Our church's outreach to those in need in our community is called the "Backyard Mission Team." We started with a one-week immersion mission trip where, instead going to the other side of the world to serve, we went just down the hill to east San Pedro--a whole mile from the church. Now we have continued these connections to bring the love of Christ to our community.

Backyard Mission Week

On the Backyard Mission Trip, we spent a week connecting with the social service agencies and the people in need right in our own community.

• At SHAWL House, we joined together with the women there to work in the yard, then we made dinner for them and fellowshipped together.
• We spent two days at Toberman Neighborhood Center, moving and organizing their library, working with the disadvantaged kids in the summer program, and helping in the thrift shop.
• Over at Harbor Interfaith Services, we painted the emergency shelter, worked in the food pantry, and hosted a barbecue for the families in the shelter
• We also served sandwiches to people living on the streets and talked with them.

On-going Outreach

We continue to serve at Toberman Neighborhood Center and with Laundry Love, as well as outreach to people on the streets.

• At Toberman, we have organized "enrichment" activities for the after-school program, such as a regular drama class and an Easter Egg Hunt, and we serve dinner once month.
• We have worked with another church to start a Laundry Love outreach here in San Pedro, where we offer to pay for laundry and talk to those who come.
• Our Blessing Bags project provides a way for us to help those living on the streets, giving them small useful items, such as blankets or toothbrushes.

If you are interested in learning when these outreach events are happening, you can join our "Backyard Mailing List" by contacting Sue Speth.