Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
Mark 16:15
Ministries/Missions
Dardenne Presbyterian Church feels strongly about reaching out beyond the walls of the church building and making a difference locally, nationally, and around the world.
2024 Missions and Ministry Resource Guide
Congregational Care
The Congregational Care Ministry is a Diaconate committee that is comprised of sixteen sub-committees who care for the Church family. Our mission is to supply love, spiritual, emotional, and physical support by reaching out and helping each family member experience the love of Jesus Christ by feeling connected as a Church member and appreciated as a vital part of the body of Christ. Simply stated, we are “caring for each other.”
For more information about these ministries, contact Jeff Cook, Director of Congregational Care.
636-312-5000 – jeffrey.cook@dpc4u.org
Alzheimer's Faith Ambassador
The mission of the Alzheimer’s Faith Ambassadors at Dardenne Presbyterian Church is to support and educate families in our congregation as well as visitors that are dealing with loved ones with Alzheimer's. Contact: Jennifer Kessler 314-580-7279 jennifer.kessler@charter.net
Angel Meals
Angel Meals provide meals for families and individuals that had surgery, experienced the loss of a loved one, are new parents, are home bound, recovering from an illness and other circumstances. We provide meals to all in need. Contact: Andrea Herkenhoff 281-722-9909 andreah6990@gmail.com
Cancer Companions Support Group
Our mission is to support those on their cancer journey and help them draw closer to God for spiritual, emotional, and physical support including transportation rides to doctor and treatment appointments. Our group meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at 6:00PM in the Parlor. Contact: Jeff Cook 636-312-5000 – jeffrey.cook@dpc4u.org
Pet Therapy Ministry
This ministry provides comfort for homebound parishioners and senior nursing home residents who need companionship and visitation. Our ministry spends on average 20 hours each week providing comfort through Pet Therapy. We use certified and trained dogs, one which is a Westie and the other a Cavachon to facilitate this ministry. Phone calls are made for appointments and planned visits to senior memory care units, retirement facilities, and individual homes. Contact: Don Siress 314-603-5163 djsiress@charter.net
GriefShare
GriefShare is a 13-week Christian, and Bible based seminar designed to help people rebuild their lives after suffering a loss. Our group is led by caring people who have experienced personal loss and grief and want to help individuals through the difficult times ahead. GriefShare consists of three components that work together to help individuals recover from the deep hurt of loss. These elements consist of: Video Seminar, Group Discussion, and Personal Workbook. Contact: Jeff Cook 636-312-5000 – jeffrey.cook@dpc4u.org or Julie Troxell
636-699-2147 jetrox855@gmail.com
HEALTHCARE MINISTRY
This ministry helps members navigate the healthcare process. We have developed and maintain a resource list to help identify the various types of at-home or long-term care providers as well as food pantries, support groups and assistance with housing and clothing should the need arise. Contact: Jeff Cook 636-312-5000 – jeffrey.cook@dpc4u.org
HOPE AND HEALING
Under the leadership of Rev. Melissa K. Leo, the Hope and Healing service is held in the Rock Church on the first Wednesday of each month at 5PM. At this service we pray for, lay hands on, and anoint those who are hurting physically, emotionally, spiritually, or relationally. Contact: Ralph Kessler 314-706-4594rkessler2002@charter.net
INTERCESSORY PRAYER
The Intercessory Prayer Team meets every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in the Hearth Room. We continue to maintain an average of 6 to 8 people each week as we pray for all prayer requests, missionaries, requests from the food pantry, helping hands and those who attend the Hope and Healing services. We welcome all who feel God's call to join us in prayer. Contact: Ralph Kessler
314-706-4594 rkessler2002@charter.net
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The Prayer Shawl Ministry prepares shawls of comfort, which are given to anyone who is going through a difficult time in their life. This ministry includes prayer shawls for women, lap robes for men, and blankets for children. Our crafters, who we call “Yarn Angels,” knit or crochet their shawls/lap robes/baby blankets while saying prayers for the future receiver. Contact: Jeff Cook
636-312-5000 – jeffrey.cook@dpc4u.org
TEDDY BEAR MINISTRY
Teddy Bears are collected, sanitized, tagged, and then prayed over at the Hope and Healing service. These teddy bears are used in the same manner as prayer shawls/lap robes and designed for young children, teenagers, parents, and grandparents of all ages that need a bear to hug. Contact: Jeff Cook 636-312-5000 – jeffrey.cook@dpc4u.org
STEPHEN MINISTRY
Stephen Ministry provides one-on-one Christ care to individuals in our congregation and community. All Stephen ministers and leaders receive 50 hours of training in the Stephen Ministries St. Louis Series Course. Each Stephen Minister meets once per week with their assigned care receiver for about an hour. Their assignment can range from several months to years. Contact: Jeff Cook 636-312-5000 – jeffrey.cook@dpc4u.org
HOME ALONE MINISTRY
The Visitation Ministry oversees the spiritual, religious, and other church connection needs of over 40 identified members unable to attend church/worship in person (homebound, confined to a skilled nursing facility, in the hospital, etc.). Contact: Jeff Cook 636-312-5000 – jeffrey.cook@dpc4u.org
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STRONG TOWER RANCH
Features horsemanship and day camps with the goal of providing quality, Christ-centered programs that are engaging, character-building, and rehabilitating. “Strong Tower” reminds us that we have a mighty fortress in Christ. STR wants children, teens, and adults who come here to find love and refuge from a harsh world. Our priority is to help those who are at risk or less fortunate. We are non-denominational, non-profit and dependent on prayers, financial support, and volunteer help. Located on 114 acres in Foristell, Missouri, STR enjoys a peaceful, beautiful setting for recreational ministry. The Horsemanship program serves children from age seven and up, teens, and adults. The Day Camp program serves children ages 8-14. People come to volunteer expecting to be a blessing and leave saying they received more than they gave. The training for those who serve in programs is very valuable, especially to young people (15+) who wish to develop leadership skills.
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CRU – http://www.cru.org – “CRU is an interdenominational Christian evangelism and discipleship ministry committed to giving people everywhere the opportunity to know and experience God’s love and plan for their lives. Cru is the U.S. ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ International.”
JOY IN HAITI– http://joyinhaiti.org – “The mission of Joy in Haiti is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ in Haiti, as well as to help meet the physical needs of those living in poverty. Joy in Haiti works with followers of Jesus who live in Haiti and are sharing their faith with those around them.”
BACKPACK PROGRAM
Hunger Doesn’t Take a Weekend Break
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Each week Dardenne Presbyterian Church decreases the burden of childhood hunger by collecting over 700 food items to feed 60 local elementary children who live below the federal poverty level.
The partner organization for Operation Backpack is Operation Foodsearch, a regional charity dedicated to healing hunger in the greater St. Louis area.
Let’s work together to stand in the gap for these children.
Please donate any of the following individually packaged, shelf-stable items.
· Canned vegetables, fruit, or soups
· Macaroni and cheese
· Granola bars
· Hot chocolate
· Canned ravioli
· Oatmeal
· Individual snack items
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Together we will ensure that these precious children will receive proper nutrition vital to their growth and development.
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For more information or to get involved, please contact us at
backpacks@dpc4u.org or call Jessica Grotewiel directly at (314)-603-1415.
HELPING HANDS is a local mission that assists both church members and people in the local community that are experiencing short term financial need. Funds for this mission come from dedicated giving to the Helping Hands Fund. The fund will assist with rent, utilities and any other need deemed worthy by the committee.
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Those wishing to apply for assistance should start by contacting the church office and filling out a request form. For this form, you will need: ssn#, driver’s license, information on income and expenses, copy of bill and/or account numbers, name and address, landlord name and address (if applicable). Someone will contact you when the request is received. Within two weeks you will receive a letter informing you of the action taken by the Helping Hands Committee.
THE HOPE MINISTRIES FOOD PANTRY started in 1988, and operates under the auspices of Operation Food Search. HOPE Food Ministries is open on Wednesdays from 8-10am, and is located at 206 Elm Street in O’Fallon. For more information, call our church office at (636) 561-4347. We collect and distribute food weekly to those who have qualified. As part of our ministry of help, we also encourage our patrons to sign up for Christmas gifts.
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Beyond the Christmas help, we collect food all year. There is a large armoire in Mission Hall where food items can be dropped off for pick up. Any non-perishable foods are greatly appreciated. We also continue to need plastic and paper grocery bags. Thank you so much for your help and support. Look for us in Mission Hall!
MARY MARTHA THRIFT STORE is located in Wentzville at 9 West Koenig Street. It is supported by eight local churches, including DPC. Once every eight weeks, it is our turn to manage the store. There are two parts to the store: the clothing side, where everything is sold for $6 a shopping bag or $1 for an individual item; and the household side, which sells items such as kitchen goods, toys, books, crafts, tools, and more. These items are individually priced at 50 cents or more.
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Our responsibilities include emptying the boxes and bags of donations, sorting, pricing, and placing them on shelves or hangers for sale. With very few exceptions, there is no heavy lifting involved. We even have some jobs where you can sit and work.
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The store is open for shoppers on Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 – 4:00 and on Saturday morning from 9:00 to noon. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning, volunteers sort, price, and stock shelves. If you can volunteer just a few hours during our week, you will be part of something special. We have fun as we work and fellowship with other volunteers and customers.
All profits from the sales are divided among the eight churches, 20 local charities, and 5 Christian educational institutions – including Adam Lamb Preschool. DPC’s portion helps fund The Helping Hands Ministry, which helps those in need in our community.
Come join us as we Restore Community while Representing Christ!
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations worldwide through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God’s love.
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Every day, boys and girls worldwide suffer from war, poverty, disease, and natural disaster. Operation Christmas Child allows millions of these children to experience God’s love through shoe boxes filled with gifts by caring individuals, families, churches, and other groups in the U.S. and ten other sending countries. OCC distributes the gifts to children in almost 100 countries and works in and through local churches where possible, offering children Gospel literature and culturally appropriate evangelistic and follow-up programs. The shoe box gifts open doors for presenting the Good News of Jesus Christ.
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National Collection week always falls the week before Thanksgiving on any given year. Information on collection times and opportunities for volunteering will become available in the later part of October and will be announced here.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Prayer shawls are given to anyone in need of comfort. Did you know that you are part of this ministry? Prayer shawls are lovingly created for folks who need warm arms of concern wrapped about them. Dardenne Yarn Angels knit or crochet shawls while praying for the recipient. Prayer shawls may be given to anyone in need of comfort regardless of church affiliation and may be given by anyone within the church. The shawls are kept in the closet across from the office mailboxes. Feel free to take one and record the recipient’s name on the clipboard hanging in the closet. If you would like to become a Dardenne Yarn Angel, know of someone who is in need of a Prayer Shawl, or have any questions, please contact Leah Reynolds at 636-485-9653 or Nancy Krone at 636-978-2301.
RESTORE ST. CHARLES was founded to help our fellow citizens with the challenges facing them today and enabling them to reclaim their future. It is a missions focused group started by the members of Dardenne Presbyterian Church and supported by several local churches, service organizations, and gracious sponsors. All are focused on helping where help is needed. For more information, visit the Restore St Charles website.
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Mission
To restore lives, hope, and faith by restoring homes and properties.
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Objective
Enable clients to better cope with their problems (lifestyle, medical, personal) by relieving them of difficulties fostered by inadequate living quarters.
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Bring together those that want to help:
Volunteers – skilled and unskilled who agree with our mission
Churches –who are seeking to improve their local outreach
Sponsors – businesses and individuals using their dollars to really make a difference
The King will answer and say to them,
“Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.”— MATTHEW 25:40
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Here’s some examples of how Restore St. Charles has helped:
Family X – Removed damaged flooring and laid hardwood floor of a family with five young children and mother who was, and continues to be, treated for cancer.
Family Y – Laid tile floor and installed toilet and sink in first floor bath for single mom with 4 young children, one disabled and unable to climb stairs to upstairs bath.
Family Z – Repaired the roof of a manufactured home being destroyed by squirrels.
LINC Recreation Facility – Cleaned up the recreational facilities, painting tables, cutting grass and removing trash.
1911 Glengate Residence – fully restored a condemned residence for an evicted single parent family and brought the home up to code; completed on Christmas Eve.
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Jesus demands our personal involvement in caring for other’s needs. Be it a simple act of kindness or rebuilding a home; Restore St. Charles is working hard to do what is expected of us. Will you join us?
Please Email Restore St. Charles for more information or contact the church office.
Strategic Water Teams is a faith-based organization that seeks to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ by addressing a global health issue. Its focus is on restoring health, hope, and faith by providing clean/safe drinking water to all those in need.
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To accomplish this missing they:
· Provide training and certification on the installation, operation, and maintenance of the New Life International Chlorinator in multiple system configurations
· Educate trainees on the importance of proper health and hygiene and provide tools for improving such in developing countries
· Leading and participating in mission trips to developing countries (such as Hati) with the objective of installing water purification systems and training local leaders on their use and maintenance
· Repairing hand-pumps and supporting the installation of systems to gather and collect water for purification
· Developing and supporting strategic partnerships with other organizations that share a common goal of raising awareness of the water crisis
· Spreading the Gospel of the "Living Water" of Jesus to communities they visit worldwide.
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Clean water is not a luxury. It is essential to human life. Help to SHARE HOPE by joining them to provide clean water to those in need. They are a stand-alone 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Visit their website at Strategic Water Teams or contact the SWT Administration Team at strategicwaterteams@gmail.com.
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STRONG TOWER RANCH
Strong Tower Ranch features horsemanship and day camps with the goal of providing quality, Christ-centered programs that are engaging, character-building, and rehabilitating. “Strong Tower” reminds us that we have a mighty fortress in Christ. STR wants children, teens, and adults who come here to find love and refuge from a harsh world. Our priority is to help those who are at risk or less fortunate. We are non-denominational, non-profit, and dependent on prayers, financial support, and volunteer help.
Located on 114 acres in Foristell, Missouri, STR enjoys a peaceful, beautiful setting for recreational ministry. The Horsemanship program serves children from age seven and up, teens, and adults. The Day Camp program serves children ages 8-14. People come to volunteer expecting to be a blessing and leave saying they received more than they gave. The training for those who serve in programs is very valuable, especially to young people (15+) who wish to develop leadership skills.
There are many opportunities for volunteer service at Strong Tower Ranch. Below is a list of some specific areas of need. If you see something on this list that interests you, just send an e-mail to info@STRanch.org . Please indicate the area(s) of service in which you are interested.
Day Camp volunteer:
· Arts/Crafts
· Counselor/Assistant Counselor
· Music, Drama
· Food Service
· LifeGuard
· Nurse
· Outdoor/Nature Instruction
· Recreation/Sports
· Van Driver
Horse Program voluteer:
· Horse Care/Training
· Horsemanship Instruction
· Youth Discipleship
Property and Grounds Maintenance
· Auto Repair
· Boat Maintenance (non-motor)
· Carpentry
· Construction
· Landscaping
· General Maintenance
Administrative:
· Office Work/Computer
· Volunteer Coordination
Other support
· Friend & Fundraising
· Public Relations
· Grant writing
· Special Events support