from across the country drew to a close at the end of June 2010. We are deeply appreciative of everyone�s efforts and feel we have formed many life-long relationships even as we have returned hundreds of families to safe and affordable housing in the aftermath of this hurricane. �Well done, good and faithful servants�� It has been an honor hosting and working alongside you!

We invite you to direct your questions regarding our Mission efforts to: Rena Dukes

 

Special Events