First Presbyterian Church of McAllen, Texas
A Congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
Living Out God's Call to Joy & Justice
Missions
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Border Agencies
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Puentes de Cristo (Bridges of Christ) was established in 1981 with the help of this congregation. A sample project was the six-month dental assistant program in Reynosa, taught by two doctors from our church and a third doctor from Reynosa. Our church helped purchase supplies and equipment. Fourteen students graduated, and seven continued their studies at the University of Reynosa. Read about current projects by visiting the Puentes website.
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Su Casa de Esperanza (Your House of Hope) was established with the help of our church in 1983 to provide an early childhood development program in the Las Milpas area, south of Pharr, Texas. A second center was added in Progreso, Texas in 2000. For many years, church volunteers helped to provide services. Now a 501c(3) organization, Su Casa still serves the families of these communities. Our congregation continues to share with them the joy of Christmas through an annual Angel Tree gift project.
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CUPS (Communidades Unidas Pro Salud) was founded in 1989 with the help of members of our congregation to serve the poor living in small communities in northeastern Mexico. For many years volunteer teams constructed housing and built water-delivery systems, health clinics, school classrooms, kitchens and libraries. Funding came from our church and other Presbyterian churches and the public. An ongoing CUPS ministry is the delivery of school and medical supplies and mobility devices. Our church is a drop off location for churches and individuals with supplies to donate.​
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Host Site
Church and college groups coming to the Rio Grande Valley to volunteer with Catholic Charities' Humanitarian Respite Center, disaster assistance, or other border ministries can check with our church office or Presbyterian Disaster Assistance at 800-728-7228 ext 5839 to inquire about housing in the church during their stay.
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Church volunteers and friends participate in this program to feed the homeless. In 2015, Emily was a five-year-old when she asked her dad about the man standing on the corner who seemingly had nowhere to go. Prompted by Emily’s question, her family decided to provide meals to the homeless during Lent. The program has expanded into a year-round mission that includes other families, churches and interested persons.
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Since 2022, our church is blessed to house the McAllen location of the Children's Bereavement Center of the RGV. Professional counselors provide free services in a caring environment that helps children and teens successfully overcome the grief associated with the death of a loved one. Services include peer support groups, individual & family counseling sessions, and grief camps. To begin the healing process, call 956-368-4065.​
Financial Support
In a typical year, the First Presbyterian Church of McAllen's benevolence fund has gone to:
Lynn Flowers Preschool
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From 1948 until 2022, the Lynn Flowers Preschool housed at First Presbyterian Church provided thousands of local children with their first educational experience. The preschool offered classes four mornings a week for two, three, and four year old children. The school philosophy was to foster the development of each child in relationship to their world through physical, spiritual, social, and mental growth.