Mission

Local and Worldwide

Peace on earth and goodwill toward all

Located in suburban Cincinnati Ohio, the Blue Ash Presbyterian Church embraces and leads or contributes to a variety of mission programs in the world. Globally, we seek to impact positively the lives of those in great need by using established personal relationships with individuals on the ground. In the local community, we aim to comfort the afflicted, clothe the naked, and most of all feed the hungry.

Local Community Outreach and Service

N.E.E.D.S.–The Northeast Emergency Distribution Services is a cooperative effort of churches and other community organizations in northeastern greater Cincinnati that answers Christ’s call to love our neighbor by providing emergency food and financial assistance to those in need. Each month, BAPC collects donations of a needed staple for donation to the food pantry. BAPC corporately and church members individually provide financial support to the coalition. For more information contact Mary Sue Dickman or any member of the Mission Committee.

Hospice of Cincinnati - Since 1977, Hospice of Cincinnati has provided our community with compassionate, comfort-oriented and personalized end-of-life care to all who need it, regardless of ability to pay. Each year, over 5,000 families rely on HOC, which provides care in a variety of settings and offers myriad non-reimbursable services such as healing touch, music, art and pet therapy and bereavement support. The sewing group at Blue Ash Presbyterian Church makes and donates pressure pillows to the HOC Blue Ash location.

Healthcare for the Homeless–The congregation provides ongoing donations of warm socks and cough drops for this outreach program serving needy residents of downtown and Over-the-Rhine. Dr. Nancy Elder of BAPC works in the urban clinics and leads this effort.

Mitten Trees and Helping Hands Tree – Each December, the congregation of BAPC decks two Christmas trees with gifts of hats, gloves, mittens, scarfs, and socks. Apparel from these Mitten Trees are donated to N.E.E.D.S., to the Hazelwood community, and to urban churches where needs for winter clothing are great. At the same time, the Helping Hands Tree allows each congregant to donate to the project of her or his choice by attaching the donation to a paper hand, selecting the receiving organization, and hanging the hand upon the tree.

Samaritan's Purse (Operation Christmas Child) - Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God’s love. BAPC fills and donates around one hundred shoe boxes every November. People of all ages can be involved in this simple, hands-on missions project while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas—Jesus Christ.

Soles 4 Souls/Barefoot Sunday – Annually BAPC participates in Barefoot Sunday during a worship service in the Spring. All who are able may take the shoes off their feet and leave them at the altar; alternatively, one may bring an extra pair to donate. Children’s shoes are especially needed. The non-profit Soles4Souls facilitates the donations of shoes by BAPC, other houses of worship, and businesses; the shoes aid the hurting worldwide.

Matthew 25 Ministries – Headquartered right in Blue Ash, OH, Matthew 25 Ministries is an international humanitarian relief organization whose mission is “to fulfill Matthew 25:34-40 by providing nutritional food to the hungry, clean water to the thirsty, clothing to the naked, shelter to the homeless, medical care to the ill, and humanitarian supplies to prisoners.” BAPC members go to M25M's Blue Ash warehouse and pack boxes to be shipped across the globe.

Bethany House - Bethany House collaborates with others to provide a full range of housing, education, and assistance programs to homeless and disadvantaged women and children. Members of the BAPC congregation assist with Children's Carnival.

For more information on any of these local programs, contact Pastor Mike or any member of the Mission Committee of BAPC.

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International Outreach Programs

Albert Schweitzer Hospital Haiti – The Hôpital Albert Schweitzer provides medical care and community health and development programs for more than 300,000 impoverished people in the Antibonite Valley of Haiti. A member of the BAPC family, Ms. Dawn Johnson, serves on the permanent staff as Technical Coordinator, Integrated Community Services—specializing in community water programs. BAPC supports HAS financially through special offerings and hosts visits by Dawn frequently. This mission received higher support and interest following the 2010 earthquake and subsequent cholera epidemic that hit the Antibonite Valley. Learn how you can help by visiting the HAS Haiti website or sending e-mail to Dawn Johnson directly.

Uraa School Project–Beginning in 2009, BAPC partners with the rural community of Shari village in Machame, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. In 2010, BAPC raised over $11,000 to rebuild the teachers’ quarters in Uraa Primary School. School leaders identified this as the greatest need, because the half-century-old building was so dilapidated that the school could not attract and retain qualified faculty. This partnership stresses connections built between the partners in Cincinnati and in Shari—aided by the fact that one family in BAPC has close relatives in that Tanzanian village. After rebuilding the staff housing, BAPC changed gears in 2011 to begin supporting scholarships for bright children of little means to attend secondary school. Many are orphans unable to afford the approximately US$100/year needed for fees and supplies.

Click here to view a 6-minute-long video about the Uraa Primary School Project. (This link will take you to the YouTube^TM application.)

Frances Newton Hospital–BAPC continues to support the Frances Newton Hospital in Firozpur, Punjab, India. Begun in 1894, the 300-bed general hospital is still the only well-equipped civilian hospital in an area with a population of 3,000,000 people. Dr. Dorothy Lee Ferris, a former member of BAPC, served for 35 years (1936-1971) as a medical missionary to the center. When she arrived in 1936 there were 50 beds and 20 nurses. By 1971 with her help, the hospital had expanded to include 300 beds, 17 doctors and 160 students in the well-established School of Nursing.

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Mission Programs of Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.

BAPC actively embraces and extends several annual outreach programs of the General Assembly Mission Council of the Presbyterian Church. We receive special offerings annually including One Great Hour of Sharing, Peacemaking Offering on World Communion Sunday, and the Christmas Joy Offering.