International Volunteer Opportunities

Nicaragua Mission Trip

GBPC is planning a Mission Trip to Nicaragua, August 3-10, 2024.

We have visited the same youth camp (Vida Joven) since 2004 and have made many Nicaraguan friends over the years.

Last summer we sent a small team to Nicaragua (our first since COVID) and it could not have gone better. We are looking to take a team of 15-20 this year, possibly joining with other churches in the area.

If you are interested in going or finding out more about the trip, please contact Jeff Horton at jrhorton@ditchwitchva.com.

We plan to have an informational meeting soon.

Sunday School Offering

The Children’s Ministry Team has a goal for the Children’s Sunday School classes to begin an offering from the children each week. The money collected will go toward adopting a child through Compassion International. We feel helping others is an important value we want to instill in the children of GBPC. Please encourage your children to participate and support our sponsored child.

Join River Oak Church on Finding Hope Mission Trip

The trip is October 8-14, 2023 and the cost is $1042.69.

See Linda Marchesano or contact River Oak’s Director of Missions & Outreach, Summer Michaelson, at 757.382.9500 for more information.

Finding Hope was founded by former GBPC youth Katlyn McConnell.

“Instruments of Peace” Singing Mission Trip to Switzerland June 2024

Join the Music Ministry and Guest Musicians on their 4th international Singing Mission Trip. Members of our music ministry and guests will be continuing their Presbyterian Heritage Tour in June 2024 traveling to Switzerland, June 25—July 4. This incredible tour will include Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Lausanne and Geneva, Switzerland. An exciting addition to the tour for those interested will be an added 2 day tour to worship at the Taizé community in Cluny, France, returning on July 6. The musicians will perform in Zurich, Interlaken and Geneva with an outreach visit to a Senior Center in Lausanne. Pastor Lou will be offering devotions along the way. We are excited to continue sharing our faith internationally and would like to invite musicians as well as supportive travelers to join us! Please contact Billye for more detailed information. Register by March 30 for a discount!

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Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA)  —  Solidarity grants to meet immediate needs are being processed and partners are distributing winterization items (blankets, mattresses), food items and medicines.

To give by phone, call 800-872-3283. To send a check, please designate where you want your gift to go on the memo line (Disaster Relief–International Disasters & Emergencies (DR999999) OR Turkiye/Syria Earthquake) and mail to:

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700

 

Vida Joven (La Finca Matagalpa Nicaragua)   In 2002, our church created a relationship with missionaries Jim and Sarah Hornsby and the work they were doing for Young Life Nicaragua (Vida Joven).  Each year since then, we have sent work teams to the Young Life Camp to help with construction of improvements to the camp, host Vacation Bible Schools for neighborhood children, do projects in and for local communities, and participate in Young Life club meetings.  We work and worship alongside Vida Joven leaders, and have built relationships with many of them that continue throughout the year.  This is a ministry that is near and dear to the hearts of those who have traveled.  This is a truly life changing experience for both the Nicas and members of our team.  We have had many people come back with a new vision for their lives.  The team travels every August for one week to the Vida Joven Camp.

Vida Joven (Rivas, Nicaragua)  This started as a vision from one of the leaders who traveled yearly to Camp.  He and a few Nica leaders decided to take the Gospel to the city of Rivas where many children have never heard of Jesus.  They walked the streets, visited neighborhoods and school speaking to the local youth; inviting them to play soccer and just “hang out” while they played games, sang songs and learned about Christ.  In 2011, they set out with colleagues from La Finca Nicaragua Camp to the shores of Rivas to seek out needs and opportunities to begin Young Life clubs.  In 6 years, they now have 3 weekly Young Life Groups that meet in different locations attended by over 40 teens and 4-5 leaders learning about love of Jesus Christ. By 2018, 3 clubs have been thriving in Rivas attended by over 40 students each week at each club.  Team members travel to Rivas Nicaragua each spring to help provide support to leaders of the VJ ministry in the town of Rivas.