Our Ministries
Serve like Jesus
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Serving at church is an incredible opportunity to make a real difference in your community. It's not just about attending Sunday services, but about actively engaging with those around you and sharing God's love in practical ways. When you serve, you become part of a family that supports and encourages one another. You get to build relationships, connect with people from all walks of life, and witness firsthand the power of unity in serving a common purpose.
Through Presbyterian Church of the Mountain, you can help meet the needs of the community, whether it's through organized outreach programs, volunteering at local shelters, or simply being a listening ear to someone going through a tough time.
Serving allows you to use your unique abilities and talents to impact lives, and in doing so, you not only uplift others but also find a sense of purpose and fulfillment that can't be found anywhere else.
For Kids
The Fetzer Institute conducted research that has shown that one of the most important things we can give our children for their mental health is a spiritual foundation (fetzer.org).
“More recently, the finding that adolescents with a robust spirituality—rooted within their families and supported in educational settings—are 35%-80% less likely to fall victim to substance abuse, deepens our understanding of the importance of this approach.”
It’s time to equip our children with a greater sense of meaning and community for their, and society’s, well-being. Our church involves our young ones with a children’s message during worship, children’s pageants, Sunday School comma and ways to participate in this community with our weekly summer hikers dinners and other community events.
For Teens
Every year we offer a confirmation class to our teens, often joining with youth from area churches, to ground them in the faith and equip them to become active members in the Body of Christ. Community service and team-building (?) is part of their education.
For Adults
The church provides numerous activities to be involved in, whether it's serving our hikers, PATH that provides transitional housing, our international missions, or the Artists in Residence program, fundraisers, Bible studies at church and the truck stop, plus other opportunities to grow faith with feet.
Hikers Center
Our first mission began in 1976, when the church opened a hostel for through hikers on the Appalachian Trail. We are the oldest hostel on the Trail, welcoming foot-weary hikers from around the world.
We are not open to people with car support, scout groups, tour groups or short distance hikers. For those making the long trek, however, we offer many different kinds of support. We have a bunk room, shower, lavatory, and sitting room inside and a three sided shelter called Matt’s Place on the property outside.
The first night is free. Stays are limited to two nights unless an emergency exists. Then the Pastor’s permission should be sought. The church has a strict no alcohol, no illegal drugs policy.
Northwest Jersey
Truck Stop Outreach
We participate in the Northwest Jersey Truck Stop Outreach, a nonprofit Christian organization based at the Travel Center of America in Columbia, New Jersey. Our mission is to give comfort, aid, and education to any and all who come through. We hold a weekly Bible study every Wednesday at 7:00 PM and invite you to join us. We would love to meet you.
Church Outreach
Summer Concert Series
P.A.T.H.
Presbyterian Church of the Mountain has been an active supporter of Pocono Area Transitional Housing (PATH) since its beginning. PATH serves homeless families by providing beautiful hope, and by creating housing and specific programming that addresses why each family has become homeless. PATH aims to change lives -- and they do! After entering and completing the program, the family is phased into their own home with their future in place. PATH has an impressive 97% success rate in rehoming families.
International Missions
Cuba
The church has a 12-year partnership with the Reformed Church in Cardenaz, Cuba. We began by bringing medicines to the members there, and our partnership has grown to one of mutual support and care. We send teams to them, and we have had two teams from Cuba visit us. The last visit was in the summer of 2009 when three Cuban members stayed with us for 10 days.
Kenya
In 2005 we began a mission to the village of Amilo outside of Kisumu in Kenya. It started with support for AIDS orphans in the village and has grown into a multifaceted outreach.
The Church first supported 15 orphans, provided a school feeding program, drilled a well, built housing, and brought simple medical care and information to the village. In 2009, the Church gave birth to AVFP (Alice Visionary Fund Project), a 501(c)3 nonprofit ministry. AVFP carries on our work and will expand it to include mico-industries, plans for a community center in the village, aiding in transportation and more.
AVFP has a solid four-year record with the Church of accountability for all the supplies and funds given to it, and has set a firm foundation for success in Kenya. It now has both an American board and a Kenyan team overseeing its work. The Church continues to support the work of AVFP.
