Outreach Ministries

is committed to being, in every way possible, the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. By sponsoring and maintaining ministries that help those who call Salem First Church of the Nazarene their home church, and to those who do not yet have a church home.

Efforts are made to welcome new people by providing them with a small gift and a chance to ask questions about the church when they stop by the visitor desk. Outreach Ministries focuses on providing opportunities to get involved in activities, such as volleyball on Sunday nights, occasional sporting events, such as the November Slow, Fat, and Out of Shape Football Game, the January Family Ski Day, etc. Involvement in Sunday School classes and small groups is also encouraged for all members of the congregation, as well as for new folks. Information about Sunday School and small groups is available at the visitor desk.

Some of the outreach events are geared to be a service to the community and a way to invite others to church. They include the Block Party, Clothing Giveaway, and the Cruise-In. Smaller, yet significant, acts are carried out with the mentoring program at nearby schools, and the collection of large quantities of backpacks with school supplies for needy students.

Some ministries are geared to folks with specific needs and include Divorce Care classes, and Celebrate Recovery. Opportunities to witness are woven in to all aspects of Outreach Ministries, through caring for individuals and families and meeting their needs through Christian kindness and God’s grace.

Outreach Ministries partners with several community agencies to support their efforts in such activities as the Red Cross Blood Drive, Salem Police Toy Drive, Salvation Army Bell Ringing. Other community agencies, such as Family Building Blocks, Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, Juvenile Enrichment through Mentoring (Project JEM) are supported by Outreach Ministries by partnering with them to help them get volunteers, etc. Opportunities to serve are listed on the bulletin board outside Pastor Keith Ritter's office. The church facilities are often used and volunteers are recruited from the congregation and church staff to help with some of their projects.