First Presbyterian Church of Lake Charles has always had a commitment to evangelism and mission. Early in the church’s history, the congregation supported a ministry to French-speaking people in Calcasieu Parish. Today the church rejoices as the congregation begins to reflect more of the diversity of the Lake Charles community.

The congregation has enjoyed strengthening ties with other Lake Area churches.

We are one of the founding members of the Oak Park Covenant Churches. Since 1988, we have been one of several congregations that sustain and contribute to the Oak Park Food Pantry. Some of our members and our pastor help to work in the Pantry.

We have sponsored multigenerational mission trips to Cameron Parish, Mexico, West Texas, and Oklahoma. For several years we have cherished a sister church relationship with the “Dora E. Valentin” Reformed Presbyterian Church of Varadero, Cuba. We have also sent groups down to visit that congregation, do work on mission projects there, and enjoy worship and Bible study with the members.

Since Hurricane Rita devastated Southwest Louisiana in September 2005, First Presbyterian Church has also taken part in relief and recovery ministries. A dispensary offering canned and dry food, water, baby supplies, and more was opened in two of our classrooms as people began to return to the community. Renovations to some parts of the building have helped us to host work groups. People have come from Arizona, Georgia, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, Wisconsin, and other places to help Rita’s victims repair and rebuild their houses. Hurricane Ike undid the recovery of the area south of Lake Charles, and First Presbyterian Church, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, and “Project Homecoming” of the Presbytery of South Louisiana are still in partnership to host groups that want to come and help.