mission Partners

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."  

- Matthew 28:19


Mission is the core identity of every Christian and every church; it’s the purpose of the church and not a program of the church.  Currently, the reach of SMCC’s God-given creativity, imagination, time, talent, and resources extends from the San Gabriel Valley, across the nation and beyond, to global strategic partners on four continents.  The goal of the Mission Team is to fully engage all of the church’s resources to demonstrate Christ’s love for the world. 


Mission Goals

  •         Elevate our church’s awareness of the biblical basis for missions and the importance of reaching out to those less fortunate
  •         Find pathways of opportunity through which our members can invest their capacities in God’s mission
  •         Be faithful stewards in the allocation of the annual mission budget funds


2023 MISSION PARTNERS

We commit to on-going support of the following faith-based organizations, both locally and globally, through an allocation from the SMCC annual budget. 

  • Resotring hope - India

    In every Indian rural village, there are orphaned and vulnerable children who are at risk of child labor, trafficking or child marriage. Restoring Hope provides a chance for children to grow and attain a life filled with faith and love, wholeness, and dignity as well as education – helping the entire village overcome the cycle of poverty. Restoring Hope creates an atmosphere of love and belonging in a family setting, where orphaned and abandoned children receive care and nurturing by a biological family member with the support of the local church community. Holistic restoration of children who have experienced tragedy is the mission of Restoring Hope. 


    Learn more at their website. 

  • Dr. F.S.

    Dr. F.S. mentors and trains believers who come to Christianity from a Muslim background. With a PhD in Islamic Studies from a prominent seminary in the U.S., Dr. F.S. equips her students to spread the Gospel as pastors and lay leaders in the Church. There are now over 10,000 converts from Islam to Christianity in France and over 100,000 in Algeria where Dr. F.S. is recognized as the “mother figure” of the Church. Often meeting in underground fellowships and non-traditional settings, Dr. F.S.’s teaching is centered on providing biblical training to these new leaders, and addressing the significant cultural and social challenges former Muslims encounter as they become Christians.  


    Contact: SMCC Mission Outreach Team. 

  • Evangelical theological seminary of cairo

    Founded in 1863, the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo (ETSC), is an Arabic language Presbyterian Seminary that serves students from a number of countries. The seminary offers masters degrees in Theology and Leadership as well as a Masters in Divinity (MDiv). In addition, the seminary offers certificate programs intended for church lay leaders and is actively working on developing a doctoral program. ETSC offers in person and online instruction and their online programs have increased the number of women studying at the seminary. San Marino Community Church supports the work of the seminary and its faculty as they shape the future leaders of the church in Egypt and the Arabic-speaking world.  


    Contact: SMCC Mission Outreach Team 

  • friends in deed

    FID is an interfaith community assisting homeless and low-income families in Pasadena for 125 years, providing:

    • The Bad Weather Shelter: in winter offers emergency overnight shelter and hot meals.
    • The Food Pantry: like a grocery store, clients can choose healthy food, including fresh produce and meat. 
    • The Women’s Room: a day shelter, with showers, laundry facilities, food, and case-management services.
    • Homeless Prevention Services: guidance and financial assistance for folks facing eviction.
    • Street Outreach: working with chronically homeless individuals providing permanent, supportive housing.

    Learn more at: FriendsInDeedPas.org


    Stay tuned for various opportunities such Back Pack Drive or Food Drives throughout the year.  

     

  • Icthus International

    Many children living in the poor barrios of Latin America remain unreached by the church.  They are missing the opportunity to receive guidance on Christian values and beliefs.  ICTHUS is a  Christian organization focused in Central and South America.  Through ICTHUS, young people (ages 4-17) are prepared for service and leadership through programs delivered by pastors and lay leaders of local churches. The goal is to help them become eventual leaders in their communities. ICTHUS ministry endeavors to develop Christian character through weekly meetings and activities like summer camp and service projects while emphasizing God – Neighbor - Self.  The Biblical core of ICTHUS is Matthew 22:37. ICTHUS kids learn about God & His love, become Christian citizens & good Samaritans while building strong living habits & life skills. 


    Learn more at: IcthusKids.org

  • Ministry of Hope

    Ministry of Hope works in Malawi, Africa, one of the poorest nations on earth, to provide hope and a future for orphans and vulnerable children in rural villages. Through a community based care program, over 6,000 children receive physical and spiritual nourishment. Educational scholarships provide tools to escape the cycle of poverty, strengthening the country’s infrastructure. Medical care reaches whole regions through a mobile medical clinic. MoH also sponsors village savings & loan programs to economically strengthen whole communities. A crisis nursery rescues orphaned and abandoned babies. SMCC has partnered with MoH since 2004 and is one of its largest supporters. MoH is active in PC(USA)’s Malawi Mission Network.  


    Learn more at: MinistryOfHope.org


  • My refuge House

    My Refuge House (MRH) is a place where every person’s story is worthy of hope, love, and transformation. Faithfully focused on “Restoring One Life At A Time”, MRH journeys with survivors, families, and communities in Cebu, Philippines that are impacted by commercial sexual exploitation (CSE), online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC), and sexual abuse. Beginning in 2008 as a therapeutic residential home, MRH currently provides comprehensive care for up to 18 survivors ages 9-21. Accredited in the Philippines through the Department of Social Welfare and Development, MRH has grown through the years to focus on three areas of impact: Prevention- Restoration-Reintegration.  


    Learn more at: myrefugehouse.org

  • Presbyterian chaplaincy at LAC+USC Med. Center

    As the only Presbyterian Chaplain on staff at LAC+USC Medical Center (one of the largest public hospitals in the United States) Rev. Gibbs Zehnder provides direct emotional and spiritual support to patients, families, and staff in time of crisis and life changes. Nowhere has COVID-19 impacted our world more drastically than in our hospitals and Rev. Elizabeth Gibbs Zehnder’s presence at LAC+USC has never been more crucial. 


    LAC+USC Medical Center provides opportunities for SMCC members to serve these important ministries through a legacy of caring. Opportunities include lifting up the ministry in prayer; financial support; “Acts of Kindness” – creating hand-made blankets for distribution in December; and donating Hygiene (Love) Kits. Rev. Elizabeth Gibbs Zehnder is a critical partner in sharing the love of Jesus Christ with the most vulnerable of our neighbors.


    Contact: Elizabeth.Gibbszehnder@gmail.com

  • presbyterian disaster ASSISTANCE

    Presbyterian Disaster Assistance enables congregations and mission partners of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to witness to the healing love of Christ through caring for communities adversely affected by catastrophic events. Please join us in supporting Presbyterian Disaster Assistance online.  If you'd rather give a check to SMCC, please include "PDA" in the memo line. 


    Learn more at: pda.pcusa.org.

  • Presbyterian Mission Agency

    From their home base in Manila Philippines, the Rev. Cathy Chang, Regional Facilitator for Addressing Migration and Human Trafficking, and her husband, Juan Lopez, help global partners address issues of forced migration and human trafficking in South and Southeast Asia.

    Presbyterian Mission Agency sponsors and supports Cathy as she works with Asian churches and non-governmental organizations to help coordinate efforts related to the “scourge of modern-day slavery”. Cathy travels throughout Asia as the “theologian-in-residence”, connecting resources and relationships with those providing direct services to victims. Her advocacy benefits victims through direct intervention in cases or by changing laws and policies that benefit the rights and welfare of migrants.


    During the pandemic, Cathy and her family remained sheltered in place at their home in the Philippines. She continues her work through online media and as the pandemic protocols in the Philippines relaxes, she is able to go about her ministry in person.


    Learn more at: Presbyterianmission.org

    Contact: cathy.chang@pcusa.org