O Church Arise!
February 21 – March 1, 2025
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Matthew 9:37
“Do the work of an evangelist… fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5
Each year we set aside time to focus on God’s call to make disciples of all nations. This year’s Global Missions Conference, O Church Arise, focuses on the work that God is doing specifically in the Americas. The first weekend of the conference will highlight local missions efforts, and the second weekend will focus on national and international efforts.
Missions Offering | The Americas Project
In the theme passages for this year’s conference, Matthew 9:35-38 and 2 Timothy 4:1-8, we read that the harvest is plentiful, and as God’s people, we are called to be ready in season and out to fulfill our ministry to reach that harvest. This year, our conference offering will focus on the need for the gospel in the Americas, and will go to supporting the work of several ministries in these regions. In North America, the political climate suggests a decaying culture in need of the truth of the gospel. In Latin America, despite being home to some of the largest Christian Communities in the world, these communities have been impacted by the prosperity gospel and syncretism. In Augusta, poverty and homelessness are visible signs of the need for the gospel right in our own community. Funds from our Missions Conference Offering will support 14 ministries in the Americas focused on teaching, training, equipping, discipleship, and acts of mercy. While the need is great, the Hope we have in the power of the gospel is greater, and these ministries are sharing that hope.
Missions Prayer Guide
We encourage you to use the online prayer guide to pray for our missionaries throughout the year. You may also use the information from the prayer guide to connect with a missionary and receive ongoing updates.
Short Term Mission Trips
Short term mission trips serve two important purposes: they allow us to minister to the world, and they minister to the people serving by expanding their worldview and using their God-given gifts. We have seen over and over in the life of this church how God develops the character and gifts of his people through these short but intensive opportunities. Learn about the trips planned for Summer 2026.
Missions Conference Schedule
Local Emphasis Weekend: Engaging Our Community
Saturday, February 21
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Seminar & Luncheon: Engaging Our Community
Guest Speaker: David Gentino, Lead Pastor, Columbia Presbyterian Church, Columbia, SC
We all desire for those we love to follow Jesus, and as Christ’s ambassadors we are called to share the gospel. But often we face obstacles that prevent gospel conversations – either our own fears or barriers erected by our family and friends. In this seminar, we will look at how God has strategically placed the local church to be used to reflect His glory at home and to the nations.
This seminar will encourage and equip us to engage our neighbors and friends with the hope of the gospel and to relationally weave them into the tapestry of the kingdom of God. We will walk away with practical steps to help us engage with the lost all around us and be equipped to share the gospel where we live, work, and play. Lunch will be provided.
Register here for the seminar and lunch. Register for child care here.
Sunday February 22
8:30 & 11 a.m. | Morning Worship
Guest Pastor: David Gentino, Lead Pastor, Columbia Presbyterian Church, Columbia, SC
10 a.m. | Sunday School
Local missionaries will speak in Sunday School classes.
6 p.m. | Evening Worship
Guest Pastor: David Gentino, Lead Pastor, Columbia Presbyterian Church, Columbia, SC
7 p.m. | Local Missionary Cafe | The Commons
Stay after evening worship and get to know some of our local missionaries and learn about opportunities to get involved with local missions.
SECOND ANNUAL LOCAL MISSIONARY CAFE SCAVENGER HUNT
Attend the Missionary Cafe to participate in a Trivia Scavenger Hunt to benefit the local ministry partner of your choice. Three winners will receive a gift card and they each get to select a ministry partner to receive a cash donation.
Global Emphasis: Engaging Our World
Thursday, February 26
12 p.m. | Women’s Luncheon | St. Andrew’s Hall
Several of the missionary women First Pres supports will participate in this event. They will share their experiences of being women serving in ministry and the struggles and joys it brings. We will also have time to pray for and with these women.
Register for the lunch here and child care here.
Friday, February 27
6:30 a.m. | Men’s Breakfast | St. Andrew’s Hall
This is an opportunity to hear from several of the missionary men First Pres supports. They will share some of the challenges of ministry and how God meets them and equips them in their point of need. Register here.
6:30 p.m. | Keynote Event and Global Missionary Cafe
Guest Pastor: Rev. Jorge Aleman, Director, Church Planting Center, Monterrey, México
During this service, we will hear testimonies from several missionaries in addition to a message from Rev. Aleman. Afterwards, get to know some of our national and international missionaries at the Global Missionary Cafe in the Commons, and enjoy dessert in St. Andrew’s Hall.
SECOND ANNUAL GREAT COMMISSION CAKE DECORATING CONTEST
Calling all bakers, cake decorators, and anyone who wants to get creative and have some fun! Select one of the missionaries attending the conference and decorate a cake to represent the missionary, their country, and/or their ministry. Three winners will be selected with donations to the missionaries’ ministries and prizes for the bakers. See details and sign up by February 23. (All skill levels are welcome!)
6:30 p.m. | Kids Passport Night | Harmony Hall
Children Pre-K through 5th grade will start the evening with their parents in the sanctuary, but will be dismissed for the first Passport Night of the year. Children will receive their 2026 passport and learn some interesting facts about ministry in our own city of Augusta, receive a sticker for their passport, and participate in a project to help one of our local ministries.
Saturday, February 28
6:30 p.m. | Parish Events with Missionaries
The parish gatherings allow our missionaries to share their stories in a more personal setting and provide an opportunity for you to get to know some of those that we support. Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share. Click on your parish below and register.
- Columbia County East (Savannah Rapids, Lakeside, Stevens Creek)
- Columbia County West (Evans, Belair, Grovetown)
- Downtown
- Lake Forest
- National and Masters
- Palmetto and Martintown
- River
- Brynwood, Pleasant Home, and Westminster
- Wheeler
Sunday, March 1
8:30 & 11 a.m. | Morning Worship
Guest Pastor: Rev. Jorge Aleman, Director, Church Planting Center, Monterrey, México
10 a.m. | Sunday School & Adult Sunday Morning Communities
Global Missionaries will speak in Sunday School classes.
6 p.m. | Evening Worship
Guest Pastor: Rev. Jorge Aleman, Director, Church Planting Center, Monterrey, México
6 p.m. | Children’s GLOW Conference (Go Light Our World) & Passport Night
Children in Pre-K through 5th grade meet in St. Andrew’s Hall for the GLOW Conference! The ministry of focus is Sacred Road Ministries, and kids will receive their second passport sticker. We will have a time of worship, hear from a guest speaker, sample food, and participate in crafts and games. Wear neon or brightly colored clothing for this special GLOW event.
Conference Speakers
David Gentino
Lead Pastor, Columbia Presbyterian Church, Columbia, SC
David Gentino is the church planting pastor of Columbia Presbyterian Church in downtown Columbia, SC. By God’s grace, Cola Pres has planted two daughter churches and is preparing to launch two more. Prior to that, the Gentino family served as missionaries to South Asia from 2010-2012 with MTW. David and Julie have been married for twenty-one years and have four kids. He is the co-author of Acts: A Commentary for Biblical Preaching and Teaching. David loves Jesus, Jesus’ global church, and the gift of joining in his Great Commission here and abroad.
Jorge Aleman
Director, Church Planting Center, Monterrey, México
Jorge has been a leader of the Church Planting Movement in Northern Mexico for 30 years, first as pastor-leader in the presbytery where MTW started the movement, and currently as the director of the Church Planting Center (CPI – Centro para la Plantación de Iglesias) in Monterrey, Mexico. He also trains and coaches church planters in partnership with City to City. He received his BA in Theology from the Presbyterian Theological Seminary of Mexico in 1993 and his M.Div. from RTS Charlotte in 2005 before returning to lead the training in the church planting movement.
Jorge is also the senior pastor of Jesucristo Fuente de Redención church in Monterrey. He is a leader in the Nuevo Leon Presbytery, which has a vision for expanding church planting. His wife, Maricela, directs the children’s ministry, develops children’s curriculum for VBS and Sunday school, coaches and provides support to church planters’ wives, and leads several women’s Bible studies.