OUTREACH MINISTRIES
Outreach Ministries
Our outreach ministries offer people of all ages a way to grow in faith and follow Jesus by loving and serving others in the world around us. At First Church, everyone is encouraged to grow as followers of Jesus by serving others. Below are brief descriptions several First Church community outreach ministries. You can click the buttons below to be directed to our Signup and Donation pages.
This October, Reimagine and First Newark are showing up for our neighbors — not with one big event, but a handful of smaller ones spread across the month. Shower ministry care, a meal for Newark's unhoused community, cookies for first responders, a first step toward an ongoing presence with OSUN students, and hosting a neighborhood preschool's trunk-or-treat. Different projects, different time commitments, same idea: pick what fits your schedule and show up for a few hours
Newark Homeless Outreach
Fri, Oct 16, 5:30-7pm — Prep at First Church (entrees, PB&J sandwiches).
Sat, Oct 17, 10am-12pm — Final prep at First Church, 8:30-9:30am; meal served at 184 East Main St, Newark, OH 43055, drop-off ~8:45am.
Needs: water, chips, desserts, hot dogs (no need to precook) and buns, fruit, PB&J supplies, entrees that scale up easily — plus hands for prep and serving.
No Tricks Just Treats
(OSUN) (Treat bags for students with candy, fidgets, stickers, etc)
Now through Oct 25 — Collecting candy.
Sun, Oct 25 — Baggie-stuffing party at Reimagine after worship.
Thu, Oct 29 — Meet at Reimagine, 1:30pm, to pick up supplies; table to campus, 2-4pm.
Kids Min Cookies for First Responders
(kids bake cookies on Saturday, congregations to supplement with cookie donations)
Sat, Oct 24, 10-11:30am, at Reimagine — Baking.
Sun, Oct 25 — Packing during worship at Reimagine and First Church; families take cookies to first responder stations afterward.
Trunk or Treat
(Reimagine)
Fri, Oct 30, 9-11am. Hosting the Montessori preschool's trunk-or-treat. May end up Reimagine-only if First isn't able to fold in.
SIGN UP: HERE
Shower Ministry
The lower level of the church is opened to provide showers, snacks/lunch, and a place to relax for our unhoused neighbors on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Anyone in the community is welcome, no questions asked. The ministry was profiled by The Reporting Project, which was subsequently republished by both the Newark Advocate and the Columbus Dispatch (read the Dispatch article here).
Volunteers setup; interact with the guests; restock supplies; prepare, serve, and cleanup lunch; and cleanup and reset the room at the end of the day. You can also help out through donating to support the ministry.
2nd Sunday Dinners
We provide dinner at the Salvation Army on second Sunday of each month In addition to the cooking and serving of the meal, volunteers can support this ministry by donations (monetary or specific food items) and through our gift card program.
Casey’s Cupboard
Casey’s Cupboard is a free store for people who need assistance obtaining necessary household items. Casey’s Cupboard helps by providing new or gently used kitchen items (such as dishes, pots and pans, utensils, small appliances, etc.), and bathroom and bedroom linens.
Applicants must qualify and be referred by a local partner agency.
Blessing Bags
We provide “Blessing Bags” of food and personal care supplies to individuals requesting them. Any person in need of food is eligible to receive a Blessing Bag from First Church — there is no need to register with the church as part of the Licking County Food Pantry system. The Blessing Bag food is all ready-to-eat, requiring no kitchen facilities. Volunteers provide monetary donations or donations of specific Blessing Bag items as requested.
Child of God Preschool
First Church hosts Child of God Preschool, established in 1998 as a ministry of the church. Child of God Preschool is a non-profit Christian preschool serving children ages 3 through 5. Click here to be directed to the Child of God Preschool website.