Make an Impact

You Can Make an Impact!

Messiah is a church of compassion and community outreach, supporting local, national, and global missions. From serving at the local food shelf to traveling to developing countries, we serve through mission — and there is a place for you to get involved!

Messiah Church is committed to supporting several organizations consistently and long-term — these are our Community Partners. In fact, even on your first visit to Messiah, you can make an impact because we will make a donation on your behalf to one of these organizations. We also have two Covenant Mission Partners — organizations that have grown out of Messiah Church, and with which we have ongoing covenants to support with our prayers, presence, and financial giving. And each month we collect a special Second Mile Offering to support a specific organization through financial and in-kind donations. Learn more about each of these below.
Give to Second Mile Offering
Meet Our Covenant Partners
Meet Our Community Partners

Second Mile Offering: STORM Ministries and YouthWorks

Our July & August Second Mile Offering supports STORM Ministries and YouthWorks. These two ministries empower young people to serve others, grow in faith, and strengthen communities.

STORM Camp (Service To Others in Relational Ministry) equips youth to serve Jesus by serving others through yardwork, painting, building, cleaning, and more. Campers spend three days working and evenings in Chapel to deepen their faith. STORM partners with a local church for 3-5 years, investing in the community and encouraging continued service once STORM moves on. Each summer, Messiah youth serve locally with STORM Camp. STORM Ministries oversees the program, led by Executive Director Sami Tierney (also Messiah’s Director of Youth and Family Ministry), with many Messiah members serving as Staff and Board Members. Your Second Mile Offering supports project materials and camp operating costs. For more information on STORM Ministries, visit www.stormcamp.org.

YouthWorks provides immersive service experiences that build faith, confidence, and community through week‑long mission trips, service‑learning experiences, spring break trips, and custom opportunities. YouthWorks helps students serve in ways that genuinely support communities, return home with new perspectives, and grow as future leaders. Mission trips broaden perspectives, ignite passions, and inspire participants to make a difference. Each summer, Messiah high school youth serve out‑of‑state with YouthWorks, and several youth alumni are part of their summer staff. Your Second Mile Offering helps YouthWorks continue developing meaningful service experiences locally and nationally. For more information on YouthWorks, visit www.youthworks.com.

You can support STORM Ministries and YouthWorks through the end of August with a monetary donation online by selecting “Second Mile Offering,” or by mailing a check (indicate “STORM & YouthWorks” in the memo) to: Messiah Church, 17805 County Road 6, Plymouth, MN 55447.

Current Opportunities & Needs

Suitcase & Duffle Bag Donations

Do you have a suitcase or duffle bag you are no longer using, but is still in good condition? We are collecting bags for The Link’s emergency shelter, Dignity House, serving homeless teenagers in the Twin Cities. When the teens are ready to leave the shelter, they like to send them off with dignity — and pack their items in a suitcase instead of a plastic garbage bag. Suitcase and duffle bag donations will be collected through Sunday, July 19 and can be dropped off in the atrium at Messiah on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-4 pm). (Please note: We cannot accept reusable shopping bags, purses, fanny packs, etc. — only suitcases or duffle bags used for overnight stays.)

Dignity House is for youth of all gender identities between 10 and 17 who have run away from home, are experiencing homelessness, and/or who are involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. For more information on The Link and Dignity House, visit thelinkmn.org.

American Red Cross Blood Drive

Make a difference in the lives of others by giving blood — your donation could save a life! Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood due to accidents, surgeries, or ongoing treatments for illnesses, and your generosity provides hope and healing for patients who depend on it. Consider donating blood at the American Red Cross blood drive on Monday, August 10 from 12-6 pm in Heritage Hall. Visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter “MessiahPlym” to schedule an appointment or click here. Save the date for other upcoming blood drives at Messiah: Monday, October 5.

Did you know that you can give one super-powered blood donation that may have the same impact as two regular donations? This is called a Power Red donation. Click here for more information on being a Power Red donor.

Support our Local Food Shelves

Pasta sauce is in high demand at our local food shelves. Next time you go shopping, please consider picking up something extra to donate to Interfaith Outreach and ICA.

We are always collecting food shelf donations in the round marked bins just inside the front doors at Messiah — drop off on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-4 pm). OR drop off your donation directly at Interfaith Outreach (1605 County Road 101 N, Plymouth) during their donation hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 10 am-5 pm; or ICA (11588 K-Tel Dr, Minnetonka) during their donation hours: Mondays 10 am-6:30 pm, Tuesdays 10 am-3:30 pm, Wednesdays 9 am-3:30 pm, Thursdays 10 am-3:30 pm, Fridays 10 am-12 pm, and Saturdays 10 am-12 pm (1st & 3rd Saturdays only). For more information on the Interfaith Outreach food shelf, visit www.iocp.org/outreach-services/food-shelf. For more information on the ICA food shelf, visit www.icafoodshelf.org.

Calling all Knitters & Crocheters

Messiah’s Prayer Shawl Ministry is seeking knitters and crocheters to make handmade shawls that the Congregational Care Team will distribute to those they serve through prayer, care, visits, and compassionate support. Whether you’ve made many before or haven’t had the chance to make one yet, we would love to put your hands and creative gifts to work. Yarn and an easy to follow pattern for knitting or crocheting is provided. If you are interested in learning more or getting started, please contact Heather Felt at hfelt@messiahchurch.org.

Ways to Help Simpson Shelter

Can you help with some much-needed items for Simpson Shelter? Current needs include:
  • Men's t-shirts (sizes S-XXXL)
  • Hair care products for natural, textured, or curly hair
  • Personal-sized tissues
  • Hand towels
  • Face cloths
  • Shower shoes

Tips for Simpson Shelter donations:
  • Simpson is currently accepting ONLY these specific items
  • All items must be new, unused, and unopened
  • Simpson cannot accept clothing such as jeans, shirts, coats, and shoes. Underwear and socks in NEW condition are welcome.
  • Personal-sized/travel toiletries are welcome. Full sized items are too heavy for guests to carry.

Donations can be purchased from their Amazon Wish List and delivered directly to the shelter, or dropped off in the marked bin in the atrium at Messiah on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-4 pm). For more information on Simpson Shelter, visit simpsonhousing.org.

Plastic Bag Recycling

Several bright yellow collection bins are now available in the church atrium for recycling plastic bags and bubble wrap — a new permanent part of our Creation Care Ministry. Bring in your clean plastic shopping bags from Target, Walmart, grocery stores, and similar retailers, as well as bubble wrap. (Please note: At this time we cannot accept trash bags, bread bags, or newspaper bags.) Your donations will be put to good use: many of the collected bags will be transformed into plarn (plastic yarn) and woven into sleeping mats, while the rest will be responsibly recycled. Thank you for being part of this important work and for helping us care for the world God entrusted to us. 

Recycled Eyeglasses Can Give New Life

Did you get a new pair of eyeglasses? Great! You can donate your gently used ones to the Lions Club of Wayzata! They are known throughout the world for their work to improve the lives of the visually impaired and to help prevent future blindness. Over one billion people worldwide live with a vision impairment that can be prevented or corrected. When you donate used prescription glasses (including sunglasses) to the Lions Club of Wayzata, you will be making a difference in the lives of many! Glasses and eyeglass case donations can be dropped off in the marked bucket in the atrium at Messiah on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-4 pm). Click here for more information on this program.

Little Free Libraries

Got books? Did you know there are Little Free Libraries in the parking lots at Messiah and Interfaith Outreach (1605 County Road 101 N, Plymouth)? The library at Interfaith Outreach is maintained by Messiah members Phil & Sue Zietlow, and they are especially in need of children’s books to add to that library! Children’s book donations (in good condition) can be dropped off in the marked location in the atrium at Messiah on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-4 pm), or email Sue Z to schedule a pick-up. We’ll be sure to get these books to the Little Free Libraries for local families to enjoy!

Volunteer at Interfaith Outreach

Interfaith Outreach is a valuable resource to our community, addressing critical needs of our neighbors. Volunteers are always needed at the food shelf and Resale Select store. Can you help? Current needs include:
  • Food Shelf Shopping Assistant
  • Resale Select Store Support: Shifts are open Monday-Saturday mornings, afternoons, and evenings
  • Resale Select Treasure Hunter: Shifts are open Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday mornings and afternoons
  • Donation Door Greeter: Shifts are open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning and afternoons

If you are interested in any of these opportunities at Interfaith Outreach, visit iocp.volunteerhub.com to sign up online. Sign up for a New Volunteer Meeting to learn about all open volunteer opportunities. Interfaith Outreach is located at 1605 County Road 101 N, Plymouth. For more information on Interfaith Outreach, visit iocp.org.

Habitat for Humanity Work Days

Among the many ways to serve our local communities, Messiah Church supports Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity (TCH4H). Opportunities exist in several ways but primarily in the construction of housing for eligible applicants. No special skills are required to participate on a build, just a willingness to serve! Messiah volunteers have been participating in a multiple structure project on Niskanen Circle in Chaska. If you would like to help with this build project, visit tchabitat.volunteerhub.com/lp/chaska. At this link, you can register as a new volunteer and sign up for upcoming serve dates that fit your schedule. (Volunteers must be 16 and up to serve on a build team.) If you have questions regarding TCH4H volunteering, contact Marv K. For more information about Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, visit www.tchabitat.org. 

Decluttering? Donate to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Looking to donate large items (or a large quantity of items) but don’t have a vehicle big enough to transport them? Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity ReStore can come to you! All you have to do is request a pickup. For questions about this service, please contact Habitat for Humanity directly at (612) 588-3820 or visit restore.tchabitat.org/donate. Please do not drop off donations at Messiah. For more information about Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, visit www.tchabitat.org.

Serve at Messiah Church 

Every week, hundreds of people enter Messiah Church. You can be part of our servant volunteer teams who share God’s love. Here are just a few ministry areas where you might serve:
  • Sunday Worship - welcoming guests into worship, reading scripture, arranging flowers, or praying over and tidying the space between services
  • Communion Prep - these servants shop for bread and juice, prepare for communion (cube bread and fill cups), and clean up after the service, the first Sunday of each month. You can serve for just the 8:30 or 10:30 service, or prep for both. Training will be provided!
  • Sunday Hospitality - greeting guests, serving coffee, and ushering
  • Wednesday Hospitality - greet guests attending evening activities
  • Kids & Youth - build lasting relationships and nurture the faith of the next generation (background checks and references required)
  • Gardens & Grounds - no matter the time of year, lend your green thumb or handy skills toward decorating, maintaining, or organizing our grounds

For more information on any of these opportunities, contact Heather Felt, Director of Community Engagement.

Other Serving Opportunities

Looking for other opportunities to serve our neighbors? Check out the following organizations:

Missions Team

Bethany Nelson
Associate Pastor

Mary Beth Mazzocchi
Missions Chair

Jess Baker
Secretary

Kevin Bowman
At-Large

Shirley Buehler
At-Large

Pam Lundgren
At-Large

Darcy Weldy
At-Large

Peggy Russett
At-Large

Linda Seaton
At-Large

Gail Stone
At-Large

Questions about Missions at Messiah? Contact Mary Beth, Missions Chair.

Contact Mary Beth

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