Missions

Chiapas, Mexico

First Presbyterian has annually sent an inter-generational summer mission team to the state of Chiapas in México since 2007. There we have worked through Hebron USA with the Tzeltal-speaking indigenous people of the Tzeltal Synod of the National Presbyterian Church of México on a variety of construction projects including the multi-year construction of the new sanctuary in Ch’ixtontic and the construction of Dispensario Tzeltal Manos de Cristo, the medical clinic in Ocosingo, which opened in 2012. We have developed strong relationships with the Presbyterian churches and people with whom we have lived and worked, one of the principal goals of cross-cultural mission trips. In addition, we have participated in four primary care medical mission trips to Manos de Cristo where American health care providers have worked alongside the resident Tzeltal physician treating indigenous people from the surrounding areas. During the last three medical mission trips we partnered with physicians and students from Eastern Virginia Medical School (“EVMS”). In 2018 we also conducted a fundraising campaign that raised over $62,500 for capital needs at Manos de Cristo.

Members and friends who have participated in these trips through the years have experienced the strong Christian faith of indigenous peoples and thereby strengthened their own faith. It is in the Developing World where Christianity currently experiences its greatest growth. The trips have helped spiritually equip church members and friends for service in Virginia Beach and elsewhere closer to home. These trips are a tangible expression of following Jesus’ great commandment to love one’s neighbor as they love themselves.

Randy DuVall, Director of Missions, December 2019

Cuba

In October, 2018, First Presbyterian sponsored its first mission trip to Cuba through the Cuba Partners Network (“CPN”) of Presbyterian World Missions. We returned in 2019. Members have lived at the Presbyterian Church in San Nicolás, Cuba, a small town located east of La Habana. The groups also had the opportunity to visit the seminary in Matanzas and to visit the city of La Habana. The primary focus of these trips has been relationship building with the faithful Christians of that church whose faith has remained strong despite many years of adversity for the Christian churches in Cuba. We have eaten with, worshiped with and recreated with the members of that congregation, including the youth. We have conducted Vacation Bible School and spent countless hours in one-on-one conversations with church members.

The Presbyterian Church (USA) has been involved in the life of the Cuban Presbyterian churches since the early 1900s. Under the auspices of CPN, our church is now in a Covenant of Christian Solidarity with the church in San Nicolás, an effort to deepen the spiritual life of both congregations. It is important to understand that this relationship is between Christian people in Cuba and in the United States. Relations between our respective governments remain strained as they have been for many years.

Randy DuVall, Director of Missions, December 2019

Service Opportunities