Matthew 25 in the PC(USA): A bold vision and invitation
What is a Matthew 25 church?
Matthew 25:31–46 calls all of us to actively engage in the world around us, so our faith comes alive and we wake up to new possibilities. Convicted by this passage, both the 222nd and 223rd General Assemblies (2016 and 2018) exhorted the PC(USA) to act boldly and compassionately to serve people who are hungry, oppressed, imprisoned or poor.
How the vision unites all Presbyterians
By accepting the Matthew 25 invitation, you can help our denomination become a more relevant presence in the world. We recognize Christ’s urgent call to be a church of action, where God’s love, justice and mercy shine forth and are contagious. And we rejoice how our re-energized faith can unite all Presbyterians for a common and holy purpose: our common identity to do mission.
A 3-minute introduction to Matthew 25
How to become a Matthew 25 church
Are you already a Matthew 25 church?
If you are currently a Matthew 25 church, please consider taking a moment to share your story.
We celebrate the current Matthew 25 churches in the Heartland Presbytery:
John Knox Presbyterian Kirk, Kansas City, MO
Shawnee Presbyterian Church, Shawnee, KS
First Presbyterian Church, Fairfax, MO
JOY New Worshiping Community, St. Joseph, MO
Tarkio Presbyterian Church, Tarkio, MO
The Open Table, Kansas City, MO
Ward Parkway Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, MO
Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, MO
First Presbyterian Church, Warrensburg, MO
First Presbyterian Church, Paola, KS
Miami Presbyterian Church, Paola, KS
Southminster Presbyterian Church, Prairie Village, KS
First United Presbyterian Church, Osawatomie, KS
First Presbyterian Church, Lee’s Summit, MO
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Overland Park, KS
Second Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, MO
Linwood United Church, Kansas City, MO
Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church, Raytown, MO
Covenant Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, MO
First Presbyterian Church, Clinton, MO
First Presbyterian Church, Liberty, MO
Grandview Park Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, KS
NorthEastminster Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, MO
Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, MO
Westport Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, MO
Matthew 25 Resources
An Example of Matthew 25 at Work in Heartland Presbytery
Westport Presbyterian Sunday Morning Shower Ministry
The mission project began with four volunteers (Deacons Committee) and one homeless parishioner. The object was to provide a hot shower, laundry service and a meal before church. We use two restrooms that each have a shower.
The group provided personal care bags to take home ( i.e., shampoo, soap, dental care, deodorant, comb). By mid-March we had grown to three homeless men.
In June we joined forces with the Mission and Outreach Committee (already and currently providing sack lunches throughout the week), and expanded the project further to homeless people recruited by the committee.
We could no longer take the clothes to the laundromat as we were doing before. We had several donations and had water and additional electric services installed for the project.
We had several people donate washers and dryers so we now have three complete systems. Our volunteers have grown to over 12 people. We now have an extensive clothing closet and food donations which are used in feeding the people on Sunday. We give out needed clothing to the homeless, as well as launder them. Currently, on our largest Sunday we provided services to 30 people.
