Presbyterian Mission Agency first presbyterian church mt. pleasant iowa Archives

Inspired by Matthew 25, Iowa PC(USA) church focuses on its community

Posted December 10th, 2023

When leaders at First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Pleasant first heard about the Matthew 25 initiative, they thought it was “a good challenge” to think about how their faith guides them to serve their community. The church has engaged in outreach to people who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, who have immigrated to the United States and their community, and many others in this small Midwestern town. We caught up with the church as it was celebrating its embrace of the Matthew 25 initiative to hear how it has impacted it as a faith community and individuals.

Inspired by Matthew 25, Iowa PC(USA) church focuses on its community

Posted November 16th, 2023

When leaders at First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Pleasant first heard about the Matthew 25 initiative, they thought it was “a good challenge” to think about how their faith guides them to serve their community.

Iowa congregation sees its Matthew 25 future as remaining ‘faithful to the covenant’

Posted June 26th, 2023

When she sat for a recent interview, the Rev. Sarah Hegar, who directs congregational ministries at First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, was still basking in the glow of having welcomed six confirmands into membership the previous weekend. They got there in part by studying Matthew 25 confirmation materials that asked the youth: How do you change the world?

Presbyterian congregation in Iowa explains how forays into the community fit with its Matthew 25 focus

Posted June 26th, 2023

“Our church’s commitment to Matthew 25 is important to us,” says Ashlynn Beauchamp, a 15-year-old member of First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. “It gives us the opportunity not just to better ourselves and follow Jesus, but to branch out and work in the world to improve others’ lives, not just our own.”

Iowa congregation sees its Matthew 25 future as remaining ‘faithful to the covenant’

Posted May 5th, 2023

When she sat for an interview this week, the Rev. Sarah Hegar, who directs congregational ministries at First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, was still basking in the glow of having welcomed six confirmands into membership the previous weekend.

Presbyterian congregation in Iowa explains how forays into the community fit with its Matthew 25 focus

Posted May 4th, 2023

“Our church’s commitment to Matthew 25 is important to us,” says Ashlynn Beauchamp, a 15-year-old member of First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. “It gives us the opportunity not just to better ourselves and follow Jesus, but to branch out and work in the world to improve others’ lives, not just our own.”

Presbyterian congregation joins with its neighbor, a prison, to live out its Matthew 25 calling

Posted May 3rd, 2023

Marcy Stroud, the warden at the minimum-security Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility, remembers very well the day she received a cold call from the Rev. Trey Hegar, pastor of First Presbyterian Church.

PC(USA) congregation and partners work to build a home for all God’s creatures

Posted May 2nd, 2023

Henry County, the home of First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, lacks an animal shelter — but not for long.

First Presbyterian Church’s Matthew 25 celebration includes community partners

Posted May 1st, 2023

First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, gathered Sunday first to worship God and celebrate the many ways the congregation is following Jesus in the Matthew 25 movement. Afterward — following a thrilling Bach postlude on the church’s pipe organ by high schooler Ethan Sexauer — worshipers continued the celebration with a mission fair in fellowship hall.

First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, is helping to ensure that IowaWINS

Posted April 29th, 2023

A day ahead of celebrating the varied facets of its Matthew 25 work, First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, on Saturday shared some of the key people in both the congregation and the community to discuss their work and future plans with Presbyterian News Service.