The Young Adults ministry recognizes and celebrates the vital role of young adults in the growth and future of the church. Whether you're navigating your 20s or settling into your 30s, single or married, with or without children, this group meets you where you are. This is the place to build lasting relationships with a caring support system. In addition to Sunday School, First Pres offers several mission and fellowship opportunities for adults ages 22-39(ish) throughout the year.

Young Adult Weekly Update (October 13, 2021)

This Sunday, October 17 is a full day! Looking forward to seeing everyone at the combined Sunday school class with Nadege Gay of Haiti Outreach Ministries that morning and then at the Breedens' house for our social that evening.

Peace,

Emily Neely

(Young Adult Committee)

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Ephesians 6:18: Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.

Maybe you have a prayer list like mine. I try each day to remember in prayer individuals in my life who are living through a challenge—illness, loss, or a life transition. Nadege Gay has been on my list every day since 2017. Her challenges, achievements, and life experiences are unlike anyone else’s I know.

Nadege stayed with my family for several days in 2017, when she last visited Spartanburg and our church. She grew up in Haiti, was orphaned as a child, homeless, and, through sheer will, determination, and the grace of God, propelled her way into and through school. In the process, Nadege captured the hearts of school administrator Jacky Dorleans and her husband, Leon, and the couple adopted her.

Nadege went on to earn associates, undergraduate, and graduate degrees in the U.S., all the while working tirelessly toward the education and ministry of Haitian children. She is currently the Assistant Superintendent of Schools with Haiti Outreach Ministries (HOM), an organization her father, Leon Dorleans, founded in 1990. She also runs House of Hope, a girls’ home she and the Dorleans started in 2010, following the devastating earthquake that year.

First Presbyterian Church has partnered with HOM since 2010. During this time, our church has contributed over $275,000 to help build and fund Barye Fe School, to expand school and vocational offerings, and to rebuild Repatriote Church. Prior to COVID, mission teams from First Pres. also traveled to Haiti each year to participate in house building and medical missions projects. Nadege has proven integral to our church's partnership with HOM over the years.

How do we, as Presbyterians, use the word “saint”? I’m sure the possibilities for interpretation are endless. Personally, though, when I encounter that word, Nadege comes to mind.

If you don’t do anything else this coming Sunday morning, please make sure to hear Nadege Gay speak during one of our worship services or during the special combined Sunday school class.

For more information on Haiti Outreach Ministries (HOM), see: https://www.haitiom.org

Our family sponsors a child’s education through HOM, and this connection has blessed us. If you’d like to do the same, see https://www.haitiom.org/sponsor-a-student/


Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, may we recognize all the saints at work in our lives and in the lives around us, and may we claim our own identities as Your saints. Help us to lean into one another, support one another, pray for one another, always in thanksgiving to You. We pray especially that You would continue to bless the work of Haiti Outreach Ministries and our church’s partnership in this work.