Missions

Global

SC Project Agape

Unidos por las misma sangre
(United by the Same Blood)

When Olin and Jim McBride came to Starkville, First Presbyterian Church gained an energetic minister in Olin and a dedicated missionary in Jim. Both Olin and Jim are deeply involved in the South Carolina Project Agape Foundation. The Foundation began as a foreign mission ministry to Quimistan, Honduras in response to Hurricane Mitch in 1999 by the South Aiken Presbyterian Church, where Olin served as pastor for 10 years.

Since arriving at First Presbyterian Church in 2003, Jim has led several mission teams from our church to Quimistan. As a result, First Presbyterian Church is fully engaged “Sister Church” to the Agape Church in Quimistan, which is led by Pastor René Jerezano. The mission teams from both our church and other churches from various states have supported this church and community by helping finance and build cement block homes for the poorest of the poor. This effort has provided twenty-five homes thus far. Teams have also constructed a medical clinic for utilization by short-term mission teams and local physicians and dentists who provide periodic medial and dental treatment. A deep-water well was drilled and a water tower was built to provide clean drinking water. Currently, construction of an industrial kitchen and four classrooms are underway to support the “Lily of the Valley” project for Compassion International, which provides food and support for the children in the community. A recent trip provided repairs of the roof, toilets, chalkboards and construction of the bookshelves and additional toilets for the public elementary school. Each team helps provide school supplies for students and teachers.

Since 1999, the mission efforts have grown into an ecumenical collaboration that includes various churches and civic groups throughout the southeastern U.S., including First Presbyterian Church here in Starkville. The rapid growth and participation by diverse organization has necessitated the establishment of a separate non-profit foundation to manage the future work. In 2003 The South Carolina Project Agape Foundation was formed. The Foundation’s goals is to continue manifesting the love of Jesus Christ to the people of Honduras by providing medical and health care and education, resources to construct homes, care for the children, and other support for the community of believers.

Would you like to support this mission? We hope so and your help would be welcome in any form. For more information visit the website at www.scprojectagape.com/scpa/ and please contact the church at 662-323-1994 or email us

Compassion International

Compassion International is an evangelical Christian child development ministry dedicated to helping children in need around the world. Compassion’s programs help release children from poverty in Jesus’ name and enable them to become responsible, fulfilled adults.

Compassion International equips children for the future by providing for their core needs – spiritual, physical, economic and social. By working with local church-based organizations, Compassion’s program offers educational opportunities, health care and health-related instruction, supplemental nutrition, if needed, life-skills training and opportunities to hear about and respond to the gospel.

Founded in 1952 from the despair of the Korean War, Compassion International started by helping in one country, South Korea, and nurturing 35 orphaned children. Today Compassion International is working in over 20 developing countries with over 2,800 projects and more and 600,000 children.

Compassion partners with local churches and church-related organizations to help them implement programs for children in their communities. Project staff workers are trained members of the community who become personally acquainted with the children and their families, enabling Compassion programs to provide directed assistance to children as needed. Through one-on-one sponsors, Compassion links caring individuals with children living in poverty. Sponsorship is a powerful developmental tool that gives children hope, encouragement and an often-neglected message: that they matter.

Quimistan, Honduras

One of the Compassion International projects is specifically associated with the Agape Christian Center in Quimistan, Honduras. The children in the Quimistan Project receive meals (typically twice a week), Christian education, medical checkups, assistance with schoolwork, schools supplies and help with other needs. There are currently about 350 children in this project. Our mission teams have seen first-hand the positive impact this project has made with these children. The name of the Quimistan Project is “Centro de Desarrollo Infantile Lirio del Valle” (Center for Infantile Development – Lilly of the Valley). The project number HO406.

The cost to sponsor a child is $32.00 per month. If you would like to sponsor a child specifically in Quimistan it is very important that you specify the Project #HO406 on the sponsor form or by phone. During times when there may be no child available for immediate sponsorship, just ask to be put on a waiting list until a child is available. You may also go to the website, www.compassion.com. Choose Central America and then Honduras. Photos of children will appear and you will then have to search each individual to find their project name and number.

Once you enroll a sponsorship package will arrive in about 10 days which includes a photo and information about your child, how to write him or her and a video about Compassion International.

You may pay by check, bank draft, or credit card.

Compassion is a member of several accredited agencies, including Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance. To remain financially accountable, Compassion conducts regular internal audits to ensure the children are receiving the opportunities and benefits promised. Compassion was recognized in Forbes’ “Giving Smartly” charities listing, The Nonprofit Times’ “Top 100 Revenues,” The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s “Philanthropy 400,” and the American Institute of Philanthropy’s “Top-rated Charities.”