Northeast Georgia Presbytery
God’s love reigns at the GAP day camp. Photo by Keil Alderson.
The goal of the Greater Augusta Presbyterian (GAP) Ministries, begun in 1979, is to provide member churches with a vehicle for meaningful service. A special focus of GAP’s work is on equipping and mobilizing member churches for ministry. Today GAP brings together hundreds of Christians from Presbyterian and other denominations to serve both homeless and impoverished peoples.
Statistics tell part of the story: lunch for over 250 people at the soup kitchen; more than 280 people per month receiving groceries from the food pantry; GAP summer camp; snacks for youth in the juvenile court after-school program; biweekly Bible study and prayer followed by sessions about accessing medical services; emergency funding for some medication and personal hygiene needs; and liaison with mental health/substance abuse recovery resources. Through these initiatives and the GAP transitional home, three families have gone from homelessness to home ownership.
The GAP Ministry Board coordinates the work of GAP volunteers with new energy to embody their mission: “Christians confronting emptiness, choosing compassion, creating community.” In 2007 new back-to-school and Advent events reached out to maintain relationships with GAP camp kids. The tutoring of school-aged children offers the hope of promoting literacy for all ages. Other volunteers organize monthly workdays for home repair and yard work for the elderly and disabled.
Northeast Georgia Presbytery’s 58 churches have 8,994 members.
Presbytery Staff
The Rev. Kenyon G. Meeks, Jr., general presbyter/treasurer
Elder Edith C. Covert, associate presbyter
The Rev. Joseph W. Berry, Jr., stated clerk
The Rev. Ford F. G’Segner, congregational development/global missions resource person
Katherine N. Gunter, office manager/bookkeeper
Linda C. Turner, administrative assistant
Anita C. Green, resource center/youth ministry assistant
The Rev. Jose Torres Perez, Hispanic ministry interim
Terry Salguero, multicultural social services worker
The Rev. Andrew Cooke, campus minister, University of Georgia
The Rev. Jeffry L. Reynolds, co-chaplain and director of church partnerships, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Jerri Smith, GAMC
Margy Smith, OGA
Melody Smith, GAMC
Lord of all creation, thank you for the opportunities afforded to GAP ministries to follow the words of Micah. May we remain committed to doing the work you have called us to do.In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Ps. 97, 147:12–20 Ps. 16, 62
Ezra 7:(1–10) 11–26 or Zech. 1:7–17
Rev. 14:1–13; Matt. 14:1–12
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