Mission

We at Geneva Presbyterian Church acknowledge the call of Jesus Christ to make disciples of all nations, and to reach out with His love to a hurting world. God has given us the privilege of being his agents in seeking out the lost, feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, and bringing justice to the oppressed.

In order to fulfill Christ’s vision for us, we are involved in both global and local mission efforts, with an emphasis on hands-on work at the local level. This includes setting aside roughly 7% of our annual budget to support the ministries and partnerships we have with the presbytery at the local and national level, thus supporting oversees missionaries, hospitals, schools, orphanages and countless projects operated at the various levels of our denomination. The programs listed below are in addition to this effort.

Assistance to Victims of Bangladesh Cyclone

Assistance to Victims of Hurricane Katrina
Please click here to visit our information page.


Geneva Hunger Program
The Geneva Hunger Program distributes money and nonperishable food items donated by Genevans to two local agencies that work with the poor and homeless in our community. We also give to the Presbyterian Hunger Program, which reaches out to the poor all over the world. The agencies that the Geneva Hunger Program partners with are:

South County Outreach
Orange County Rescue Mission
Presbyterian Hunger Program

Local Ministries

Orange County Rescue Village of Hope
Orange County Rescue Village of Hope is a facility nearing completion at the old Tustin Marine Air Station. It provides temporary housing and food to homeless families, while providing counseling and job placement services to the parent(s) to help them find employment and permanent housing. Over Thanksgiving, Geneva donated food to provide a scrumptious Thanksgiving meal.

Orange County Rescue House of Hope
Orange County Rescue House of Hope provides shelter and food to homeless women and their children in Orange County. Geneva's Presbyterian Women have long supported this agency.

Beacon Prison Ministry
Provides Bibles, Bible study materials, and worship services for men in a local prison.

South County Adult Day Care Center
Geneva members are now volunteering daily at the center located across El Toro Road from Geneva. The facility has undergone a recent renovation with rooms repainted. Like many non-profit organizations, they are short of funds and crowded with clients needing help. They have advised Geneva that church members that need their services and live in Laguna Woods Village are eligible for scholarships funded by the Laguna Woods Village Foundation. For information, contact Director Gemma Heffernan at (949) 855-9444.
The center has also given us the following "wish list" of items they can use. They need:
• Washer and dryer (up and over set that fits on top of one another)
• Microwave oven
• Printer (Social Services Office)
• Bingo prizes
• Crafts/gift cards for craft store (i.e. Michael's or similar craft store that provides paint and brushes for art work)
• Scanner (computer)
• Computer and printer (for nursing)
• New phone system (the current system is antiquated with no voice mail or answering capability)
If you have any questions, please call Director Gemma Heffernan at (949) 855-9444.

Global Ministries and Partners

Joining Hearts and Hands Initiative
In response to the need for people at home and abroad to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the national governing body of the Presbyterian Church, is spearheading a five-year, $40 million capital campaign to expand new church development at home and expand our missionary reach around the world. Geneva will be contributing funds to this initiative in support of this very worthy effort.

Geneva Sponsored Missionaries

Rubens Muzio and Nelio Dasilva, Brazil
In the last 25 years there has been a huge growth and spiritual awakening in the Brazilian Church, due in large part to the efforts of missionaries such as Rubens Muzio and Nelio Dasilva. Geneva continues to offer financial and prayer support to these two servants of God as they continue to minister to this nation. Nelio recently visited Geneva to report on his activities. He and his wife Tereza, have planted four churchesamong Brazilian immigrants in U.S. and in Brazil. Currently, he is leading weekend retreats throughout Brazil where he trains influential church leaders and pastors. Together, the Da Silva's counsel couples struggling with ministry and personal crises.

Devir Perez, Mexico
Geneva has had a relationship with Pastor Devir for over ten years, starting with our high school group visiting his church in Mexicali. We have followed his ministry to Tecate and Los Cabos (where we helped build housing for Devir and his family). Devir recently became the pastor of a small church in Tijuana. Devir is a wonderful example of how powerfully the Spirit of God can minister through a faithful vessel.

Jane Holslag
Jane is just returning to the mission field after taking a study leave to complete her doctoral dissertation. She teaches theology and English to students at Lithuanian Christian College (just renamed as a university). In this role, she has an opportunity to teach "Bible" to the unchurched throughout Eastern Europe. Jane just met with our mission commission and our LOGOS youth during a visit to Geneva.

"Feet out the Door" Serving our Community

Via Iglesia
Just down the street, Geneva has adopted a Boys and Girls Club reaching an Hispanic population. Genevans volunteer their time to help with homework and reading. During October, we held a Pumpkin Carving Festival, which was well attended by both the community and Genevans.

South County Day Services
This Alzheimer's Center across the street serves the needs of more than 100 Alzheimer's patients and their families. Genevans volunteer to serve food, bring dogs, play piano and just visit with patients.

Los Ranchos and Limuru Presbytery Partnership
Since 1998 Geneva has partnered with this growing presbytery in Kenya, Africa providing financial and human resources support. Keep up with what's happing on this year's Mission Trip to Kenya by reading blog posts from Dr. Colette Cozean and the Mission and Medical Teams.

Orphans With over 1 million orphans in Kenya due to the devastation of illness and poverty, we have partnered to build a boys and girls home for orphans. In addition, we are sponsoring an orphan and his "adopting" family for $20/month to enable orphans to stay in a home and within their community.

Medical The partnership equipped five dispensaries/health centers in August 2007 with a goal of providing local healthcare within Lumuru Presbytery. Over 80 companies and individuals contributed medical equipment and funds. The medical team trained dispensary personnel, 22 parish nurses who will offer care at churches and in mobile clinics and healthcare workers, who will educate at churches and schools. Since this trip, the Presbytery has been given two more dispensaries to sponsor. On-going medical training trips will continue every 3-4 months to further training of medical personnel. Contact Colette Cozean at ccozean@cox.net for donations of medical equipment or to participate in a trip.

Contact the Mission Commission to share your "feet out the door" mission or to find opportunities where you can serve.