Women have always served invaluable to the church. First Church is a community where the role of women is valued and supported. OurWomen’s Ministryworks to make certain the women of our church have a place to gather, bond, and address their unique needs and aspirations, by providing the following:
Bible studies
Mentorship programs
Social events
Various women-led activities
This ministry is designed to foster an environment of love, encouragement, and empowerment, to help women actualize their full potential, bring joy to each other’s lives, and build meaningful relationships in faith, with other like-minded women.
Health & Wellness
OurHealth and Wellness Ministryconsists of a dedicated team of individuals who promote overall well-being among our members and community. With the help of a range of programs and activities, we aim to empower and encourage individuals to take an active role in their health, while supporting them in their journey toward physical, mental, and spiritual wellness. We use various methods, including:
Exercise
Nutrition classes
Stress management workshops
Community health fairs
At First Church, we believe health and wellness are an integral part of living a fulfilled and meaningful life, and crucial to our mission to serve and care for those around us.
Prayer
At First Church, offering prayer is an essential aspect of our faith, and ourPrayer Ministryis designed to help members grow in their relationship with God. Through prayer and remembrance, this ministry strives to provide a supportive and encouraging environment, where members build a sense of community, including coming together to pray, worship, and learning how to make prayer a central part of daily living. Our range of activities include:
Small groups
Retreats
Regular gatherings
This ministry aims to empower members to pray with confidence, to cultivate the powerful relationship that results from prayer between God and petitioners, and to know how to hear from God, in the process of praying.
Membership Care
One of the first things you will come to understand about First Church is that it is a community of believers that care. Thus, ourMembership Care Ministryworks daily to address the needs of its members. Whether due to unexpected circumstances, such as illness, job loss, or bereavement, you will find that First Church will be present in your time of need. We see this as actualizing one of our most important goals, and that is to promote love and support among our community members. At First Church, our ministry provides practical assistance through the following:
Counseling
Financial support
Encouragement, during hardships.
We are family at First Church, and families help each other in times of need.
Youth
OurYouth Ministryworks to inspire youth between the ages of 3 – 17, to understand their place in the worship experience. This program is designed to address modern issues and offers a safe space for explorative questions regarding faith, God, and life, in general, while ensuring an environment that is interesting and engaging.
Offering a range of activities to facilitate learning and discovery across a broad range of topics, program participants are affordedyouth clubsthat encourage age-appropriate socialization. We want our youth to come to know God early in life, in a way that meets them where they are and, overtime, helps them to discover their purpose, equipping them with lifelong tools to make a difference in the world.
Young Adults & College (18-35)
Our Young Adults/College Ministry is designed specifically to nurture growth, build relationships, and enrich the spiritual development of individuals ages 18 to 35. Our aim is to help young adults cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, as they flourish and mature. This ministry includes diverse educational and relational opportunities, which allows our young adults to connect and grow in their faith journey. We believe individuals in their 20s and 30s amass a wide range of life experiences; thus, this ministry seeks to meet the divergent needs of young adults and support them as they navigate this exciting stage of life.
Worship Arts
Our Worship Arts Ministry includes varied forms of expression, such as choir, dance, media, and technology, to create an all-encompassing worship experience that is uplifting and inspiring. This ministry purposes to bring together artists and musicians with the objective of creating a dynamic worship experience, to help individuals discover Jesus in new and invigorating ways. Be it through song, movement, or visual media, our Worship Arts Ministry is dedicated to making the worship experience a stirring moment with God, to progress a community of creatives seeking to use their gifts to glorify God.
Community Development (501C-3)
Along with its various spiritual ministries, First Church is home to its own nonprofit,Westside Restoration Corporation (WRC),an IRS-approved 501 (c) (3), established in 1999 as a charitable community redevelopment center, providing a range of services and programming to the local community. WRC works to effect positive outcomes for those served through the following initiatives:
Reading Readiness (June – August) Registration
After School Kare (ASK)
Trips to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
Legislative field trips for youth, and much more.
WRC’s ultimate goal is to improve the community, while helping to shape the future of our youth.