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Mission Presbytery
Texas
 House of Hope is a medical/dental clinic.
Like the Bible, Mission Presbytery has stories about the genesis of enduring ministries that sprang up when individuals nurtured in faith by congregations and pastors saw injustice, asked questions, and were moved by the Spirit to try to help. This story began with a vision of Dr. Carlos Campos and the members of First Presbyterian Church (FPC) in New Braunfels.
A historically Hispanic congregation, FPC decided it would stay in its economically depressed neighborhood. It bought property next door and built the Westside Community Center, which offers English as a second language and GED classes, diabetes education, legal assistance, and physical fitness.
One church member wondered why the area food bank required identification and asked, “Do you have to have a green card to be hungry?” In response, FPC set up a no-questions-asked soup kitchen and food bank.
As the ministries grew, FPC members realized that walking humbly with God meant giving up their ownership, so the work of the community center became ecumenical, administered by TIPHER, a nonprofit agency and its board. In 2008, FPC and TIPHER partnered with others to build the House of Hope, a medical/dental clinic staffed by volunteers.
Mission Presbytery serves congregations and their leaders and witnesses to the good news of Christ through evangelistic and social justice outreach. In all, 152 congregations serve 31,391 members. Presbyterian Pan American School, Trinity University, Schreiner University, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and Mo Ranch Retreat Center are in its bounds.
Elder Esperanza Guajardo, member, GAMC
Presbytery Staff
Rev. Dr. Donald G. Campbell, interim executive presbyter
Elder Susan Penrod, associate presbyter for Christian education
Rev. Dr. Miles H. White, stated clerk
Elder Ruben P. Armendariz, consultant for church development
Pam DuBois, accountant
Elder Martha G. Flores, administrative assistant to executive presbyter
Deacon Lynne Powell, administrative assistant for church development, Christian education, and stated clerk
Melani Cobb, office assistant
Lita Simpson, youth ministry director
Faith Collier, outdoor ministries director
Charlotte Hains, volunteer in mission for lay leadership institute
Gayle Sharpley, Web site manager
Resource Center directors: Madelyn Mitchell, Austin; Sandy Pinaire, Corpus Christi; Gayle Sharpley, San Antonio; and Lita Simpson, Valley
Mission Volunteers in the U.S.A.
Young Adult Volunteers, YAV/DWELL,
San Antonio, Texas: Melinda Higgins and Christie Valentine
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Linda Wright, GAMC
Patricia Wright, GAMC
Cindy Yates, FDN
O God, for the gift you give to each congregation when you lead one to question what just doesn’t seem right, we thank you. For those who preached and taught and discipled the ones who question, we praise you. We humbly petition you for the courage, strength, and flexibility of Christ as we seek to follow in his footsteps. Amen.
Ps. 18:1–20, 147:12–20 Ps. 132, 114
Isa. 60:1–6
Gal. 3:23–4:7; Matt. 1:18–25
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