Mission Information

Missions Committee Vision

As disciples, we seek to empower and equip our congregation to witness and serve people in a world that needs God in both spiritual and physical ways. We strive to strengthen the congregation’s enthusiasm and involvement in missions support throughout every aspect of church life.

 

Missions Committee Mission

We are believers, guiding our congregation to embrace missions as a joyous privilege to participate in the coming of the kingdom of God. We endeavor to build increased engagement in mission support through prayer, personal involvement, and financial support.

Because we’ve been called to be a witnessing people, we grant priority to those missions and concerns

• in which our church can be most involved
• in which will have the largest conversion-effect on seekers in the world and in our
• community
• in which will have the largest disciple-making effect on our congregation

Birchwood Short-Term Missions

 

Food for the Hungry: Guatemala

Food for the Hungry and Birchwood joined hands in partnership in 2003 by adopting the very small village of Kanaquil, consisting of about 100 families, located in the highlands of Guatemala. Our adoption agreement means that we are committed to sending a team from Birchwood each year for five years to provide practical help in the form of sponsorships for children, short-term building projects connected with the local school, and Bible school for children. In addition, we are in frequent communication with them, praying and encouraging them in their efforts to improve their lives and grow as Christians. Birchwood families currently sponsor over 35 children from Kanaquil and a neighboring village through Food for the Hungry.

Food for the Hungry’s goal is to train leaders, families and churches through their vision of community. Birchwood’s Guatemala teams consist of 12-14 people, with each team made up of equal numbers of repeaters and new members.

 

Local Missions

 

The Inn

Purpose: An outreach mission to college students, both believers and seekers. The ministry conducts Tuesday night worship and relationship-building programs with 300-350 students attending; sponsors mission trips, outdoor recreation trips, and local Christian service experiences.

Volunteer Opportunities: Help prepare dinner for 20-25 student worship leaders and staff on Tuesday evenings (monthly or occasionally); lead Bible studies or special interest groups; step up for other individual “behind the scenes” work opportunities such as office work or grant-writing.

Contact: 733-7704 www.theinnministries.org

 

Lighthouse Mission

Purpose: A free crisis shelter for men, women, and children which also offers hot meals open to the public three times a day. The Mission provides clients with personal needs items, clothing, and furniture; weekly medical clinic access; medications; travel vouchers; a long-term rehabilitation program; transitional housing; and food boxes.

 

Volunteer Opportunities:

Regular volunteers: Serve hot meal(s) monthly; volunteer as a chapel service leader; donate to and serve in the clothing room and/or food pantry; provide GED tutoring, housekeeping services, Bible study; help with children’s activities, maintenance, reception, mailings, teaching (parenting, budgeting, anger control, health) and evangelism.

Special Events/On Call volunteers: Holiday food baskets; painting rooms, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, etc.

At Home volunteers: birthday cake and cookie baking, sewing repairs

Contact: Pat Buchinski, 733-5120 www.thelighthousemission.org

 

Love, Inc

Purpose: A ministry to coordinate with churches to help the poor. Activities include family budget counseling; helping families move; doing housekeeping for elderly with short-term disabilities; and repairing vehicles for those who have no other means of getting to work.

Volunteer Opportunities: Be a budget counselor (training is provided); a child care provider for families in counseling; a fund raiser, phone volunteer, or board member.

Director/Contact: Kae Unrein, 671-6201

 

North Puget Sound Presbytery

The mission function of the presbytery is to help and assist its member congregations grow for the sake of Jesus Christ. The contributions of our church help support mission activity in our area including the Inn, Tall Timber Ranch, Neah Bay and Acme Churches, Synod Resource Center subscriptions for all presbytery congregations, Eagle Wings Ministries to the handicapped in Marysville, Skagit Hispanic Ministries, and others.

Address: 1010 East Casino Road; Everett, WA 98203-6537

Toll-free: (866) 355-0922

 

Tall Timber Ranch

Purpose: Offers Christ-centered camping programs in connection with local churches. In unique outdoor settings, Tall Timber demonstrates Christ’s presence in daily life, prepares participants for local and worldwide service, provides solid Biblical teaching, and builds relationships that cut across barriers. Most of all, the camp provides Christian role models through its camp staff, spiritual leaders, and counselors.

Volunteer Opportunities: Take up your tools for construction, maintenance and repair work parties, especially over the Memorial Day weekend. Spaces for tents and RV parking are available; ample food will be provided. The fee is a free will offering for accommodations and meals. Tasks include cutting brush, washing windows and mattresses, painting, cutting fire wood, etc.

Contact:  www.talltimber.org

 

University Christian Ministries – Geoff Mumley, Jonathan Lytle

UCM Purpose: To assist students in their desire to know and understand Jesus Christ and apply his teachings to their lives. Activities include a Friday night gathering for worship, instruction, and encouragement; small Bible study/support groups; and active service on campus. UCM strives to reach, mentor, and send students at Western Washington University and Whatcom Community College each year. They want to reach both Christian and non-Christian students, draw them into our community for training and mentoring, then as they graduate send them into the world to be missionaries in their chosen career fields.

 

Whatcom County Pregnancy Clinic

Purpose: An organization which provides support for women, teens, and families facing unplanned pregnancies. Their “Relate” program educates and equips teens towards a healthier lifestyle of waiting for sex until marriage forms a significant part of its ministry. WCPC offerings confidential pregnancy tests and limited diagnostic ultrasound screening for young women.

Volunteer Opportunities: You can serve as office assistant, newsletter support, pregnancy counselor and mentor (training required), curriculum organizer, support with solicitation and collection of donations, “Relate” speaker (training provided)

Contact: 671-9057 www.whatcomclinic.com

 

Young Life

Purpose: A non-denominational outreach ministry to high school and middle school students, introducing them to Jesus Christ and helping them to grow in their faith. The “lost sheep” (Luke 15: 1-7) among this age group are the focus of the ministry. Young Life provides healthy, creative fun in weekly clubs, seasonal camping experiences, and daily outings with leaders. The goal is to get the youth involved with a local church congregation, and ultimately to commit their lives to Christ.

Volunteer Opportunities: Host and invite guests to a table at the annual banquet; be a member of a life support team to provide snacks, clean-up, and resources; participate in area-wide Young Life events (BBQ, banquet etc.); be on the Young Life Committee to help plan events and daily operations; make pies for the annual BBQ; participate in an adult camp; assist in the office.

Web sites: www.younglife.org

World and National Missions

 

Hope of the Pokemchi

 Hope of the  Pokemchi is a non-profit organization dedicated to partnering with the indigenous Mayan Pokimchi people of Guatemala as they endeavor to reach their God-given potential.  Motivated by Christ’s love, we labor on roads and trails less traveled, coming along side them offering Biblical and health education and infrastructure projects.

  

Far East Broadcasting Company

FEBC broadcasts the gospel of Jesus Christ in 154 languages to reach areas where two-thirds of the world’s people live. FEBC’s mission is to develop radio programming and deliver it to listeners in Asia in such a way that they move toward Jesus Christ and into His Kingdom; that they know Him as Saviour, Lord, and King; follow His teaching; and live in obedience to Him as His servants and as members of a local body of believers.

Web site: www.febc.org

Address: PO Box 1, La Mirada, CA 90637-0001; toll free: (800) 523-3480.

 

Whitworth University

Affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Whitworth University in Spokane is a private, residential, liberal arts college. Whitworth has as its mission to provide its diverse student body an “education of the mind and heart,” equipping its graduates to honor God, follow Christ, and serve humanity. This mission is carried out by a community of Christian scholars committed to excellent teaching and the integration of faith and learning.

Web site: www.whitworth.edu

Address: 300 W. Hawthorne Road, Spokane, WA 99215

Birchwood Presbyterian Church offers several opportunities  to participate in both local and missions abroad in the world.  2012 will offer several choices.  The Mission Committee invites to to browse  the 2012  calender of events.  Please pray about what the Lord would have you do.

 

For more information or questions please e-mail Tom Linvog. 

 

Click here to see current Guatemala  trips.