SERVE
Community Outreach
At Great Bridge Presbyterian Church, outreach isn’t just something we do—it’s part of who we are.
We believe in showing Christ’s love through practical acts of service, both close to home and around the world. Whether it’s preparing meals, offering support during times of crisis, or building long-term partnerships that address systemic needs, GBPC is committed to caring for our neighbors with compassion and integrity. Below, you'll find a wide range of opportunities where our congregation is actively involved in meeting needs and building relationships that make a difference.
Food Assistance
GBPC organizes, supports, and participates in a number of its own opportunities to combat food insecurity, as well as those of numerous community outreach programs.
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AIDS Meals – GBPC meets once a month to prepare meals for those living with HIV/AIDS.
GBPC Garden Ministry – Volunteers maintain GBPC’s vegetable garden that produces food for those who are food insecure in our neighborhood and wider community.
GBPC Food Pantry Ministry – The church collects non-perishable food items and donations the first Sunday of the month to provide for those who are food insecure in our neighborhood and wider community.
Thanksgiving Food Bags – At Thanksgiving, the church collects turkeys and all the items for Thanksgiving meals, fills bags with it all, and distributes them to local, Chesapeake public schools for the children and their families in need.
Various Food Drives – Throughout the year, GBPC holds food drives, Food For All and Operation Tons of Love, to collect for the Southeastern Food Bank in Norfolk to help combat food insecurity in our region. The church has collected since 2008 and has amassed over 60,000 pounds of food. The entire congregation participates in these efforts.
Hunger Assistance – GBPC Service and Mission Committee reaches out to those within the church who need help with meals and provisions at times by supplying gift cards and donations.
Service Organizations
GBPC is a partner in the community, networking with and offering support, with organizations that provide assistance in a variety of vital areas.
AARP Tax Aide – Church members volunteer each Spring at GBPC to assist with free tax preparation service for individuals in the community. This is a 3-month service effort.
American Red Cross – GBPC hosts two Blood Drives annually, one in March and the other in September. Volunteers assist on the day of each drive with set up, registration, greeting, and supporting participants as needed.
ABBAList – A resource website that provides information on many different organizations and resources in the Hampton Roads region that focuses on free services available for those in need. GBPC provides support for ABBAList.
Chesapeake Care Clinic – GBPC supports the clinic, as it provides quality medical and dental care to low-income and underinsured residents of Hampton Roads.
C.A.S.T. (Chesapeake Area Shelter Team) – Provides overnight shelter to the homeless of Chesapeake during the winter. One week each year, GBPC opens its door to guests to provide shelter, meals, and other services like haircuts, blood sugar screenings, eye exams, and prayer.
FaithWorks Coalition – GBPC supports this community coalition as it sends work teams to eliminate unsafe and unhealthy living conditions for elderly, disabled, and low-income homeowners in our city and in nearby Virginia Beach.
ForKids, Inc. – For Kids provides housing and assistance to homeless families by placing them in shelters or transitional living apartments and works to end the cycle of homelessness in families.
P.I.N. (Parents In Need) – GBPC collects clothing, diapers, baby gear, and other necessities for young families with infants and children up to age 6, who are in need of essentials.
PW Sock and Mitten Tree – Presbyterian Women of GBPC sponsors a sock and mitten tree during the Christmas season to collect socks and mittens for those in need. The whole church is invited to participate in this mission effort.
Responding to People in Need
Disaster Relief – GBPC supports those in need when natural disasters occur, as well as other types of emergencies. Additionally, the church often partners with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) around the country, offering support by gathering and sending supplies as needed, donating money, and sending travel mission teams for hands-on help.
GBPC Helping Hands – Church members assist congregants and friends of GBPC who need help with work or repairs completed at their home but are unable to do the work themselves or to afford to have it done fully. If you have such a need or would like to be one of those who help, please contact the church office at 757-547-4706 or via email.
Adopt-a-Senior – As part of our ongoing community support efforts, the church works with partners to identify senior adults at Cambridge Square Apartments with limited local connections and provide support for these individuals at special times of the year.
Community Care & Nurture
GBPC GriefShare – GBPC hosts this support group that provides a safe, welcoming place for any adult who has experienced a loss. The group meets once a week for 13 weeks, with one session beginning in September and the other in February. They also hold a special session “Surviving the Holidays” and an annual Service of Remembrance in December. Anyone within the church or from the wider community is welcome to attend.
GBPC DivorceCare – GBPC hosts this support group that welcomes people and guides them on the path of recovery after separation or divorce. The group meets once a week for 13 weeks, with one session beginning in September and the other in February. Anyone within the church or from the wider community is welcome to attend.
Tidewater Pastoral Counseling (TPC) – GBPC donates funding to TPC, which offers counseling services at a sliding scale fee to those who cannot afford to pay or do not have insurance. GBPC is one of the host sites for their counseling services, and has counselors on site at GBPC two days per week. For more information, please see their website.
Young Life
Jingle Jog 5K – This 5k race is held on the second Saturday in December annually. Church volunteers of all ages help on the day of the race with registration, set-up and clean-up before and after the race, and by serving as course directors. Funds are raised through participant registration, sponsors and donations. Following the race, together, participants and volunteers enjoy breakfast prepared by the church at GBPC in the fellowship hall.
Young Life of Chesapeake – Young Life is a non-denominational, Christian, non-profit organization that is committed to introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith. Young Life of Chesapeake was started by two devoted men on the steps of GBPC in 1997, and is now active in all of the area's middle and high schools. GBPC contributes to Young Life of Chesapeake annually.
Vida Joven Nicaragua Mission – In 2002, GBPC created a relationship with missionaries Jim and Sarah Hornsby and the work they were doing for Young Life Nicaragua (Vida Joven). In the years since then, work teams to the Young Life Camp have helped with improvements to the camp, Vacation Bible School, projects with local communities, and have participated in Young Life club meetings. This ministry is near and dear to the hearts of those who have traveled. The trips usually occur in August for one week to the Vida Joven Camp.
