The witness of our faith is expressed through our commitment to on-going mission endeavors made possible through our Benevolent gifts as well as our commitments of volunteer time and energy on behalf of our mission partners.

CUE SEMINARY SUPPORT
Each local congregation is challenged to support our regional UCC seminaries in order to assist these institutions in helping train women and men to serve as pastors within our churches. Our giving provides support for student aid, special educational opportunities, teaching staff, as well as support staff ministries. C is Chicago Theological Seminary, U is United Theological Seminary in Minneapolis, MN, and E is Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO.

CROSSROAD/FT. WAYNE CHILDREN'S HOME
This is a treatment facility located in Ft. Wayne, In. for "troubled" youth referred primarily by the court system. They provide an "in-house" school, and "in-house" diagnostic treatment facility, and skills needed to adjust to normal living patterns as they progress toward release. Many children come to this safe haven from abusive situations.

PEACE UCC AND UNION UCC
These two sister UCC congregations are a part of our mission support as they seek to grow in witness to their communities. Peace UCC is located in Merrillville, In. while Union UCC is a multi-racial congregation located in Valparaiso, In.

ELMHURST COLLEGE
This UCC-related college in Elmhurst, IL. is a liberal arts college which has had a tradition of providing a unique educational experience for its students.

CONTACT CARES
This ecumenical ministry based in the Northwestern Indiana counties responds to the need for human contact through a Crisis Telephone line, a Teen to Teen line, a Contacting Kids At Home ministry through local schools, and a "friendly" calling ministry to elderly and shut-in members of these local communities.

MEALS ON WHEELS
Meals on Wheels provides a means for many homebound and elderly persons to receive well-balanced and healthy meals on a daily basis. This local ministry brings persons together as well through contact with those who minister by delivering these prepared meals.

CRISIS CENTER
This agency located in Gary serves the Lake County and surrounding area in many ways. Rap-Line, a telephone line, assists many in need of talking to someone about a problem. Alternative House provides a place for run-away children as well as those told not to return home to reside for a period of time. "In-house" educational and counseling opportunities are also a part of this ministry.

LAKE COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR THE RETARDED
This country agency provides services for retarded citizen's needs such as housing, job skills and training, as well as work opportunities. Educational and social skills are also a priority of this ministry.

EMMAUS HOMES
These homes based in Missouri are also for developmentally disabled adults. Sheltered Workshop ministries as well as emotional and spiritual support are special facets of this UCC-related institution.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
This ministry strives to provide decent housing for all people, whether rehabbing existing housing or building new with the aid of volunteers who do construction. Many homes have been constructed in our Lake County area but teams of congregational volunteers have also worked on projects in Georgia while Youth Group members have worked in Michigan.

HEARTS IN MOTION
An ecumenical agency that provides the transportation and supportive medical services to help children from developing countries to receive treatment for illness or injury.

CANDLELIGHTERS
A local chapter of this organization helps support families who have children dealing with the emotional, physical, and spiritual trauma of cancer. Financial help for treatment, equipment, camp, and "special wishes" are a ministry of this support system.

THE SAMARITAN COUNSELING CENTER
A local branch of this National faith-based counseling service has its main office in Munster, In. with satellite offices in other local communities. Our church has an office that currently host clients on Tuesdays.

HEIFER PROJECT INTERNATIONAL
This agency provides the resources for families in developing nations to earn their own living through gifts of livestock, etc. which then can produce more animals for other community members to become self-sustaining. Our Sunday School recently completed a "Gift Ark" which represents a variety of animals to be given to a number of needy communities. $5,000.00 is needed to complete such a project.

PAPER AND ALUMINUM CAN RECYCLING
Located on our Church property is a special bin to collect newspaper, etc. for recycling purposes as well as a small shed to collect aluminum cans. The income generated from these endeavors helps our Christian Concerns committee to offer food gift certificates to needy families four times annually as well as donate funds for our Crown Point Community Cupboard, our Crown Point local Food Pantry hosted by First Christian Church.