Caring for the Welfare of Our City

God’s people are challenged through the Scriptures to care – for Jesus’ sake – about the communities in which they live.  Old Testament believers who found themselves in exile were told, “…seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you…” (Jeremiah 29:7).  Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14).

The following ministry opportunities are ways we might increasingly care for the welfare of our city.

Supported Ministries

A Moment of Hope

A Moment of Hope is a protestant, evangelical outreach to women seeking abortions at the local abortion clinic, Planned Parenthood. They minister through sidewalk counseling and mobile ultrasounds. Moms who choose life are paired with pregnancy care teams in a local church. Interested in more information or volunteering? Contact Mark Baumgartner at (803) 348-1984 or at mark@amoh.org.

Blue Ridge Prison Ministry

Blue Ridge Ministries works with incarcerated men and women to help them fulfill their God-given roles in the family, church, and community. They offer parenting and life-skill courses to equip them to be the parents and leaders God has designed and called them to be. Interested in more information? Contact below.

Camp Joy of South Carolina

Camp Joy SC is a Christian camp for individuals with intellectual disabilities. It is an overnight camp, and campers are paired with a counselor for the week. The camper and counselor participate in Bible, crafts, various recreational activities, and chapel daily to learn about Jesus.
Interested in more information or volunteering? Contact David Harrell.

Capitol Ambassadors

Capitol Ambassadors is committed to being God’s Ambassadors in the political arena. They are the messengers with the singular message that can bring about reconciliation due to the seriousness of sin that has caused the separation between God and man. Interested in more information? Contact Jeff Lingerfelt.

Christian Counseling Center

The Christian Counseling Center has the unique role of assisting First Presbyterian Church by providing Biblically-based clinical counseling and preventative services in order to build vibrant lives and strong families.  Their vision is to provide counseling that will change lives and have an eternal impact. Interested in learning more? Contact Kathy Locklear.

Child Evangelism Fellowship

CEF is a Bible-centered, worldwide organization composed of born-again believers, whose purpose is to evangelize boys and girls in the public school with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to disciple them in the Word of God, and to establish them in the local church. Interested in getting involved with the Good News Club? Contact Frances L. Sims or Amalia Mock or call (803) 798-4405. 

CIU Prison Initiative

The Prison Initiative is an accredited associate degree program for inmates to train them to serve in SCDC. Upon graduation, student inmates serve under the leadership of the chaplain of each institution assigned. Prison Initiative has graduated 195 students who serve 21 institutions in SC. Interested in learning more? Contact Dr. Andre T. Melvin.

Christian Medical & Dental Association

CMDA exists to know Christ and make him known to their staff, patients, coworkers, community, and the broader world. They provide resources, networking opportunities, education, and a public voice for Christian healthcare professionals and students. Interested in learning more? Contact Dr. Rick McCain. 

The Cola Network 

The Cola Network exists to call the church of Greater Columbia to partner in a covenant relationship to represent the gospel to every man, woman, and child in the city. They serve to mobilize participating churches and para-church ministries to love and serve their communities. Interested in learning more? Contact Russell (Russ) L. Holt. 

The Cooperative Ministry

The Cooperative Ministry exists to increase the economic self-sufficiency of people experiencing poverty in the Midlands. Founded in 1982, they serve others through financial assistance, empowerment coaching, free clothing, furniture, food, free income tax preparation, career improvement services, and insurance counseling. Interested in more information or volunteering? Contact Beth H. Irick at (803) 799-3853.

Daybreak Ministries

Daybreak is a Gospel ministry for those facing unplanned pregnancies. They endeavor to show the love of Christ to all who come for services. They offer counseling and comfort for those who have been victims of abortion. All services are provided free to recipients. Interested in more information or volunteering? Contact Eddie Benton at (803) 771-6634 or eddie@daybreakcola.org.

Ezekiel Ministries

Ezekiel Ministries partners with local churches to recruit loving adult mentors who will make a long-term investment in children’s lives. They strive to provide positive role models through mentoring, apprenticeship, and after-school programs, with an intensive focus on reading, math, character-building, and spiritual well-being. Interested in more information? Contact Viktoria McKenna. 

Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)

Midlands FCA seeks to impact the lives of coaches and athletes throughout our 15-county area. They serve colleges, high schools, and middle schools across central SC. Their mission is to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church. Interested in more information? Contact Ervin Mack at (803) 917-9755 or emack@fca.org.

Focused Living

Focused Living is a ministry to men in the Midlands. They help men get connected to God and focus their living. They have daily men's forums that meet in the mornings throughout the city and offer a GRIP discipleship track each Fall and Spring. Interested in more information? Contact Jason Yarborough. 

Foster Care Closet

The Foster Care Resource Closet assists families with foster children. Items are collected and vouchers are provided to foster families for the purpose of purchasing clothing, shoes, equipment, toys, and other needed items at the local Family Store. Volunteers are needed to donate items, organize donations, help shoppers during operating hours, and pray for shoppers. Interested in more information? Contact Hannah Engroos at hannah.engroos@gmail.com.

Forge Ministries

Forge is an itinerant ministry that proclaims the gospel in a wide variety of settings. Their heart is to see people come to know Christ and to see believers deepen their relationship with Him and serve Him through a daily life of personal ministry. Interested in learning more? Contact Adrian Despres. 

The Gideons International

The Gideons International is an association of Christian business and professional men and their wives dedicated to telling people about Jesus Christ by providing Bibles and New Testaments and sharing personal testimonies. They place and distribute Scriptures in the lanes and byways of life. Interested in learning more? Contact William B. DePass or Col. David V. Massey.

Harvest Hope

Harvest Hope is on a mission to eliminate hunger and food insecurity throughout South Carolina. We operate programs that provide food for the most vulnerable citizens – children, seniors, and rural residents. Interested in more information or volunteering? Contact Kristy Mclellan.

International Friendship Ministries

In the spirit of Matthew 28:19-20, International Friendship Ministries seeks to introduce international students/scholars and their families to Jesus Christ and bring as many as possible into a saving relationship with Him through means of sincere friendship, genuine hospitality, and true Christian love. Interested in more information or volunteering? Contact Dr Rajarathnam (Raj) Aluri at (803) 318-0800.

InterVarsity University of South Carolina

InterVarsity is a community - on campus and for the campus. Their main activity is facilitating small groups, and these small groups build community and study the Bible. Their hope is that students grow in love for God, His Word, His people, and His purposes. Interested in more information or volunteering? Contact Lizzie Keegan.

Lifeline Children's Services

Lifeline offers compassionate care and support to vulnerable children, families, and expectant mothers. They provide a variety of services, including adoption, foster care, counseling, and education. Their vision is to see vulnerable children and their communities transformed by the gospel and making disciples. Interested in learning more? Contact Jessica Cumbers. 

Midtown Fellowship - Two Notch

Midtown Two Notch is a church plant along Two Notch Road that focuses their ministry and outreach efforts on impoverished, high-crime-rate communities. They have done many prayer walks, block parties, and other service events to build relationships and share Christ with their neighbors.  Interested in learning more? Contact Antony Lamar Frederick.

Oliver Gospel Mission

Oliver Gospel has been serving those in homelessness and poverty in the Midlands since 1888. They are the 6th oldest rescue mission in the US.  They are involved in engaging and transforming lives together through the power of Christ’s love. Interested in more information or volunteering? Contact Kara Pippin.

Palmetto Family Council 

Palmetto Family Council’s mission is to persuasively present biblical principles in the centers of influence on issues affecting the family through research, communication, and networking.  Their vision is to see God honored, religious freedom preserved, families thrive, and life cherished. Interested in learning more? Contact Mitch Prosser. 

Pearls

Pearls offers support, hope, and restoration to women working in Columbia's adult entertainment industry. Through monthly outreaches to local strip clubs, they build relationships with women working in the clubs and share the hope that is found only in Jesus. Interested in learning more or volunteering? Contact below.

Presbyterian and Reformed Commission on Chaplains (PRCC)

The PRCC is dedicated to obeying Christ’s Great Commission by providing men to serve as chaplains. The Commission endorses and ecclesiastically supports ordained, qualified chaplains and helps presbyteries and congregations minister to military personnel and their families. Interested in learning more or volunteering? Contact below.

Providence Home

Providence Home is a Christ-focused transitional housing, accountability, and stability for men that promotes recovery from drugs, alcohol, and incarceration.  Relying on the life-saving grace of Jesus Christ, they help men be restored into their family and community. Interested in more information or volunteering? Contact Rob Settle at (803) 779-2927.

Reformed University Fellowship (RUF)
University of South Carolina

RUF exists on the campus to reach students for Christ and to equip them to serve. They aim to do this with relational humility and honesty, as they love students through the avenue of ministry.  They have a heart for the gospel and the campus. Interested in more information or volunteering? Contact Sammy Rhodes.

Teen Challenge - Southeast Region - Columbia, SC

Teen Challenge offers life transformation and hope for men with life-controlling issues. They reach out to those with addictions and care for them in residential centers. They also assist local churches through support ministries for hurting people and families in their congregations and communities. Interested in learning more? Contact Jacob Embry. 

Toby's Place

Toby's Place is Oliver Gospel's ministry for women and children, which opened in 2017. Toby's Place offers long-term transitional housing program to equip residents to live and build a sustainable lifestyle for themselves and their families. Interested in more information or volunteering? Contact Kara Pippin.

Young Life - Columbia, Downtown Columbia, YoungLives

Young Life is an outreach ministry for middle school, high school, and college students. Their mission is to introduce students to Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith. Staff and volunteer leaders build relationships with students centered around knowing Jesus and following Him. Interested in more information or volunteering? Contact Rick Palmer.