Evregreen’s outreach efforts go way beyond the four walls of our church building and include Global Outreach, or missions; Local Missions, including mercy ministries; and Church Planting, both locally and regionally.
Global Outreach
Evergreen’s Mission’s committee has coordinated and sent several short term missions teams in the past several years including trips to Vancouver BC to serve the homeless and the drug addicts on East Hastings Street; to Malawi, Africa to support the work of African Bible College; and to Guadalajara, Mexico to support Little Ranch of Hope.
After both becoming Christians, Jay and Holly met at Ohio State University. Jay and Holly joined MTW’s church-planting work in East Germany in 2001. Their mission is to build a bridge between those who have never heard about Christ to the church. They focus on evangelism and reaching out into the community.
They have supported the work of two MTW church plants now under national leadership. Since 2005, Jay has been the team leader for MTW’s venture in southeastern Berlin.
Ranchito con Esperanza (Little Ranch with Hope) is a casa hogar (children’s shelter) licensed by the Mexican Government. The children they care for are rescued from situations of abuse, neglect or abandonment.
Ranchito con Esperanza gives these children safety, shelter, clothing, food, health care and an education, all in the context of a family home where they can grow up with their siblings. Children are taught with respect and love. They are given comfort and a place to heal from the pain that has brought them here. But most importantly, they are shown the love of God and how to be overcomers in HIM.
Tim Bentson – Serves under the MTW Ministries as a missionary in Osaka, Japan. Tim is studying and learning the Japanese language in addition to completing his Masters of Divinity and believes he is called to minister in Japan. Tim is working with Osaka Christ Church in their outreach ministry and teaches English as a second language.
Jeff and Abby Nelson – Serve under the SERGE Ministries umbrella ministering in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The Nelson’s have been called into mercy ministries in Guatemala. Dr. Jeff Nelson is a clinical psychologist providing therapeutic services to a number of pastors Guatemala and people in the community where they reside. Abby is a nurse practitioner working in a clinic providing medical services for many who lack medical help. The Nelson’s share their love for Christ in their work and believe God has called them to this very difficult work.
The DeWinkle family are serving as a pilot/mechanic family in Suriname, impacting lives by transporting missionaries, supplies, and individuals in need of medical evacuations. Peter supports the MAF program as a pilot and mechanic. Miriam serves as a homemaker and support for Peter, while taking care of their five children: Gideon, Moriah, Titus, Naomi and Susanna.
Peter was born in Modesto, California, to Dutch parents and was saved by grace around age five. His parents raised him in God’s Word and daily lived out their faith. When Peter was eight, he and his family moved to Idaho to start a farm. Working on mechanical projects around the farm and going on a mission trip to Mexico showed him he had a passion for serving others and propelled him into the exciting world of aviation. He believes mission aviation is the perfect fit for the gifts God has given him because he loves to help people, work with equipment, and share the gospel with others.
Miriam was also born in Modesto, California, to Dutch immigrant parents and came to truly know Jesus when she was five. She credits early growth in her faith to her parents’ strong walk and daily devotions along with their prayers for each one of their children. Miriam remembers her aunt, a Wycliffe translator stationed in Cameroon, telling of the incredible ways God was working! This sparked a passion in Miriam’s heart to share Jesus’ love with others. She has enjoyed many trips to Europe and especially enjoys engaging with people from other cultures.
Miriam wrote, “In 2007 I married Peter, who also shared a passion for reaching others with the love of Christ! It is with great joy that we serve God as a family. He has been continually gracious and faithful to us. We are very thankful!” Peter and Miriam look forward to seeing how God will use them for His glory.
Oregon, Warm Springs Reservation
Paul & Elizabeth Sanduleac, International Presbyterian Church, Moldova
Paul is a Teaching Elder with the International Presbyterian Church and is planting a church in Chișinău (the capital) Moldova. Paul is a graduate of Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi with a Master’s of Divinity. Paul is married to Elizabeth “Lizzy” and they have one son, Thomas.
Tommy Hannah – Western Washington University
Tommy is a Teaching Elder with the NW Presbytery called to minister under the RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) ministry ministering to the students on the campus of Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA. Tommy is a graduate of Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis, MO with a Master’s of Divinity.
Drew Burdette – Boise State University
For more information, contact Mike Barnes
Local Outreach
The Evergreen Deacons regularly assist the members of our community, seeking to relieve needs. The Evergreen congregation generously gives toward the support of those in need within the congregation and throughout the Portland metro. Evergreen works with her sister congregations in the Portland metro to serve in the name of Christ, believing that the gospel changes everything.
At the heart of Kindred Partners is a team of caring people, organizations, schools, and churches with a shared vision – a vision steeped with compassion for those in our community who are in crisis.
Kindred Partners serves to bring them all together to provide resources and assistance to those in need.
But it goes much deeper than a simple transaction. Why? Because people connecting with people is at the very core of our vision. And when that happens, lasting relationships have a chance to emerge and true community is born. Now that’s a vision we can all embrace!
First Image has been working to live out God’s heart to renew his image in the lives of those that have been impacted by sexual brokenness and abortion for over 30 years.
They believe that God’s people are at their best when they respond with compassion toward those who are vulnerable, voiceless, or misled. They believe God has called them to serve the women in our city facing unplanned pregnancies, the children they carry, students who are in desperate need of transformation in their relationships and sexuality, and men and women burdened by the pain of past abortion.
In the midst of issues as politicized as abortion and sexuality, they are convinced that in order to be a faithful witness of Christ in the world, they must be present with the people that are being impacted and love them.
Shared Hope International strives to prevent the conditions that foster sex trafficking, restore victims of sex slavery, and bring justice to vulnerable women and children. They envision a world passionately opposed to sex trafficking and a community committed to restoring survivors to lives of purpose, value and choice – one life at a time.
Church Planting
Evergreen Presbyterian has directly planted or supported four congregations in Oregon over our churches life that have grown to become independent and established churches within the PCA.
- Chehalem Valley Presbyterian Church – Newberg, Oregon
- Ascension Presbyterian Church – Hillsboro, Oregon
- Evergreen Salem – Salem, Oregon
- Eden Korean Presbyterian Church – Aloha, Oregon