Support Ministry into the Future

This fund provides essential grants to help congregations, specialized ministry, presbytery and national programs initiate and implement new dynamic programs focused on ministry with children and youth. Given the urgency of the need, gifts are fully disbursed within seven years after donations are made. Your gifts will help:

• children and youth grow as disciples of Christ
• equip families to nurture faith in their children and grandchildren
• provide funding for local, regional or national initiatives in children and youth ministry

In an era of declining church attendance and where more and more congregations are closing, it is more important than ever for the church to provide strategic support for new church development. The Growing Churches Fund helps presbyteries start new congregations and to support leaders – lay and clergy – called to this vital area of ministry. Your gifts will:

• Provide funds for presbyteries to determine the opportunities for new congregations and ministries in their area
• Encourage presbyteries to use a variety of models for starting new congregations and ministries
• Provide coaches and mentors to train and support for new church development workers
• Fund continuing education opportunities and an annual conference for new church development workers

The Healing and Reconciliation Fund helps congregations, ministries and presbyteries engage in programs that promote healing and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. This includes producing resources and facilitating workshops, visits, and learning initiatives that help local leaders, youth groups, congregations and communities to learn about the issues of concern to Indigenous people and walk with them in addressing these issues.

Gifts to the Indigenous Ministry Fund help Ministries with Indigenous peoples to foster healing and cultural restoration. Administered by the National Indigenous Ministry Council, it supports programs that:

• educate people about the history and impact of residential schools and colonialism,
• promote positive Indigenous identity,
• offer practical and spiritual support to Indigenous people.

Your gifts will help long-term mission staff accompany partner churches and agencies around the world as we share in God’s mission together. Mission staff walk alongside global mission partners in areas of Bible translation, refugee support, health care, church growth, social services and theological education. They also facilitate the sending of short-term volunteers and coordinating mission trips by PCC members. They are truly “living links” that bind our partnerships together. Your gifts will provide income year after year to support long-term mission staff in the field, today and into the future.

Wherever the PCC is engaged in mission in Canada and around the world, we participate in God’s mission by working with partner churches, ministries and agencies who understand the cultural context of their communities. Short-term mission experiences allow Canadian Presbyterians to encourage mission partners and deepen their faith journey. Hosting international guests to Canada helps our partners share their stories and learn from our experiences. Your gifts will build stronger mission partnerships by helping.

• facilitate exchanges between congregations and mission partners
• bringing international partners to Canada to share their mission experiences and experience ministry in Canada
• support mission partners hosting short-term mission groups and make mission trips accessible to all
• provide training, orientation, and knowledgeable people to facilitate short-term mission trips
• bring international youth to participate in PCC youth conferences and learning experiences

The Presbyterian Connection newspaper shares stories, reflections, interviews and articles to help grow disciples. It equips leaders and highlights congregation, mission and denominational ministry. Distributed free-of-charge, four time a year to congregations and directly to people’s homes, it connects Presbyterians across Canada and around the world. By supporting production and distribution costs, your gifts will help ensure the publication of this free resource today and into the future.

This fund helps Presbyterian ministries fulfill the decisions related to sexuality, orientation, gender identity made by the General Assembly. Your gifts will support staff and committees, developing resources and programs to help congregations implement the directions given by General Assembly, now and into the future.

This fund strengthens the church by strengthening ministers. Your gifts provide ways for ministers to nourish their spiritual lives, deep their understanding and ignite their pastoral imagination, while caring for the health and well-being of our pastors and their families. This fund will ministers learn, renew and grow by providing ministers with:

• opportunities for extensive or intensive study
• growth through colleague covenant groups
• support through access to confidential assessment, counselling and referral