Missions
and Outreach

The GOAL of the Missions Committee is to make University a missions minded Church by instilling within the members an enthusiastic approach for fulfilling the Great Commission which directs us to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And I am with you always to the end of the age.” (Matt 28:19-20).

The PURPOSE of the committee is to determine the times, the places, the opportunities, and methods for the Church to use the talents, resources and personnel with which it has been blessed.

The VISION of the committee is to expand the church’s mission outreach and to build upon the opportunities for supporting mission efforts in 'a lost and broken world'. Plans are to continue to develop relationships in Latin America which will encourage church members to become involved in the physical, emotional, and financial support of missionaries in an area within reach of the University Church. 

Crete, Greece

Each summer, our youth group takes a trip to Anahuac, Chihuahua, Mexico and spends a week at a children's orphanage called Casa de la Esperanza (A House of Hope) to spend time with the children as well as bring financial resources toward the sponsorship of needed physical improvements at Casa. Contact our Youth Minister, Brian Petree, if you have questions on how to support this cause.

Brother’s Keepers:
Brother’s Keepers is a group that calls to check on our family members who have been absent from services more than three weeks. Our goal is to not let anyone “slip through a crack” and disappear from the family of God, so these phone calls are our way to follow up on those who have been missing in hopes of discovering how we can better assist, serve, or encourage them.

Fall Food Round-Up:
Each Thanksgiving the entire congregation joins together to show God’s Love by reaching out to the community. University provides a week of groceries and what families would need for a Thanksgiving meal. This outreach is wonderful for families with children. University’s hope is that this activity will help plant the seed of community outreach and missions to families involved.

First Responders Appreciation:
Each year in June, University has the privilege of serving those who serve our community every day. Through our First Responders Appreciation Meal Ministry, members of our congregation come together to cook, prepare, package, and provide hot meals for local first responders as a simple but meaningful way to say thank you.
This annual ministry is an opportunity for us to show appreciation to the men and women who faithfully protect, serve, and respond in times of need. Local agencies such as the Shreveport Police Department, Shreveport Fire Department, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, and other first responder organizations are invited to stop by, pick up a freshly prepared meal to go, and be reminded that their work does not go unnoticed.
Our first responders often face long hours, difficult situations, and personal sacrifice as they care for the safety and well-being of our community. While a meal may seem like a small gesture, we believe acts of service can communicate love, gratitude, encouragement, and respect in a powerful way.
This ministry also gives our church family a chance to serve together with a shared purpose. From cooking and packaging meals to greeting responders with a smile, every part of the day is done with thankfulness and love. It is one way we seek to be a blessing beyond the walls of our building and to reflect the heart of Christ in our community.
We are grateful for the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of our local first responders, and it is our honor to serve them.

Change A Kid's Christmas:
Change a Kid’s Christmas is a seasonal outreach that turns small acts of generosity into lasting joy for local families. Over the course of several months, our congregation collects donated loose change.
 As Christmas approaches, volunteers count and cash in every coin. Then  our youth ministry heads out with carefully prepared lists to shop specifically for children in need. Each gift is chosen with intention, wrapped with care, and ultimately given to parents so they can experience the joy and dignity of placing gifts under the tree for their own children.
 The celebration doesn’t stop there. Families are welcomed to an day filled with a warm meal, games, laughter, and door prizes! This is a time for them to feel seen, valued, and surrounded by community during the Christmas season.
 Change a Kid’s Christmas is more than a gift drive. It is a reminder that generosity does not depend on the size of the gift, but on the heart behind it. Through simple faithfulness and collective compassion, we have the privilege of helping create meaningful Christmas memories for children and families in our community one coin, one gift, and one act of love at a time.