Serve
Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
—John 12:26
Our commitment to service is driven by the Spirit and deeply rooted in our identity as a Matthew 25 church.
We are dedicated to following Christ’s call to serve others, reflecting this commitment across generations within our congregation.
As we seek to discern where God is leading us next, we remain open to evolving our missions, always asking, “What else do we need to do?”
Our approach is hands-on and responsive—when we see a need, we act. Whether it’s organizing drives for school supplies, supporting the local animal shelter, or addressing other pressing needs in our community, we are ready to serve with compassion and purpose.
Edmarc
In the early 1970s, two members of Suffolk Presbyterian Church, Pastor Ed Page and preschooler Marcus Hogg, were diagnosed with terminal illnesses. Discovering the lack of services available for children, the congregation took steps which led to the establishment of Edmarc, the first hospice in the nation geared specifically for children.
Using a grant from the Small Church Task Force of the Presbyterian Church, a steering committee of 11 Suffolk Presbyterian members conducted a needs survey of families in the Western Tidewater area. The survey showed both that the need for services was great and that those needs were not limited to families with terminally or chronically ill children but extended to families with developmentally challenged children. Allying with the national hospice movement then in its early stages, in November 1978 Edmarc Hospice for Children, Inc. was established.
Although begun in Suffolk Presbyterian Church, Edmarc’s work rapidly came to involve the entire community as directors and volunteers. Learn more about Edmarc and its founding story.
Food Pantries
SPC Food Pantry
The SPC Food Pantry collects food and personal supplies for distribution to Suffolk Christian Fellowship Center. Volunteers from the Compassionate Outreach Ministry Team manage the pantry stock and distribute the food to our clients. We are grateful to our brothers and sisters of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church who generously contribute to this mission project.
Suffolk Free Little Pantry
The Youth at Suffolk Presbyterian Church, in partnership with youth from Saint Paul's Episcopal and Main Street UMC, have established a Free Little Pantry in the downtown area. Housed in a little library structure, the pantry offers free snack items to those in need, reflecting our commitment to community service and ecumenical collaboration.
Living Waters for the World
Beginning in 2006 Suffolk Presbyterian Church has been active in the Living Waters for the World (LWW) clean water project. To date, SPC has installed two clean water systems in the village of Estancia de la Virgen, El Progresso, Guatemala. The first system was developed in Nov 2008 in partnership with our sister church “Nuevo Jerusalem” Presbyteriano Evangalico. The second system system was established in partnership with the village elementary and middle school and serves 400 children with clean water.
The LWW Mission team made an inspection visit to Estancia in September of 2012 and visited new potential sites in the area. Plans for another installation are ongoing.
Newborns In Need
Newborns In Need (NIN) is an organization to help the new mothers and needy babies born here in South Hampton Roads. Suffolk Presbyterian Church is in contact with the chapter to contribute time, energy, and resources. Items donated can be either handmade or purchased and provide essentials to new moms and newborn babies. Just recently we were made aware that the NIN chapter accepts strollers and baby furniture that’s used but still in good condition. These are stored until there is a new mother that needs something.
Scholarship Program
This year, The Scholarship Committee of Suffolk Presbyterian Church USA awarded four Willis-Volper Scholarships.
Completed applications and all requested information are to be addressed and mailed to Suffolk Presbyterian Church, Scholarship Committee, 105 Saint James Ave., Suffolk, VA 23434. They must be postmarked no later than midnight on the last business day in March.
2024 Scholarship InformationThis year, The Scholarship Committee of Suffolk Presbyterian Church USA welcomes
applicants the opportunity to be awarded one of four Willis-Volper Scholarships. The scholarship cover letter and application are now available to download:
2024 Willis-Volper Scholarship Cover Letter
2024 Willis-Volper Scholarship Application
