Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance enables congregations and mission partners of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) to witness to the healing love of Christ through caring for communities adversely affected by crisis and catastrophic event.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is the emergency and refugee program of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. The core budget, including staff and administrative costs, is funded through the One Great Hour of Sharing, and its program work is additionally funded through designated gifts. Visit pda.pcusa.org for more information or to find ways to help.www.pda.pcusa.org

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

  • Focuses on the long term recovery of disaster impacted communities.
  • Provides training and disaster preparedness for presbyteries and synods.
  • Works collaboratively with church partners and members of the ACT Alliance (Action by Churches Together) internationally, and nationally with other faith based responders.
  • Connects partners locally and internationally with key organizations active in the response — United Nations, NVOAD (National Voluntary Agencies Active in Disaster), World Food Program, Red Cross, FEMA and others.

love thy neighbor

The Mission committee is starting up a new opportunity for the congregation to participate in local outreach. The "Love Thy Neighbor" program will sponsor a variety of organizations and give them support. 


Contact opcmissions@outlook.com for more information.


Current Needs:

Come join us and serve in Jesus name.  There are many ways for you to plug into mission. 

Below are current opportunities to consider.

 

Share the Harvest - St. Thomas Church

There are many ways to serve with Foodshare, Ventura from unloading a truck to passing out food to a family in need. There is a “pop up” food program at St Thomas Church the first Thursday of the month. To sign up, contact Drew West at drewwest@live.com.

 

Family to Family - Ventura

OPC prepares and serves lunch the second Friday of the month to Seniors, families and homeless. Contact Annell LaBarge


Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

Presbyterian Disaster Relief is our denomination mission partner. If you are looking for a way to give to those who have been devastated by a disaster go to pda.pcusa.org to give to a disaster/relief effort of your choice.  


Mission at OPC

 OPC Missions is dedicated to serving locally and internationally in the following areas: 

  

    Homelessness and Hunger
      Children and Youth
      Elderly and Senior Programs
      Relief Work and Disaster Response

 

What speaks to you?  Contact us to learn more.

Here is a list of some of our Mission Partners

  • Family to Family (Ojai-Ventura)   

    OPC works together with other Ojai and Ventura churches, the Ventura synagogue, and others to feed over 200 people a hot meal five days a week at the Catholic Charities dining hall on Ventura Avenue in Ventura.  A noon dinner is cooked on site and served Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and hot breakfast is served Saturdays and Sundays.  OPC serves dinner every second Friday of the month. 


    Ways to get involved: Each week we have some faithful, regular volunteers, but need extras to work as substitutes. Please consider adding your name to the substitute list. You are needed!


    Contact: Michael & Annell LaBarge

  • Knit for Kids

    Knit for Kids is a global movement that has donated more than half a million sweaters to needy children all over the world. World Vision has partnered with many leading charitable organizations to clothe needy children here in America and around the world in places like Romania, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Kosovo to name a few. The joy that Knit for Kids creates for the children who receive these sweaters is immeasurable, as is the joy experienced by caring people who knit them. 


    To participate:

    1. Knit or crochet a Knit for Kids sweater in any color and size you like using the patterns provided online at www.knitforkids.org (or pick up a pattern in the church office). 
    2. When you've finished, please give you completed sweater to Jane Weirick or place in a collection box on the church patio.
    3. Donate yarn to support the knitting efforts of others.
    Contact: Jill Helson

  • Food Share Sunday (1st Sunday of the month)

    Food Share Sunday 1st Sunday of the Month (Communion Sunday) Your continued donations of non-perishable food, toiletries, baby food and diapers are greatly appreciated. Did you know that one filled grocery cart feeds a family of four for a week? Please remember to bring your donations on Communion Sunday (usually the first Sunday of each month), so we can continue to help our neighbors through HELP of Ojai’s Pantry Program. 

  • Community Assistance Program (CAP)

    HELP of Ojai's Community Assistance Program (CAP) and Valley Outreach work to assist the most needy in our Ojai Valley.


    Ways to get involved:

    1. Each Communion Sunday (1st Sunday of the Month) bring non perishable food items for the food pantry.
    2. help with other projects as needed
    visit helpofojai.org or contact (805) 646-5122

  • Handyman Ministry

    The OPC Handyman Ministry's mission is to encourage fellowship while helping our neighbors in need by providing basic household repairs and services.  We can do anything from changing a lightbulb to minor carpentry and repairs and yard work, whatever is needed.  This ministry is open to adults as well as high school students.  No experience necessary. 

     

    If you're interested in participating, and/or have a person in mind for these services, please email OPC Missions at opcmissions@outlook.com.

  • Mexico Mission Trips With DOXA


    OPC has been in partnership with Unidos por Siempre in a colonia near Tijuana for the past eight years. This orphanage not only provides a safe and loving environment for children who have lost their parents, but is also a haven for families who don’t have the means necessary to provide for their children. In partnership with DOXA ministries,  we build houses in the local community for those in need. We are housed at the orphanage, and go out into the community daily to build a simple 12’ x 24’ sturdy and reliable home for these families.


    For more information, contact Jeff Holland

  • OPC Homeless Shelter

    Right here, without leaving town, you can help local families--offering them snacks, dinner, a hot shower, a warm safe place to sleep, breakfast, the gift of friendship and a time for prayer. 


    Whats to get involved: 

    1. Join us any Thursday night, December-March, to make snacks, cook and/or serve dinner, and visit with our guests.
    2. Get a group together and prepare a dinner.
    3. Sign-up to help with laundry, snacks, and more.
    4. Provide financial donations, lots of prayer, and socks, socks, socks!!

  • Impact

    A ministry of the Presbytery of Santa Barbara that sends out people from our local churches on short-term mission trips. Teams go to Uganda, Romania, Turkey, Honduras, China, Albania, Haiti, and India to work alongside missionaries with ongoing programs. These trips have helped us to develop long-standing relationships with missionaries such as Nita Hansen in the Ukraine or Ramazan Arkan’s church in Turkey. These relationships are not only valuable to the team, but also to the missionaries receiving the teams, as we uplift, support and serve with them. Trips take place in the summer and winter. 


    For more details go to www.impact-sbp.org or contact Annell LaBarge. 

  • Habitat for Humanity

    Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing low-cost housing for needy families.  Habitat builds houses throughout the world through the efforts of volunteers and the “sweat equity” of the home recipients.  There are projects currently in Ventura County available for volunteers.  


    Contact: Drew West

  • Teen Challenge Venture

    Teen Challenge of Southern California provides a one-year, Christian faith-based, residential care program to those struggling with life-controlling problems. This adult residential program for men and women ages 18 and older is offered in Southern California at no charge to the individual. The Ventura Teen Challenge branch serves women 18+. OPC Provides financial assistance to this ministry and offers service days to meet needs on the Teen Challenge campus and partner with Teen Challenge residents.