In 2019, at the recommendation of the session and the approval of the congregation, together we affirmed our commitment to ensuring that “PHPC reflects the love of Jesus Christ in Dallas and beyond.” This goal was created through a process of congregational discernment where the work of alleviating and eliminating poverty was overwhelmingly identified as a priority.
We aim to reach this goal by:
• PHPC is a catalyst for hope and justice for those living on the margins.
• PHPC is a strategic partner in breaking the cycle of poverty in Dallas
• PHPC ensures the voices of those long silenced are named, heard, and valued
• PHPC's investment in Dallas is a priority and includes expertise, time, and money
• PHPC members and families grow in faith through supporting the dignity of their mission partners
As we strive to not only alleviate but also eliminate poverty in Dallas and beyond, we recognize how poverty is complex and multi-dimensional. Each of our mission teams, mission partners, and mission initiatives allow PHPC to love our neighbors through ensuring individual basic needs are met, children are nurtured, families are supported, and whole communities are strengthened.
PHPC’s Mission & Outreach ministry involves 5 impact areas:
Each Impact Area is comprised of external outreach partners and projects developed within the PHPC community.
Whether it was to touch the wounds of the lepers or offer living water to the Samaritan woman at the well, Jesus frequently traveled to places and people outside of the centers of economic, political, social, and even religious power.
At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus announces:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19).
As people called and sent by God, empowered by the Spirit, we seek to continue Jesus’ ministry with and for individuals and communities whose fullness of life and inclusion has yet to be realized. We often use terms like “the margins,” “the oppressed,” and “the poor” to name the reality of inequality and inequities in our world.
Our mission is to join God and these communities in proclaiming and upholding the dignity and humanity of all God’s people through the transformation of our own lives and communities to be more reflective of God’s shalom.
The Gospel of Luke tells us a story of Jesus witnessing a poor widow giving two small copper coins into the temple treasury. Moved by this small gesture, Jesus exclaims to those who are listening that “she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on” (Lk. 21:4). The widow’s offering of two small coins was an extraordinary act of faith. This story reminds us that we were created to be generous. Regardless of our own financial circumstances, we always have something of ourselves to offer God and to one another.
Our Every Dollar Counts (EDC) Offering designates the single dollar bills and coins that are given to PHPC throughout each month to a selected ministry partner whose mission make a tangible impact in the lives of those they serve.
Mission & Outreach Council grants are by invitation only. Organizations interested in applying for Mission Council funding are welcome to submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) to grants@phpc.org.
The Council prioritizes invitations to organizations whose work aligns with funding priorities, commitments, and Impact Areas, specifically organizations whose primary mission serves marginalized and underserved communities with an ultimate goal of eliminating poverty, reducing barriers, and building inclusion.