At Gates Presbyterian Church (Genesee Valley Presbytery), an old spiritual has been reimagined for a new season of discipleship: “Michael, Row the Boat Ashore” becomes “Matthew, Row the Boat Ashore”: a playful but powerful way of naming the congregation’s commitment to the Matthew 25 invitation.
Matthew 25 calls the church to more than good intentions. It calls us to action shaped by truth—because how we treat our neighbors matters to God, and because the gospel demands that we face what has wounded God’s people.
On Monday, January 19, 2026, nearly 200 neighbors braved the cold to link arms for Memorial Presbyterian Church’s 3rd Annual MLK Day Unity March & Cultural Celebration in Roosevelt, Long Island. Organized by Memorial Presbyterian Church (Long Island Presbytery, PC(USA)), the march honored the 40th observance of the federal holiday commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s...
In the wake of the active-shooter incident near Brown University, our Synod stands in grief and prayer—and in concrete action.
n Giving Tuesday, our Synod puts love into motion. Rooted in Matthew 25:31–46, we invest in ministries that build congregational vitality, dismantle structural racism, and eradicate systemic poverty across the Northeast. This year, we’re focusing our collective generosity on four impact areas. Your gift—of any size—helps neighbors experience the tangible love of Christ.
Every October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month invites us to practice the compassion of Matthew 25:31–46 in concrete ways. As a Matthew 25 Synod, we are called to see Christ in neighbors who face diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and grief—and to respond with care that is practical, equitable, and hope-filled.
When Delaney Hall in Newark, NJ re-opened to house people detained by ICE, the sidewalks outside filled with parents, partners, and children—often waiting hours to see a loved one. Members of Coastlands Presbytery, together with community groups, immigrant-rights advocates, and other faith partners, answered a simple, gospel-shaped question: How do we love our neighbors here and...
The Matthew 25 Initiative reminds us that the heart of the gospel is not found only in words, but in action—in how we live, how we love, and how we serve. New Mercy Community Church in Hackensack, New Jersey, embodies this calling powerfully through its beloved ministry: Community Love Day. This vibrant, grassroots outreach aligns beautifully...
On Saturday, June 7, 2025, the parking lot of Christ’s First Presbyterian Church (CFPC) in Hempstead, NY was transformed into a vibrant festival of hope, healing, and hospitality as the congregation hosted its first-ever Hope Day event.
On June 1st, Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church will make history by hosting the 1st Annual Presbytery-Wide Pride Service, an event that embodies the heart of the Matthew 25 Initiative—affirming that what we do matters to God and how we treat others is important to God.
