Changing the World

At St. John's, we commit ourselves to an Entrepreneurial Spirit. When people are free to perceive, obey and implement the vision that God places in their lives, we can change the world.

Giving to Christ at Christmas

Each Christmas we invite followers of Jesus associated with St. John’s Church to give the most generous, one-time cash gift we can—above and beyond our normal giving, as we would any Christmas gift—to fund the twin heartbeats of our Lord: evangelistic witness and relief of human suffering, locally, nationally and internationally. Christmas is Jesus' birthday so we give the biggest present to him! To date, $82,887 has been given to change the world through these intitiatives!

2024: $4,830 to Oasis Social Ministry

These funds will be used to support the ministry of Oasis' Food Pantry as it assists those in our community experiencing food insecurity.

2023: $8,204 to the Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza

The inspirational medical team and staff at Ahli Arab Hospital works tirelessly for the sick, injured, and others in need. The stress on these brave individuals and the hospital facility is incomprehensible, and their resilience in fulfilling their mission of healing is exemplary as one of the only hospitals continuing to function in the war zone of Gaza. This hospital is a ministry of the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East.

2022: $1,900 to the Joel Nafuma Refugee Center

The Joel Nafuma Refugee Center at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Rome used these funds to care for Ukranian refugee families throughout Europe who are escaping from the horrors of the war with Russia.

2021: $2,006 to Mercy Chefs

Mercy Chefs, a Portsmouth ministry headquartered just down Washington Street from St. John's church, was one of the first on-site ministries in Kentucky after the destruction of December tornadoes. Funds were used to feed victims and first responders.

2020: $6,670 to Portsmouth Volunteers for the Homeless

The COVID-19 Pandemic caused immense challenges for this agency that coordinates with local churches to house our homeless neighbors. These funds were used to support an extended homeless ministry in a single location throughout the Pandemic.

2019: $5,600 to Eliminate Student Lunch Debt

The poverty present in our community is clearly evidenced by the over $19,000 in school lunch debt incurred in Portsmouth Public Schools by December 2019. These funds were used to clear the debt of the youngest children who were most in need.

2018: $3,015 to Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem

This donation supported Diocesan schools, hospitals, and centers for children with disabilities and the ministry of dedicated Christian leaders, teachers, and health professionals as they serve some of the most vulnerable people on the planet.

2017: $9,598 to Holiday House of Portsmouth

Holiday House of Portsmouth was incorporated in 1982 and is an intermediate care facility for intellectually disabled children, ages 4-21. They are licensed by the commonwealth of Virginia and provide services to 26 children and their families. Though they receive funds from Medicaid and Medicare, these funds fall far short of needs. 100% of donations go to services. When children “age out” they are transitioned to group homes or institutions. They welcome volunteers as well as financial assistance.

2016: $5,763 to the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

The National Association is the American arm of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Christian Formation process which St. John's presents to children ages birth to 15 years. The Association spreads the Gospel of Jesus Christ by sponsoring training nationally and internationally (and offering scholarships to those who cannot afford the training), publishing an annual journal of articles of continuing education for the adult and faithful responses about the CGS presentations from the children, and publishing books about this process through Liturgy Training Publications. The CGS process is now used by the Sisters of Mercy (Mother Teresa's order) around the world for their preparation to serve Jesus Christ as a nun, training which is provided by formation leaders from the USA National Association.

2015: $9,070 to a School for Christian children orphaned by ISIS

This school, currently located in an undisclosed location in Jordan, provides housing, food, medical care, education, and vocational training for Christian children whose families have been destroyed. Currently 125 students (with 150 on the waiting list) have been able to learn and be encouraged in a positive environment that explicitly shares the love of Christ. This new environment is a far cry from the ISIS-driven darkness from which they fled.

2014: $7,270 investment in "Who are you, Jesus?" app

Envisioned by catechists with decades of experience with children in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and using the guidance of Nouma, a beautiful, yet playful and mysterious animated dove, the app will enable the child to engage directly with Jesus’ words. The child can use the functions of the app to listen to or read the scripture and wondering questions, then type on the keyboard, speak into the microphone, or draw a response on the iPad. The responses will be saved by the app, resulting in a unique book created by the child. Click here to buy the app from iTunes.

2013: $8,303 to Westmoreland Children and Youth Association

Founded in 2009, Westmoreland Children and Youth Association works with the most at-risk children in Portsmouth. The Association provides organized sports, recreational and mentoring services as positive alternatives to gang violence, gang affiliations, drugs and unacceptable behaviors.

2012: $4,505 to Voice of the Martyrs

More Christians are persecuted for their faith today than anytime in history. These funds were given to assist persecuted Christians and their families around the world.