"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." - 2 Corinthians 5:20

Parkwood Church is very involved in local, national and international mission activities. The congregation actively participates in a variety of mission work trips and partnerships with mission opportunities for all ages. Our mission activities range from just down the road to across the globe.

Parkwood supports many agencies...

For more than 130 years Mars Home for Youth (MHY) has been evolving to meet the needs of at-risk youth and families. Today, MHY is committed to providing a  sanctuary to help youth (ages 11-18) heal and cope with psychological and social traumatic experiences. Through the implementation of Sanctuary Model for Trauma Informed Organizations, MHY provides a safe and connected community for clients and staff to actively engage in treatment and programming that encourage healthy recovery, healing and growth for clients.

 
Mission: Building hope and understanding through faith-based counseling and support services for youth, adults, couples, and families in our communities. The North Hills Youth Ministry Counseling Center is a non-denominational community service organization that provides family, marital, individual and group counseling, along with preventive, educational and advocacy services.

Young Life doesn't start with a program. It starts with adults who are concerned enough about kids to go to them, on their turf and in their culture, building bridges of authentic friendship. These relationships don't happen overnight — they take time, patience, trust and consistency. So Young Life leaders log many hours with kids — where they are, as they are. We listen to their stories and learn what's important to them because we genuinely care about their joys, triumphs, heartaches and setbacks. We believe in the power of presence. Kids' lives are dramatically impacted when caring adults come alongside them, sharing God's love with them. Because their Young Life leader believes in them, they begin to see that their lives have great worth, meaning and purpose. This is the first step of a lifelong journey; the choices they make today, based upon God's love for them, will impact future decisions … careers chosen, marriages formed and families raised. All ripples from the time when a Young Life leader took time to reach out and enter their world.

Crestfield is the camp and conference center for Pittsburgh Presbytery.  While serving over 155 Presbyterian churches in Allegheny County, Crestfield welcomes user groups of other Presbyteries as well as those groups who who serve other denominations and organizations. 

Mission Statement: "Crestfield is called by God to partner with churches and communities to nurture all people in Christ through discipling, outreach, sanctuary and hospitality so that they may participate more fully in what God is doing in the world."
 

The Bread of Life Food Pantry is located at Calvert Memorial Presbyterian Church (94 Locust Street Pittsburgh, PA 15223) and serves families from Etna and nearby communities.

Parkwood provids continuing support through a variety of hands-on activities, including: refurbishing the Food Pantry, providing monthly contribution of food items and funding, working hand-in-hand with the Calvert congregation to organize and distribute supplies.

Camp High Hopes - Since 1972 Camp High Hopes has provided structured recreational and social activities for campers with mental and physical disabilities. The camp follows an approved individualized emotional support program that helps each camper maintain peer interaction.  Activities include: crafts, outdoor play, games, music, listening activities, swimming twice a week and field trips.  Sponsored by the North Hills YMCA. The camp for developmenally disabled children is held at the Marshall Elementary School in the North Allegheny School District. They accept all disabilities. Click here for more information.  

Our youth travel each summer to a church summer camp and do a week-long service projects. Recent trips include: Bay City, Michigan.

Adults travel annually to South Carolina and repair homes for the Charleston United Methodist Relief Center.

During the summer of 2009, we traveled to Wallace, West Virginia for a week-long mission project repairing homes.

We have formed a partnership with St. James Church, a congregation of the Synod of Blantyre, Malawi, in southern Africa. The congregations pledged themselves to each other in a partnership of equals in which Jesus Christ is the “third strand” who binds us together. The partnership includes annual exchange visits, correspondence between churches and congregations members, and participation in mutual mission projects.

In the past, we have also traveled to Haiti, helping to improve the quality of life in the Mombin Crochu area. We worked with the local Haitians to develop clean, safe drinking water at several natural spring locations in the mountainous village area.

Parkwood believes in sharing the good gifts we’ve been given. If you are interested in helping others, then we have a mission opportunity for you. Please contact the Chairperson of our Mission and Community Outreach Committee, Harry Sarver.