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From the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Epistle to the Romans

  8-28

The Ministries of First ARP: An Overview

Our Mission is: To Proclaim and Build Christ's Kingdom at First A. R. P. and equip First A. R. P. to proclaim and build Christ's Kingdom in the York/Chester neighborhood, Gastonia and surrounding areas, First Presbytery, A. R. P. Synod and globally.

The Ministries of First ARP: An Overview

"To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ" - Ephesians 4:12

Below is a list of some of the ministries at First A.R.P. Church. There are over 300 members actively involved in lay ministries. If you would like to find out more about a particular ministry or be involved in one of these ministries, please contact Nancy Peeler.

In-Reach Ministries
  • Barnabas Ministry- To mobilize lay ministers to visit, enjoy and encourage our folks who are recovering from an illness or the loss of a loved one.


  • Birthday Ministry- To write each person in our church a personal note on their birthday to let them know wee care and are praying and thinking of them. (Meets once a month to address birthday cards).


  • Bulletin- Meets every Friday afternoon to prepare bulletins.


  • Compassion Ministry- To express compassion to the members and active participants at First A.R. P. by writing notes, making telephone calls and personal visits.


  • Homebound Ministry- To visit the members of First A.R.P. who are homebound due to medical problems.


  • HOWE (Helpers on Wednesday Evenings)- helps setup and cleanup for Wed. Supper.


  • Knit One Pray One- Meets once a month to make prayer blankets/shawls.


  • Noon Prayer Lunch- Meets every Wed. @ 12 p.m. in Fellowship Hall (Sept.- May).


  • Tele-Care Ministry- To monthly communicate personal care by telephone to every member, prospect, and everyone who has recently attended First A.R.P. (Meets 3rd Monday each month).


  • Tape Ministry- To duplicate and deliver sermon tapes/CD’s.


  • Manna Ministry- To provide meals for members of the church when they are going through difficulties.


  • Music Ministry- To provide music for the worship services by using a variety of musical styles and musical instruments, providing opportunities for children, youth, and adults to lead the congregation in the worship of God.

    • Outreach Ministries
  • Nursing Home Ministry- To visit, pray for, and minister to people who have no one to visit them in area nursing homes.


  • Homeless Breakfast Ministry- To buy, cook, and serve breakfast and minister to the homeless at least once every other week at the Salvation Army for God’s glory.


  • Home Missions Ministry- For God’s glory to equip First A.R.P. for personal and passionate participation in making disciples specifically in America, by supporting various ministries and being involved in planting ARP churches in our country.


  • Foreign Missions Committee- For God’s glory to equip First A.R.P. for personal and passionate participation in evangelizing the spiritually lost, discipling new converts and churches, and in doing mercy to the poor around the world.


  • Neighborhood Ministry- To proclaim and build Christ’s Kingdom to the neighborhood bordered by Chester, Second, Vance and Garrison by practicing the principles of relocation, reconciliation and redistribution.


  • Potter’s House Ministry- To develop a weekly craft class through which the First ARP women offer friendship, encouragement, and fun to the residents involved in this Christ-centered rehabilitation program.


  • Prison Ministry- To lift up Jesus Christ and be used by God to reach unsaved men and women in prison by presenting God’s love through His plan of salvation and by distributing Bibles.


  • Operation Christmas Child- A ministry to the poor and needy in other parts of the world by working with Samaritan’s Purse.


  • Gaston County School Mentoring- To mobilize volunteers to serve at public schools as mentors and encouragers to children in need. Contact Nancy Peeler (link to her email).


  • Salvation Army- Prepares breakfast at the main branch.


  • Service Committee- To direct and assist the congregation in its ministry to people in need in our congregation and in the community.


  • Visitation Ministry- To make personal contact with all visitors that they may be assimilated into the First ARP community of believers.

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