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| The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), with denominational offices in Louisville, Kentucky, has approximately 2.3 million members, more than 10,000 congregations and 14,000 ordained and active ministers. Presbyterians trace their history to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation. Our heritage, and much of what we believe, began with John Calvin (1509-1564), whose writings crystallized much of the Reformed thinking that came before him.
The mission of the Synod of the South Atlantic is faithfully to serve Jesus Christ and the Presbyterian Church (USA) by supporting the ministries of our 16 presbyteries and encouraging cooperation among sessions, presbyteries, and the General Assembly.
The Presbytery of Tampa Bay is part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and has more than 247 long-term missionaries serving in 67 countries. The PC(USA) provides over $2.1 million annually to hospitals, clinics, and development programs in more than 35 countries. Presbyterians also have sent disaster recovery assistance to 35 countries abroad and 26 states at home.
The City of Bartow was incorporated in 1882 with a current population of approximately 15,500. The city lies between Tampa and Orlando just south of Lakeland on State Road 60. In the past few years the city has quadrupled it's land area, becoming the second largest city in Polk County while maintaining a "Hometown" atmosphere.
Polk County, FL. Polk County is strategically located in the center of the Florida peninsula, about equal distance from the east and west coast and half way between the Georgia-Florida border and the Southern tip of the peninsula. Polk lies on the Interstate-4 corridor, 25 miles east of Tampa and 35 miles southwest of Orlando. As the geographic center of Florida, it is estimated that more than 7.5 million people reside within a 100 mile radius of Polk County. This is one of the largest concentrations of population in the southeast. The Thornwell Home for Children in Clinton, South Carolina, has been taking care of children and youth in need since its founding on October 1, 1875.
With the support of Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations and private donations, the home nurtures more than 100 children, many of whom suffer from mild to moderate emotional problems stemming from the death of parent(s); a separation or divorce resulting in a temporary inability to care for a child; a temporary financial and/or physical inability to care for a child; families experiencing types of dependency or abuse; and parent's/guardian's disabling health or advanced age. One of the most successful homes for children of its type, the care of Thornwell's residents is based on sound Christian principles and a warm, loving cottage atmosphere staffed by Family Teachers dedicated to providing the finest in Christian development.
Beth-El Farmworker Ministry began in 1976 when a small group of Cumberland Presbyterians rented a tiny house in Ruskin, Florida and began holding Spanish-language church services for migrant farmworkers. When the families came to worship, their many other needs were obvious: they were usually hungry, often cold in winter, some slept in cars or trucks, many could neither read nor write, and most lived in fear of deportation. In its effort to meet some of those needs, Beth-El grew. Now legally a nonprofit corporation, Beth-El Farmworker Ministry, Inc. has a 27 acre site on U.S. Highway 301 about 20 miles south of Tampa. The Ministry serves the nearby rural population. It operates under a covenant among its governing bodies, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Tampa Bay and Peace River Presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Heifer International is a nonprofit charitable organization based in Little Rock, Arkansas, dedicated to relieving global hunger and poverty. It provides gifts of livestock and plants, as well as education in sustainable agriculture, to financially-disadvantaged families around the world.
The mission of Talbot House is to provide each person who comes to its door with immediate needs of food, shelter, and clothing. Through an array of services and with the love of God, each person is encouraged to find fulfillment and life anew.
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