What is Mission Gifts?
Mission Gifts for Christmas enables you to give meaningful gifts instead of giving another “thing,” by supporting God’s work locally and internationally. Each donation you make gives to organizations serving those in need in honor of a friend, family member, teacher, or coworker. It is a wonderful way for the church to reflect the gift of grace that we have received in Christ Jesus by providing our congregation and friends with a way to bless others at Christmastime.
Each year, we begin the process by selecting the organizations that will be supported with your gifts. The culmination is a Mission Gifts catalog and festive fellowship event in December! You'll get the opportunity to learn all about the organizations and make your selections in time for Christmas.
Mission Gifts Selections Open Soon!
Select gifts online here December 1-31
You may select missionaries/organizations online here until December 31. Read about the mission organizations in the catalog below, and then use the Mission Gifts Order Form to donate to the ones you choose. You can click here for a downloadable card to send to a friend, family member, teacher, or coworker if you donate in their honor.
We will be celebrating God's goodness and providing lots of great information in Stone Fellowship Hall Sunday mornings on December 8 and 15. You may select and give in person during these events or online here December 1-31.
Mission Gifts Catalog
Our full 2024 Mission Gifts catalog is now available! You may also read about each organization below.
Loving Our Neighbors
Serve Ministries selects a fourth theme for Mission Gifts each year. This year's theme is Loving Our Neighbors, and our featured organization is Solutions in Hometown Connections (SHC) in Riverdale, Maryland. SHC helped us resettle our refugee families from Syria and Afghanistan and partnered with us for the past two Summers of Serving.
Solutions in Hometown Connections provides programs and solutions tailored for refugee and immigrant families and bridges them to crucial services and programs within their local communities. To meet the needs of immigrant and refugee mothers and their young children, SHC offers a family-friendly program. When mothers, bereft of the traditional familial and cultural support systems they left behind, arrive in a new community, they can feel alone and overwhelmed, often in communities that are not walkable and without convenient public transportation. Learning English is one of their most intimidating challenges. Removing barriers such as transportation and childcare, the SHC bus is a mobile classroom offering multigenerational classes designed for mothers and preschool children together. This year at Mission Gifts for Christmas, you can give the gift of language and literacy to a refugee mom and her preschool children. $100 covers the curriculum and supplies for three learners, but any amount will help support literacy. shconnections.org
Building Up the Global Church
Bethlehem Bible College (BBC) in Palestine prepares future Palestinian church leaders through accredited degree programs in Biblical and Christian Education, Leadership, and Ministry. BBC has an online Biblical Studies Program for Arabic speakers worldwide; trains students in Mass Media, Tour Guiding, English, and Hebrew; and ministers to people in need in the community. BBC also works alongside other Christian organizations to strengthen and revitalize the Christian community and serves as a respected bridge with the Muslim majority. Their impact is spreading to the broader Arab world through technology.
European Christian Mission International (ECMI) works across Europe to equip and encourage churches in ministry to youth and families and evangelistic outreach to their communities. It cares for Middle Eastern and Ukrainian refugees who have fled to Europe and plants churches among all the people of Europe. Projects include Christian camp scholarships, Sunday school teacher training, teen mentoring, outreach to Roma, and support for Christian families who adopt orphans. This year, all donations will go to their offices in Ukraine.
Evangelical Theological Seminary (ETS) of Croatia is a flagship evangelical school for Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. It focuses on reconciliation, evangelism, and humanitarian relief ministries in the Balkans, a region troubled by sectarian strife. Projects include providing student scholarships, improving the school's distance-learning program, and offering guidance and mentorships to regional pastors.
Indonesian Leadership Foundation (ILF) in Indonesia focuses on developing future Indonesian leaders through education and professional development. ILF provides scholarships for underprivileged students pursuing a bachelor's degree. There are currently 13 active scholars and 13 graduated students. The ILF has selected three new scholars from among 650 applicants for 2023/2024.
Investing Hope Foundation (IHF) in Colombia, SA, shows children, youth, and families a pathway out of poverty through relevant economic tools, biblically-based financial training, and God's love. Their unique Entrepreneurship and Savings Clubs use a fun, experiential training model to help kids start a business, sell products, save, and invest their profits. IHF works with existing ministries, churches, and schools to teach financial literacy and give kids hope and a future.
Moldova Mission Network (MMN) in Moldova promotes Christian discipleship in four focus areas: higher education, family ministry (The Marriage Course), foster children care, and evangelism. The family ministry supports Moldovan workers who share the Good News of Jesus with Christian and secular couples as they work to improve their marriages. The Mission Network also helps loving members of local churches bring warm clothes, school materials, and food staples to boys and girls in orphanages.
Peer Servants is a diverse global community of hundreds of volunteers who want to see more people experiencing the kingdom of heaven on earth. Peer Servants partners with indigenous, autonomous organizations in Africa, Eurasia, and the Americas to help advance their communities. Together with these global partners, Peer Servants empowers the materially poor by helping start or grow small businesses, educating children, engaging young people in kingdom ministry, extending affordable healthcare, addressing food/water security, and much more.
ProVision International (PVI) serves mission agencies and leaders in Southern Africa who are committed to the material and spiritual uplifting of disadvantaged communities. PVI supports ministry leaders in these communities through mentoring, money, and management. PVI has completed over 70 community projects and supports around 12 current projects. Founders of PVI, Ted and Joy Carr, are long-time missionary partners of NPC.
Resources for Leaders in China
Churches in China persevere and even flourish under opposition. Since pastors are in short supply, the backbone of the Protestant Church is its lay leaders. They need recurrent training and reliable resources to lead the millions of new believers into a mature Christian faith. Graduates from 42 seminaries and Bible schools around China receive study Bibles and mini-libraries to equip them for effective ministry.
theoutreachfoundation.org/resources-for-lay-leaders-in-china
University Divitia Gratiae (UDG) in Moldova offers undergraduate and graduate degrees to students from Moldova, Ukraine, Russia, and Central Asia. UDG prepares them to serve as pastors, evangelists, Sunday school leaders, and social workers. The university also provides leadership development seminars for pastors and other leaders, especially those serving in Muslim communities.
Youth for Christ International-Croatia is a ministry devoted to sharing the love of Christ with the next generation. Rooted in the Gospel, YFC aims to inspire and equip young people to grow in their faith and embrace their identity as beloved children of God. Through engaging programs, discipleship initiatives, and community outreach, YFC encourages youth to live out their faith in tangible ways, fostering a deep sense of purpose and connection to God's mission. By creating safe spaces for worship, discussion, and service, YFC seeks to empower young believers to shine their light in their communities and become transformative leaders for Christ.
Caring for the Vulnerable
Angela Bednarczyk serves in Senegal at Ecole Baptiste Dund-Gi des Sourds and a village class for deaf children in Ngueniene, which provides an effective program for ages 3 to 20. The addition of deaf teachers has given deaf students new language models for improving their learning and communication skills. Angela works with both programs to provide acutely needed textbooks, age-appropriate hands-on materials, equipment, and teacher workshops. iom-online.com/senegal-angela-bednarczyk/
ByGrace Children's Home and School near Nairobi, Kenya, provides a loving home and education for orphaned and abandoned children while addressing the physical and spiritual needs of the community. Now serving over 100 students, ByGrace offers primary and secondary education with high pass rates needed to attend university. ByGrace graduates have earned college-level degrees and contribute their professional and spiritual gifts to the ByGrace community. ByGrace also partners with Living Word Church to make Christ known in the slums of Nairobi.
Children's Law Center (CLC) in Washington, DC, works on behalf of children to advocate for matters affecting their well-being. CLC provides comprehensive legal services to vulnerable children and families, focusing on custody, education, and healthcare issues. The organization aims to empower young people and help them navigate complex systems by representing them in legal proceedings and advocating for their rights. In addition to direct legal assistance, CLC engages in community outreach, education, and policy advocacy to promote systemic change. All children deserve the opportunity to thrive in safe, supportive environments.
Creating Friendships for Peace is a volunteer grassroots organization that promotes and strengthens friendships between teens from divided communities and extends these bonds to their families and friends. During transformative homestays, American families host two teens, one from each side of a conflict. The teens share a room and engage in interactions that foster understanding of each other's perspectives. These immersive experiences help teens learn that genuine friendships can flourish despite significant political and cultural differences and nurture mutual respect and understanding, key ingredients for lasting peace. Beginning in 1981 in Northern Ireland, current efforts are now centered in the Middle East in Cyprus and Israel/Palestine.
EverWell International Scholarship is a global program supporting survivors of human trafficking with scholarships in their pursuit of education, independence, and success. The scholarship aims to alleviate the financial barriers that often hinder academic success by providing financial assistance, mentorship, and resources. EverWell International focuses on fostering a diverse pool of talent and encourages recipients to engage in leadership and community service initiatives. The scholarship helps individuals achieve their academic goals through its commitment to equity in education. It also nurtures a new generation of leaders equipped to impact their communities positively.
Heifer International (HI) focuses on alleviating poverty and hunger through sustainable agricultural practices and livestock distribution. Heifer provides families in need with livestock, such as cows, goats, and chickens, along with training in animal husbandry and sustainable farming techniques. This approach enhances food security and enables communities to generate income and improve their livelihoods. HI promotes a "pay it forward" model in which beneficiaries pass on the first female offspring of their animals to others in their community. Through its initiatives, Heifer International aims to create self-reliant communities and promote social and environmental sustainability.
Martha's Table (MT) in Washington, DC, serves the city's vulnerable at the Maycroft in Northwest and headquarters at The Commons in Southeast. MT is on a mission to support stronger children, stronger families, and stronger communities and seeks to do this through quality education, healthy food, and holistic family support. MT provides high-quality early education, comprehensive resources for parents, and programs to address mental health aspects of community violence. MT's McKenna's Wagon provides warm nightly meals 365 days a year to hungry people on the street.
Meals on Wheels Arlington delivers nutritious meals and provides companionship to seniors and individuals with disabilities in Arlington, Virginia. Their meal delivery program addresses food insecurity and promotes health and well-being among the vulnerable. Volunteers prepare and distribute meals and provide essential social interaction to help avert loneliness. In addition to meal services, they offer resources and support to help seniors maintain their independence and quality of life. Meals on Wheels contributes to a more inclusive and caring community by fostering connections and ensuring access to healthy food.
New Endeavors by Women (NEW) in Washington, DC, was established 35 years ago in the Shaw neighborhood and helps homeless women recognize their worth and create new futures. NEW offers long-term and transitional housing for women, children, and senior citizens, fosters life skills, and promotes education and employment skills. The program allows women to end the cycle of homelessness and live independently. NEW has helped more than 3,000 women break the cycle of homelessness.
Solar Household Energy (SHE) strives to unleash the potential of solar cooking to improve social, economic, and environmental conditions in sunny areas around the world. Solar cooking with low-cost modern solar cookers offers a practical, affordable, and sustainable alternative to fires in these regions. Solar Household Energy partners with governments, NGOs, and the private sector to distribute solar cookers, provide training, and conduct project assessments.
World Central Kitchen (WCK) provides meals in the wake of natural disasters and humanitarian crises. Founded by chef José Andrés in 2010, WCK mobilizes culinary volunteers and local chefs to prepare and distribute fresh, nutritious meals to affected communities, fostering resilience and support in times of need. The organization operates globally, responding quickly to emergencies and working alongside local partners to ensure food security. In addition to immediate relief efforts, WCK promotes sustainable food systems and culinary training, empowering communities to recover and thrive beyond disaster.
Proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
Armenian Relief and Development Association (ARDA) in Armenia serves one of the poorest countries of the former Soviet Union. Through local churches, ARDA shares God's love and the Gospel, provides humanitarian relief, partners with Young Life, operates a radio ministry, and helps children and the elderly with daily needs, such as school supplies, medicines, and food staples.
Central Union Mission in Washington, DC, works to demonstrate the love of Christ in the Metropolitan DC area. It helps individuals and families find hope, meet basic needs, and improve their lives by offering shelter, food, household goods, access to medical and dental care, job skills training, job placement assistance, counseling, educational programming in English and Spanish, and work experience. The Mission also helps people access public services and benefits and provides summer camp for children
Cornerstone Schools of Washington, DC, cultivates a partnership among family, school, and community to provide a Christ-centered, nurturing, and academically rigorous education. Cornerstone equips children with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to become leaders who serve others in light of Christ and his truth. Cornerstone serves 180 children from kindergarten to 12th grade.
FOCUS (Fellowship of Christians at Universities and Schools) fosters vibrant Christian community among students in educational settings. By providing opportunities for spiritual growth, leadership development, and meaningful connections, FOCUS supports students in their faith journeys while encouraging them to engage with their campuses and communities. The organization offers various programs, including Bible studies, mentorship, and service projects. FOCUS creates a supportive environment where students can explore their beliefs and build lasting friendships.
International Christian Medical Mission (ICMM) in Armenia delivers vital healthcare services to underserved populations in the region. The mission organizes medical clinics through volunteer medical professionals who provide free consultations, treatments, and health education for the community. In addition to direct medical care, ICMM emphasizes the importance of holistic support by offering spiritual guidance and emotional support.
Our Missionaries in the Middle East: This couple is involved in community building among Kurds and Christians in the Kurdistan area. They also teach English, assist with humanitarian needs, help lead an English language church for local missionaries, and share God's Word among the thousands of refugees and Internally Displaced People, primarily Syrians and Iraqis. The couple works at a neighborhood center, affording a broader ministry to neighborhood Muslims.
Salvation Army National Capital Area Command serves the Metropolitan area and surrounding counties by preaching the gospel of Jesus and meeting human needs without discrimination. Among its many services are a daily mobile food van, financial assistance for rent and utilities, transitional housing and life-skills training for young mothers, drug treatment programs, daycare centers, summer camps, music and tutoring programs, a Christmas gift program for low-income families, and an emergency human trafficking shelter. Army Corps locations within the National Area Command also provide various programs to local communities, including learning enrichment programs and holiday meal cards. Programs are Bible-based and adapted to local needs.
Jeremy and Stephanie Seep, missionaries with One Collective (formerly International Teams), serve at The Oasis, a Christian community center for refugees in Traiskirchen refugee camp near Vienna, Austria. They share God's love and the gospel through clothing distribution, emergency housing, friendship, Bible teaching, and the "Jesus Film." Many refugees who have not heard of Jesus are hungry to learn about him, and several have received new life in him. These new Christians are revitalizing the Austrian church.
The SMILES Foundation in Romania relieves poverty, promotes education, and provides hope and opportunity for under-served populations through evangelistic outreach, food distribution, medical support, social assistance, education, elder care, child care, housing, and employment. SMILES has served Romania for nearly 30 years and currently supports several Ukrainian refugee families in addition to their other efforts. NPC is planning a mission trip to Smiles in the summer of 2026.
Together for the Family (TFF) in Zahle, Lebanon, is a faith-based relief organization serving Syrian refugees with care and creativity while sharing the message of Jesus. Together for the Family offers help to families with newborns and education to children traumatized by war. TFF provides food parcels, medicines, and emergency medical care and hosts "trauma camps" to help young people process the emotional upheaval caused by war and relocation.
Unique Learning Center (ULC) in Washington, DC, provides a nurturing and Christian educational environment for under-resourced children and youth in the historic Shaw community. The ULC seeks to develop each child's God-given potential through academic enrichment, recreational and cultural development, and spiritual guidance. ULC works to break the cycle of poverty and help children realize their potential to become the next generation of leaders in their homes and communities. ULC's programs include tutoring, afterschool homework clusters, book and computer clubs, summer enrichment programs, and internships. ULC is a long-time NPC mission partner.
Volunteer to Help
Want to help on the the Mission Gifts team? We need helpers for food preparation, hospitality, cashiers, decorating and take down. Please click below to volunteer!
