Mission Partners of Fourth Church

OVERVIEW
of Fourth Church’s mission program

Fourth Presbyterian Church supports mission and justice seeking efforts in our city, through our denomination, and across the globe. Learn about our partners who through their faithful work, allow us to be a light in the City and beyond. (jump down to "Chicago mission partners")

Chicago Mission Partners

With our presence, volunteers, and small funding grants, Fourth Church supports the efforts of the following organizations in Chicago who serve as our 2026-2027 grantee partners.

Boxing Out Negativity offers sports and School Mentoring Programs in six schools to youth in North Lawndale.

Deborah’s Place provides permanent housing and supportive services to homeless women in East Garfield Park.

Focus Fairies Mentoring serves young girls housed in detention and upon release to improve academics, mental health and to reduce future re-arrests in five Chicago neighborhoods.

Imagine Englewood IF purchases abandoned homes and transforms them into healing and academic program spaces thus strengthening and empowering the Greater Englewood community.

Inspiration Corporation provides housing in nine neighborhoods and hands-on job apprenticeship under the supervision of Chicago chefs.

Sista Afya fills a gap in mental health services unavailable to black and brown women in South Shore, Washington Park, Woodlawn, Chatham and Hyde Park with individual culturally-centered counseling, peer support and educational workshops.

The Night Ministry provides housing, social services and street-based healthcare through its Health Outreach Bus to homeless residents in Pilsen, South Shore and New City.

UCAN provides transitional housing, violence prevention, neighborhood dispute resolution and support services to youth in Riverdale.

Breakthrough Urban Ministries provides medical, mental health. substance abuse services, housing and career readiness to residents in Garfield Park.

Cuba Partnership

Fourth Church has a special relationship with First Presbyterian Church in Havana that began in 1998 when members of Fourth Church first visited Cuba. In 2000, the two churches entered into a formal covenant of partnership that endures over 25 years later. The covenant is based on a “mutuality of mission” that brings blessings to both partners.

Fourth Church regularly visit our sister congregation in Havana. During our visits we seek to learn about and serve in First Presbyterian’s ministries. We also bring medicines and other vital supplies in desperately short supply donated by our congregation to help them fulfill their ministry as un luz in la ciudad–a light in the city. In addition, we often tour Havana and visit the Ecumenical Theological Seminary which has campuses both in Havana and Matanzas. We return deeply moved by their hospitality and inspired by their faithfulness.

We also host church leaders from Cuba so we can hear their stories and understand their reality. Along with our partner congregation, Fourth Church participates in a larger partnership between the Presbytery of Chicago and the Presbytery of Havana.

Persistent political relations between the United States and Cuba complicate, but do not deter, our ministry of presence. We continue to pray and work together to shine God’s light in Chicago and Havana.

Denominational Partners

Covenant Network:  the Covenant Network of Presbyterians seeks an equity still not fully realized for LGBTQIA+ people in church and society, by

Engaging the church to invite all of God’s children into safe and welcoming congregational spaces of affirmation, healing, dignity and purpose;
Educating the church to expand our welcome of LGBTQIA+ people, to affirm their gifts for ordained office, and to uphold marriage equality for all; and
Equipping the church to bear witness to justice through advocacy and activism at the international, national and local church levels; speaking a prophetic word in anxious and divided times; and standing with others in fighting hate and oppression against any of God’s children.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance: PDA provides both emergency relief and short-term recovery assistance as well as works with partners through the long recovery process that so often follows. To support disaster relief work, you can make an online gift to PDA.

Presbyterian Life and Witness: The agency pursues mission and ministry priorities that are set by the General Assembly. Led by the Rev. Jihyun Oh, Executive Director and Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, the agency works to support mid councils, leader development, unifying ministry work, reparative justice, life of the communion, and strategic partnerships.

McCormick Theological Seminary: For nearly two centuries, McCormick Theological Seminary has prepared leaders to serve a changing world with courage, compassion, and conviction. Rooted in the Reformed tradition and shaped by a commitment to justice, McCormick equips students for ministries that are faithful, inclusive, intellectually rigorous, and deeply engaged with the realities of today's communities.

For more information on mission partners at Fourth Presbyterian Church, contact Nancy Davis, Coordinator for Mission and Evangelism (312.274.3815).