Ministries

Longview Interfaith Hospitality Network (LIHN)

First Presbyterian Church, Kilgore, Texas, is volunteering to serve as a Host Church in Kilgore along with other churches involved in the support of Interfaith Hospitality Network in keeping the family together as they struggle to regain their independence. Currently over 600 volunteers are trained at Longview Interfaith Hospitality Network. LIHN identifies and screens the families who will participate in the program and trains the volunteers at each church (2-hour training session).

This vital ministry for homeless families is currently supported by eleven churches in East Texas providing overnight lodging and meals for guests (up to 14 adults and children) that have a crisis in their lives, have no means to pray rent, and in many cases do not have employment. The guests stay in the host church overnight using cots provided by LIHN and are transported back to the Day Facility in Longview where they spend their days. First Presbyterian Church will host the guests one week out of eleven. The guests are screened and selected by the social worker who directs the agency. The guests qualify as families that are attempting to stay together through the crisis. The guests agree to a rigid set of rules and are screened for drug and alcohol abuse and for criminal backgrounds. The program has an 80% success record of restoring the family to self sufficiency.

There are numerous opportunities to volunteer to support the LIHN ministry including: meal preparation, evening meal and breakfasts hosts, overnight hosts and van drivers. Members of our congregation will be given the opportunity to volunteer first but additional volunteers from other churches in Kilgore will be asked to join us in supporting this ministry. Call 903-984-1502.

English As A Second Language (ESL)

In partnership with the East Texas Literacy Council (ETLC), First Presbyterian Church of Kilgore is providing English as a Second Language classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Two classes are offered, one for beginners and one for more advanced students. To date more than 30 adults have participated. This high level of response indicates a strong need in the community and represents one of the strongest responses to an ESL offering in Gregg County. These classes are offered free to the participants. Our church provides the print materials as well as child care during the classes. Volunteers support the ETLC instructors by providing conversational practice partners for the students. For more information or to volunteer, contact the church office 903-984-1502

Saturday Bread

Saturday Bread is a program that provides a free lunch every Saturday of the year (11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.) to shut-ins, lower income wage earners, seniors and anyone who finds themselves in need. While most meals are delivered, a sit down meal is served in the Fellowship Hall of the First Presbyterian Church beginning at 11:00 A.M.

Each week, over 121 people receive hot meal deliveries with an additional 8 to 14 regular "walk-ins" who come to the church's Fellowship Hall for their meal. At the present time there are fourteen active Saturday Bread Teams who plan, cook and deliver these delicious and nutritious meals to anyone in need. You may add someone to the list by simply calling the church office.

Volunteers from First Presbyterian Church make up eight of the teams with St. Luke's Methodist, First Church of God, Kilgore Bible Church, St. Paul's Episcopal and Christ the King Catholic comprising the remaining five. Volunteers are always needed. If you would like to volunteer to serve in this vital ministry by helping to cook or to deliver, please contact the church office (903-984-1502).

On the 2nd Sunday of each month, those attending First Presbyterian Church Services or Sunday School Classes have the opportunity to designate part of their offering to help support this vital ministry to our community.