Donor Spotlight: Burnt Store Presbyterian Church
The Burnt Store Presbyterian Church (BSPC) has been an unwavering supporter of the Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance. According to Luceal Curry, Missions Ministry Chairperson, they became aware of IFHA from Pastor Miguel Estrada from Misión Peniel in Immokalee, under the Peace River Presbytery. He works with the migrant workers, and made the Presbytery aware of the dire housing needs for those people. Additionally, the Church’s compassion is so strong for the Immokalee area that the BSPC Missions Ministry group volunteers monthly to work at Misión Peniel.
Having seen the housing needs firsthand, the Church and its congregation believe that IFHA is an organization making a difference in substandard housing and exorbitant rent prices for those workers living in Immokalee. To them, this is a humanitarian act of responsibility to those less fortunate. Luceal Curry and her fellow Church members believe that we are all God’s children, and we need to help those who are being taken advantage of as they work to provide fruit and vegetables to communities in and out of Florida.
Burnt Store Presbyterian Church of Punta Gorda, Florida, was established on March 20, 1983. A group of 27 men and women in what is now the Peace River Presbytery had a vision for a church in southern Charlotte County. Their first building was dedicated in 1985, with an educational facility to follow in 1988. Their current sanctuary hosted its first worship service on November 4, 2001.
In June of 1990, the Reverend Timothy Stewart was installed as their Pastor, succeeding the organizing pastor, John Stump. He served the congregation as pastor for 30 years, retiring in May 2020. Pastor Jaco Bester has been called to lead their congregation in the next chapter of ministry. Over the years, they have grown from the original 27 members to a worshiping community of over 500.
The mission of Burnt Store Presbyterian Church's Mission Ministry is to respond to His call by reaching out to all people. The Mission Ministry is dedicated to reaching out and helping others locally, nationally and worldwide. Assistance is given with “hands-on” activities as well as financially to some 30 organizations. These are a few of the many opportunities church members do to help some of God’s children who are in need:
Feeding the homeless
Providing food and clothing to migrant farm workers
Working with boys in a group foster home
Delivering food so school kids have something to eat over the weekends
Ringing the bell and manning a station for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Christmas program
Participating in national and international mission efforts
Building with Habitat for Humanity
All of us at Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance are grateful for the continued support of the Burnt Store Presbyterian Church.