In March of 2011, the Mission Committee at Oak Grove Presbyterian Church defined a goal to raise $50,000, in two years (by March 2013), to build a classroom /school, for girls, in Pakistan.

In September of 2011, the same Mission Committee identified a $7,000 goal to sponsor a local needy family, for a year. Half of the money ($3,500) would be raised by Oak Grove, and the other half matched by the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area.

Both are in progress.  

The Pakistan school project is called Schools for Peace, and Oak Grove is working with the Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan.

The Presbyterian Education Board (PEB)is an autonomous Board under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan. It's supported by the Presbyterian Church (USA) as well as other churches and organizations worldwide. Its purpose is to provide high quality education fully informed by, and rising out of, its Christian values and its Christian roots. The scope of the Board extends to primary and secondary schools, higher education and vocational, professional and technical training for children regardless of race or creed; to hostels for Christian children.  The Presbyterian Education Board exists to provide the human and financial resources necessary for educating children in mind, body and spirit within an environment that embodies the core values of self-discipline, integrity, tolerance and respect for others, and fairness and justice in all of our dealings. Veeda Javaid, Executive Director of the PEB, has twice visited Oak Grove; a mission trip is planned for November 2012 for Oak Grovers to visit PEB schools.

As of May 2012, Oak Grove has raised over $44,000.   Some of that total has come from the Mission Committee budget, other monies came from fundraisers such as a Harvest dinner in the fall and an envelope blitz in March of 2012 that raised over $9,000.

Oak Grove is also working with the Episcopal Community Services (ECS) for the sponsored family project.   Oak Grove will work with a family headed by a single mother. Working with ECS, we will assist the mother and her two children with a rental subsidy, as well as mentoring, support and warm friendship.   We are happy to say that we have raised sufficient funds to sponsor the family for a year! The majority of the money raised by Oak Grove was gained by selling 'bricks' - sponsorships for $60.

Episcopal Community Services (ECS) provides individualized, comprehensive services to individuals and low-income families working to gain stability in employment, housing and family life. With an emphasis on building positive relationships, ECS utilizes a continuum of services to help participants achieve economic independence and a healthy interdependence in their families and communities.

The generosity of the Oak Grove congregation is amazing!!