Mission, Outreach & Evangelism
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no
deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and
daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does
nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it
is not accompanied by action, is dead.” - James 2: 14-17
Our charge as a committee is to contribute 10% of our church family tithes as well as to gather
and deploy our energy as individuals to serve our church family, our community and the world.
Building Hope in Mexico: Pali Pres Joins BPC and Amor Ministries
October 10–12, 2026 | Baja California, Mexico
This past weekend, two Pali Pres members, Charlie Ellis and David Wood, joined volunteers from Brentwood Presbyterian Church for a three-day mission trip to Mexico with Amor Ministries, an organization that has been helping families in need build safe, secure homes for more than 40 years. For Charlie, it was his fourth consecutive year participating in the trip. For David, it was his first, and an experience he won't soon forget.
Working together with approximately 20 volunteers, the team built a small, two-room home for a family living in extremely difficult conditions between Tijuana and Tecate. When the volunteers arrived, there was little more than a concrete foundation. Over the next three days, they framed the walls, constructed the roof, installed corrugated metal roofing, wrapped the exterior in wire mesh, applied the first coat of stucco, installed a front door and lock, and poured a concrete entrance step.
Just a few feet away stood the family's previous shelter, a fragile structure assembled from scraps of plywood, sheet metal, and deteriorating tarps. Seeing those living conditions firsthand brought home just how meaningful a simple, sturdy house could be. Despite some rainy weather, the team accomplished its goal of making the new home ready for the family to occupy. Additional finishing work remains, but the family now has a secure roof overhead, solid walls, and a door they can lock.
The most memorable moment came at the end of the build. The volunteers gathered around the family as BPC's Pastor Adam Jones offered a prayer of blessing. With the help of a translator, the keys to the new home were presented to the family. There were tears of gratitude, warm embraces, and a wonderful surprise: the family had prepared homemade pupusas to share with the volunteers.
During the trip, an Amor Ministries representative reflected on a question the organization often hears: With so many families in need, how much difference can building one house really make? The answer was simple. For the family receiving that home, it makes all the difference.
Pali Pres is grateful to Brentwood Presbyterian, particularly Tricia McReynolds and Steve Ruth, for welcoming our volunteers into this meaningful ministry. BPC has been participating in these annual home-building missions for many years, and we hope this will be the beginning of greater involvement by our own congregation.
If you've ever considered joining a hands-on mission trip, this is a wonderful opportunity to serve, build friendships, and make a lasting difference in the life of a family. We hope more Pali Pres members will join us next October!
Submitted by David Wood, Mission & Outreach Committee
Habitat for Humanity
Each year we get involved hands-on along with donating to a full build day on a new housing project. Pali Pres is so excited to have partnered with Habitat for Humanity LA in this monumental effort to help bring Palisadians home!
Angel Tree
Each year our Pali Pres Family takes part in this wonderful tradition of fulfilling Christmas gift wishes from currently imprisoned men and women, then wrapping and delivering the gifts to their children.
PATH
Pali Pres has a long standing relationship serving alongside the PATH team through various outreach projects to help care for our unhoused neighbors. Along with a yearly donation for support we recently held a food drive in collaboration with our Vacation Bible School families specifically focused to help families currently living in motels while awaiting permanent housing.
Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness
Pali Pres has joined with various local faith groups to provide brown bag lunches that the Task Force case workers share with those in need as they work to get them back on their feet. We also make yearly donations to help keep the task force running as it is supported through donations from the community.
Presbyterian Disaster Relief Assistance
Enables congregations and mission partners of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to respond to disasters, natural or human-caused, world-wide. We took up a special collection to go to assistance in Ukraine.
Clothing Drives
From our ‘Drive and Dunk’ event that collected socks for homeless people, to our ‘Soles for Souls’ shoe collection for women in El Salvador, we love to have fun while we collect clothes for the less fortunate.
Sojourn Women’s and Children Shelter (Los Angeles)
Sojourn’s mission is to provide, without prejudice, shelter and support services to adult and child victims of domestic violence; prevent violence through non-dominant child-rearing and the re-envisioning of gender stereotypes using a philosophy of nonviolence and individual empowerment; and work toward advancing social justice, locally and globally.
