As a tangible expression of our motto – “To Know Him, To Love Him, To Share Him – we are committed to reaching out to our community, our region and the world. We do this by involving our members in service projects and mission trips, and by providing direct financial support to church planters and cross-cultural missionaries.
Community Service
KidMax
Our signature community service program is called KidMax. Each Wednesday during the school year, we provide a free after-school program for elementary aged children . Kids are bused to the GWC campus from our neighborhood public school, Bertha Holt Elementary. For 4 hours, staff and volunteers from our church provide supervision for fun activities, classes (such as cooking, arts& crafts, sewing), snacks, and games in our gym. Parents may come anytime throughout the afternoon to pick-up their children. While most of the students come from Holt School, all elementary-age kids are welcome to attend. For more information, or to register your child, please contact the church office at 541-683-8213.
Serve Days
Several times during the year, Garden Way volunteers will assist a variety of non-profit agencies around Lane County. We provide general laborers, skilled professionals, and willing servants to meet a variety of needs. Some of the agencies or groups we have served include: Mt. Pisgah Arboreteum, The Pearl Buck Center, Holt School, Food For Lane County Community Gardens, and Metropolitan Affordable Housing Corporation.
Kids Night Out
We hold this special event several times each year for both Garden Way families and families in the community. Elementary-age children are dropped off by their parents from 6:00 – 8:15 pm. and enjoy activities in our gym, movies, and a pizza dinner under the supervision of staff and volunteers. KNO meeting times will be listed in the Sunday worship program and the KidMax weekly parent newsletter.
Regional Outreach
University Christian Fellowship
University Christian Fellowship is a campus ministry reaching out to the University of Oregon. GWC has a long history of providing financial support and volunteer help to this outreach ministry. For more information on UCF visit their website: www.ucf-uo.com
Church Planting
Our current church-planting effort is focused on Vancouver, B.C. Garden Way provides direct financial support and assistance to church planters Aaron and Amy Etheridge at The Vine. This new church is a community of Jesus followers who exist to pursue “new life, hope, and peace” in the neighborhoods of East Vancouver and beyond. For more information check out their website: www.thevinevancouver.com
Grove Christian Camp
GWC partners with Grove Christian Service Camp in Dorena, Oregon (SE of Cottage Grove) to provide quality camping facilities and programs. Grove camp is located on 120 acres of forest lands on the banks of the Row River. For more information visit the camp website. www.grovechristiancamp.org
Cross-Cultural Outreach
GWC provides direct financial support, prayer, and/or missionary care to the following individuals working around the world:
Ron & Jacqui Whisler – Wycliffe Bible Translators, Indonesia
Doug & Carol Reed – Language & Teaching Ministries (LATM)
Deezi Pungya Family – Frontier Laborours for Christ, Thailand
Steve & Becky Overlin – Missionary Care with Pioneer Bible Translators (PBT)
Dan & Mindy – “Tentmakers” in SE Asia
Corey & Janice Lemke – Working with church planters in Ukraine; Missionary coaching
Nick & Lindale Adams – A-Z Christian Mission in Zimbabwe