We have lots of outreach opportunities right here in Central Indiana where people need to see God's love in action. Keep reading to see what tangible help we offer to our neighbors through our local outreach partners.
Str8Up is a ministry for teens living in Northwest Indianapolis. It is run by Jill and Aaron Wilson. Many teens in this area are exposed to challenging situations including: single-parent homes, abuse, neglect, prejudice, racism, violence, and drugs. The Wilsons are showing the love of Jesus and building life-changing relationships with kids who may feel like and are sometimes treated as “the least of these.” ZPC is inviting you to serve in these areas: Unskilled labor is welcome and there are also generally a few projects that can be tackled by a Home Group, family, or even 2-3 families working together. Visit str8uplikfe.org for more information about this ministry. For more information about getting involved contact: ZPC serves homeless children and their caregivers by being part of the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN), a local network of faith-based congregations that provides overnight shelter for homeless families. The program is run by Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis. Several times a year ZPC hosts up to fourteen homeless individuals. During the day, guests go to work or to the Family Promise Day Center in downtown Indianapolis, where they receive social services. Older children attend school. Between 5 pm and 6 am, guests return to ZPC, where we provide lodging, meals, and hospitality. Here are just some of the ways you can help: This is a volunteer opportunity for all ages. Please consider serving as an individual or with your family, friends, or Home Group. Questions? The Jeremiah House ministry is designed to assist men, who have graduated from the Wheeler Mission Hebron Addictions Recovery Program, and to integrate them into the ZPC church family while assisting them with housing, savings, and employment. ZPC mentors are assigned to each participant to assist them in integration and Christian growth. When men graduate from the Hebron Program, their biggest challenge is isolation. These men will have spent the past one-to-two years in an environment of strong Christian fellowship. They need to establish a new Christian fellowship and support structure outside Hebron Program. The Jeremiah House provides a transition from the highly-structured Hebron Program to being on their own. The Mission Commission, with the assistance of Wheeler Mission, provides oversight of the Jeremiah House Ministry. As ZPCers, we can help by welcoming the men living in the Jeremiah House into our community, encouraging the men to get involved in programs at ZPC such as a Bible study, Home Group, or the Great Banquet, and praying for the men and their mentors. > Linda Forler [317.402.9613] This ministry welcomes skilled workers and first-time nail-hammerers alike to help build new houses or rehab existing ones in Boone County. Habitat for Humanity’s mission is to partner with low-income, hardworking families under the conviction that every person and family deserves a simple, decent, and affordable place to live in safety and dignity. Some projects progress over several months and others are completed in a very short time. > Liz Qua [317.379.9434] Sort-Rip-Cut-Design-Sew-Iron-Tie-Knit-Crochet-Pray-Repeat! That's what the ladies of Loose Threads do each Thursday in Room 202 to help make a difference in our community. You are invited to help as we make quilts for the homeless and knitted or crocheted prayer shawls for the sick. Come for an hour or two or four! The group is always accepting your cast offs of 100% wool clothing or blankets, bolts of solid color fleece, skeins of soft yarn, and cash donations for their work. > Sue Armstrong [317.873.1625] Shepherd Community Center cultivates healthier children, stronger families, and a safer neighborhood through supportive relationships that meet the physical, emotional, academic, and spiritual needs of area residents. Shepherd is a faith-based, nonprofit organization established in 1985 with a simple but staggering goal: to break the cycle of poverty on the near east side of Indianapolis. > Dale Thomas [317-374-6876] Kairos Prison Ministry addresses the spiritual needs of incarcerated men, women, children, and their families, as well as those who work in the prison environment. Kairos is based on the Cursillo movement and is supported by volunteers from ministries such as Walk To Emmaus and Great Banquet. Many opportunities exist to serve in all of Indiana men's and women's adult prisons. > Jack Ellett [317.873.0059] New Creation Hispanic Church serves the growing Hispanic population on the west side of Indianapolis. The ministry reaches out through social services, dental assistance, a bilingual church, tutoring program, Christian camp, and Vacation Bible School. > Barry Sumner [317.873.1428] Wheeler provides Christ-centered programs and services to the homeless and those in need in the Indianapolis area through various programs and at their facility. > Fritz Breisch [317.590.2031]
> Greg Rankin [317.590.6334]
> Setting up guest bedrooms in the church
> Cooking and serving meals
> Playing with the children and helping them with homework
> Staying overnight with the families
> Driving guests in the Family Promise van to and from the day center
> Tearing down guest bedrooms
> Doing laundry
> Donating food items and supplies or making a financial donation
> Being a prayer warrior; sign up online to pray daily for our guests
> Most importantly, demonstrating Christ’s love
Contact one of our congregational coordinators:
> Libby Pollak [317.443.4507]
> Dave Stricker [317.409.2869]
> Valerie Polley [410.963.4782]