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 10% 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.

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

Orange County Rescue Village of Hope
Orange County Rescue Village of Hope is a facility providing 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.
www.rescuemission.org/needhelp/voh/intro/intro.htm

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.

South County Outreach
South County Outreach provides a food bank serviced by Genevans. They also provide job counseling and other services for homeless people.

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 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, the center is short of funds and crowded with clients needing help. For information, contact Director Gemma Heffernan at (949) 855-9444.

Aliso Viejo Family Resource Center
Geneva volunteers also help kids with their homework through the After-school Homework Club at the Aliso Viejo Family Resource Center, located in the nearby Iglesia Park Community Center. The Club tutors between 80 and 100 elementary school students 5 days a week in subjects ranging from reading to computer science.
Geneva also contributes backpacks for students, Christmas presents fpr students and their families, Mother's Day presents, books, games, and household items - along with lots of love and caring.
If you would like to help some of great kids with their homework, call Joan Burge at 949-830-9120.

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian
We partner with Hoag to provide quality medical services locally and in Kenya.
Contact Colette Cozean at ccozean@cox.net.

Geneva Sponsored Missionaries

Rubens Muzio, 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 Rubens Muzio. Geneva continues to offer financial and prayer support to ministers to this nation. Rubens just published a book on church planting & growth in Brazil. He also discusses the need for a "robust theology". Bill & Laurie Keges, US missionaries just arrived to support Rubens ministry, which included teaching at Evangelical Christian Seminary.

Devir Perez, Mexico
Geneva has had a relationship with Pastor Devir for over fifteen 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. Devir now heads the Baja Presbytery raising up and growing young pastors.

Jane Holslag
Jane returned last year 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 in Kenya, East Africa(www.eastafricapartnership.org)
Since 1998 Geneva has partnered with the growing presbytery of Limuru in Kenya, East Africa, providing financial and human resources support to grow self-sustaining, Kenya-led ministries. Keep up with what's happing on this year's Mission Trip to Kenya by reading current blog posts and archived blogs at 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(48 boys) and girls(84 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 14 dispensaries/health centers in May 2010 with a goal of providing local healthcare within Lumuru Presbytery. Over 80 companies and individuals contributed medical equipment($12 million in 2009) and funds. The medical team trained dispensary personnel, 4 parish nurses who will offer care at churches and in mobile clinics and healthcare workers, who will educate at churches and schools. The Presbytery has been given 24 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.

Education The Dick Grace Scholarship program supports approximately 20 students per year through seconary school, university and post graduate school. These recipients give back to the community for a minimum of 3 years.

Farming, Water & Irrigation The Partnership has drilled or caused to be drilled 27 boreholes. We have recently been given tens of thousands of acres of farmlands in Kenya and Tanzania to manage providing food security, water security, employment and improved health. Water irrigation and conservation programs in conjunction with University of California, Irvine, UNESCO & Presbytery are key to this effort.

Witnessing Ministries of Christ This ministry reaches the "untouchables" of India with the Living Word of God. Targeting a region, Witnessing Ministries leads people to Christ, plants churches, teaches literacy, and provides vocational training. Each region becomes self-sustaining. Inspire International's mission is to make the Bible accessible and affordable to people groups in India in their own languages. They also invest in education and character development of the next generation.

Operation Christmas Child Each year Genevans pack and ship more than 150 shoeboxes filled with Christmas gifts for children around the world. We also serve as a local distribution site.

Amor Ministries Geneva youth spend their Easter vacation building houses for needy families in Mexico. They get to know the family and neighbors as they work and share.

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