Outreach & Missions Our congregation recognizes itself as being part of the body of Christ that extends around the world.  Here are some ways we share the love of God with our brothers and sisters in the faith: Local Service and Outreach   As part of our annual operating budget, our church is proud to allocate a percentage of our finances to various local mission projects.  Some of these include:   Yokefellow Cooperative Ministries Habitat for Humanity Shepherd’s House Children’s Center of Surry Mexico Mission Hebron Foundation Surry Medical Ministries Meals on Wheels In Home Services/Senior Services Young Life of Mount Airy  Mount Airy CROP Hunger Walk

Our congregation collects Food of the Month items for Yokefellow Ministries, our local food bank. There is a basket upstairs in the hallway of the church for collections. We encourage all members and visitors to bring items with them to church on Sundays.   Recently we have embarked on two new initiatives.  In 2005, our church joined a partnership of other churches in our community with Habitat for Humanity’s Apostle Build.  Together we are committed to building not just a house but an entire neighborhood of six homes.  This project will last for three years and is but one aspect of our support and involvement with this worthwhile organization.  In the fall of 2006, our congregation will team with other churches in our area to offer a Thursday night meal for the homeless.  First Presbyterian will be responsible for providing volunteers to serve food on the third Thursday of each month.  Financial support for local ministries is important, but so is volunteerism.  We are always looking for people of all ages who are able to give a little bit of their time to share Christ’s love with others.  To learn more about how you can help, speak with the moderator of the session’s Service & Outreach Ministry team.  Mission Trip Experiences   We are proud that members of our church strive to serve others in distant locations.  For one week each summer, the youth of our church follow Christ’s command to “go out into the world” and extend God’s love and grace to others—always finding they are blessed in return.  Previous destinations have included: Georgia, Tennessee, the Bahamas, and Morehead City, NC.  Our adults are also involved in mission experiences, through Salem Presbytery’s Mexico Mission Trip program and two trips in the spring of 2006 to hurricane-ravaged sections of Mississippi.     MOUNT AIRY CROP HUNGER WALK Over 2000 communities across the country host CROP Hunger Walks every year.  In May 2007, the community of Mount Airy came together to host its first CROP Hunger Walk - raising both funds and awareness to fight hunger and poverty, both locally and around the world.  Over 350 walkers of all ages and backgrounds walked the 5K course around town, raising $14,500. First Presbyterian Church was proud to have over 50 walkers and contributions totaling $2500!  For more information about future walks and pictures from the most recent one, please visit http://www.myspace.com/mountairywalks4hunger. We really can make a difference - WE WALK BECAUSE THEY WALK!

The Mills Family in Mission   Our church is proud to have one of our own, the Mills family, serving full-time in missions abroad.  John, Ginny, Holly and Maggie Mills are serving the Lord in Ocosingo, Mexico from January 2006 through August 2008.  Please check out www.millsfamilymission.org to learn more about their labors and how you might take part in their mission!   We are always looking for individuals who wish to volunteer and become involved with the various service and mission opportunities in our church.  For more information, please contact the moderator of the Service & Outreach Ministry Team.