Our Mission Partners
Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church is dedicated to serving our local community
and actively pursuing the Matthew 25 Initiative.
Check out our mission partners below to learn more about service in Rock Hill.
Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen
Oakland prepares and serves meals on the 3rd and 5th Saturdays of each month. The soup kitchen is located in Brannon Hall, the activity center of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 902 Crawford Road. Because of State of SC regulations, volunteers must be 16 or older. To volunteer to serve on those dates, please call Hannalie Ferguson at 803 984 2439.
Hope of Rock Hill
The OAPC Congregation is encouraged to walk across the street to learn more about the ways your gifts and time serve throughout the Rock Hill community, by partnering with HOPE of Rock Hill. Come see how HOPE has been able to efficiently expand this ministry by utilizing their much larger space provided through our former Activities Center. Celebrate with us in sharing hope with Rock Hill!
Pilgrims' Inn
Pilgrims Inn is a not-for-profit organization serving Rock Hill and surrounding communities of York County, SC. Individuals and families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or are having trouble providing for their basic needs are helped. Our mission is to serve families and individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. We strive to provide a combination of immediate emergency aid with ongoing guidance and support to enable clients to achieve better stability and independence, and avoid future crises. We particularly seek to protect children from the ravages of chronic poverty.
Bethel Shelters
In 2021, Bethel Men’s Shelter expanded its mission and began operations at the Bethel Day Shelter, a daytime shelter for men and women located at Pathways Community Center in Rock Hill. The Day Shelter operates 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day, and provides laundry services, showers and restroom facilities, lockers, respite, and partners with other agencies to connect clients to needed services.
Family Promise of York County
Their Mission: To provide a comprehensive and compassionate program of meals, shelter and case management services to homeless families through a community network of congregations and staff that foster long-term self sufficiency, independence and success for families. Their Vision: That families leave the program better equipped to meet life's challenges.
Their Goal: That families resume and maintain self- sufficiency and independence in permanent housing.
STAR
On Thursdays, the program serves 24 first through fifth grade students. Students walk with adult volunteers from Ebenezer Ave. to the church. At the OAPC, all the children are fed a snack. After snack, the older children are released to the Student Center with their tutors to begin the individualize study session. The younger children hear a story or do a musical activity and then they too are released with their tutor to begin working at individual locations within the church proper. At 4:00 a bell rings, all materials are gathered, and the children assemble to board the two church vans that will take them directly to their homes.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
A drop-in center (The Hut) is located on OAPC property for those who have a mental health diagnosis or are concerned about their mental wellness, as well as families, friends, and loved ones of those living with a mental health diagnosis. We focus on community, mental health, education, and opportunities for our community to socialize. Volunteers are needed every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to be at The Hut.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE
Bethelwoods
Bethelwoods Camp and Conference Center was founded in 1965 in affiliation with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Built on a foundation of love and faith, Bethelwoods is nestled on 157 wooded acres in York, SC, just minutes southwest of Charlotte, NC. Bethelwoods welcomes all visitors year-round: from adults attending a business conference, to youth groups on a weekend retreat, to Scouts on their first tent camping experience. All groups that visit receive the highest level of Christian hospitality and openness to share God's love.
Matthew 25
OAPC made a commitment to radical and fearless discipleship by focusing our work in these three key areas:
- Building congregational vitality
- Dismantling structural racism
- Eradicating systemic poverty
You make the difference!
The mission partners of OAPC are requesting your help! The lists below are current items being asked for. If you can help, please bring your items to the appropriate bin in the Welcome Center. Thank you!
HOPE :
peanut butter
jelly
Pilgrims' Inn :
canned goods
(meat, veggies, fruits)
rice (white and brown)
pasta
pasta sauces
beans (dry and canned)
soups
snack foods
HOP : Hunger Outreach Program
baked goods (1st Sunday of each month, September through May)
Acorn Quilters :
travel size shampoo
travel size conditioner
sunscreen
chap stick
baby wipes
hand warmers
combs
personal hygiene products (women)
bandaids