First Presbyterian Church of Hastings, Michigan

What's Happening at First Presbyterian Church

First Presbyterian Church reorganized early in 2006 into five major ministry areas. Each ministry unit is moderated by an Elder and assisted by staff charged with strengthening the church's overall ministry and mission through the activities with their unit. Jeff Garrison is pastor of the church.

If you click on any of the blue underlined type it will take you to more information about that item.

Adult Ministries

Our church has sponsored mission trips to Latin America for over 15 years. Ever since 1998, when Hurricane Mitch devastated Honduras, we have been working in that country and a significant number of our adult members have participated in at least one of these trips. Adult Ministries include these mission trips as well as adult Christian Education, Bible Studies, fellowship concern groups, and men's and women's programs. MaryMartha Melendy is our Director of Adult Ministries. Dr. Jim Spindler, who organizes the mission trips, also assists with Mission and Outreach, assisting the Pastor and Deacons with shut-in visitation. Dr. Spindler is also currently preparing a missionary team to go to Mexico in late February 2009. They will be doing construction and provide medical and dental teams. For more information on either trip, call the Adult Ministries Office.

For information on past Honduras Mission Trips click here.Honduras Mission

NOAH'S ARK PRESCHOOL

Kids coming in and out of the church really brighten things during the school year. Noah's Ark Preschool, a ministry of First Presbyterian Church, prides itself as the best children's experience in Barry County We offer a two-day-a-week preschool for three year olds and a three-day-a- week program for four year olds. Last year 95 students, with approximately 1/3 not having a church home, attended preschool. Elizabeth Witt is the Director.

Youth and Young Adult Ministries

For over 30 years our congregation has sponsred an annual youth mission trip. For most of that time, they have built homes in the Upper Peninsula. This becomes a year around focus as our youth raise money for building materials and for the trip. This ministry oversees programs, ministries and fellowship opportunities for middle high, senior high and college youth, including the mission trip. Amy Kalkman is our Director of Youth Ministries.

Worship and Music Ministries

What do you do when there's not enough room in the sancturary with two services for the people you expect on Easter Sunday? Combine the services and move to the historic and recently restored auditorium at Central School. Easter Sunday was powerful as brought together our contemporary praise team, our chancel choir, and a brass ensemble. Worship and Music Ministries oversees all our worship programs. Our early Sunday service is traditional in form and accompanied by a choir during the school year. The second service is in a contemporary format led by a praise team.

CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES

Each summer we have Vacation Bible School. Last summer, summer of 2008, we had 250 children registered for this thrilling and overwhelming event. Our Children's Ministry unit also oversees our Sunday School program, our nursery, and other activities for children and families of small children. We have an annual Christmas Program each December that the children work hard to prepare. It usually contains both music and skits and tells the Christmas Story. Tracy Solmes serves part-time as Director of Children's Ministries.