First Presbyterian Church of Houston Tackles City’s Biggest Challenges

Education, homelessness and human trafficking among the issues to be discussed during second annual State of the City Symposium

HOUSTON – April 17, 2017 – First Presbyterian Church of Houston is preparing for its second annual State of the City Symposium on April 21-22. The Symposium will bring together experts, members of First Presbyterian Church of Houston, ministry partners and the surrounding community to learn about the Houston area’s central challenges and consider how to respond. This year’s theme is, “The Dangerous Act of Loving our Neighbor.”

Through initiatives such as the State of the City Symposium, First Presbyterian Church of Houston is collaborating with other concerned Houstonians on ways to bring change.

The 2017 State of the City Symposium will address education, homelessness, human trafficking and the risks of teen suicide. Speakers will include Clayton Crook, Principal of Cullen Middle School in Houston’s Third Ward, Sonja Gee, Executive Director of Main Street Ministries, Bill Henson, Founder of Lead Them Home, Austin Hermann, Director of Ministry Empowerment with First Presbyterian Church Houston, Jim Herrington, Pastor Co-founder of Mission Houston and Faith Walking, and Leigh Kohler, Executive Director of Freedom Church Alliance.

“These challenges represent some of the most critical issues impacting the health and vitality of Houston,” said Jim Birchfield, Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Houston. “The goal of the symposium is to encourage our community to not only be more educated about these concerns, but to also be exposed to opportunities to get involved with a ministry or initiative designed to address these issues and make a contribution toward improving the state of our city.”

Symposium registration cost is $10 per person and includes lunch. To register or for more information about the State of the City Symposium, visit http://fpchouston.org/events/state-of-the-city/539/1492750800/. Walk-up registration will also be accepted as space permits.

State of the City Symposium Schedule:

Friday, April 21

  • 6:30 pm Check-in
  • 7:00 pm Rising to the Challenge of the Post-Modern, Post-Christian World, Jim Herrington, Pastor, Co-founder of Mission Houston and Faithwalking
  • 8:00 pm Q&A

Saturday, April 22

  • 8:30 am Check-in
  • 9:00 am Cullen University: At the Corner of Southlawn and Third Ward, Clayton Crook, Principal of Cullen Middle School
  • 9:30 am Developing Healthy, Hopeful Communities, Sonja Gee, Executive Director of Main Street Ministries
  • 10:15 am The Church’s Response to Human Trafficking, Leigh Kohler, Co-founder and Executive Director of Freedom Church Alliance
  • 10:40 am Reducing LGBT+ Teen Suicide and Homelessness Risk Factors, Bill Henson, Founder of Lead Them Home
  • 11:25 am Moderated Q&A (Crook, Gee, Kohler, & Henson; moderator Rev. Jim Birchfield)
  • 11:45 am Seeking the Good of the City, Austin Hermann, Director of Ministry Empowerment, First Presbyterian Church
  • 1:00 pm Event Close

About First Presbyterian Church Houston

Established in 1839, First Presbyterian Church of Houston was the first church to organize and build in Houston. Today its congregation continues to worship and serve from its location in the heart of the city’s museum district. Committed to providing opportunities to Gather, Grow and Go, the FPC Houston community continues to impact Houston and beyond through multiple worship styles, biblical teaching and strategic opportunities to serve through both local and global mission ministry opportunities. Compelled by the love of Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, FPC Houston is committed to carry the gospel to Houston and to the world. For more information visit http://fpchouston.org.