On Monday, October 16, 2006, First Christian Church of Martinsville opened its doors at 89 S. Main Street to serve the first meal at the newly established Community Table. The doors sadly had to close on our meals during the Pandemic. We are thrilled to be serving meals once again!

All are welcome in our Fellowship Hall for the meal served 5:30-6:30 p.m. each Monday evening. You can enter through door 1 on Main Street or use our elevator entrance at the back of the church and come down to the basement to find our Fellowship Hall.

The mission statement for this local operation is twofold: The Community Table–seeking to be (1) a tangible response to God’s call and commandment to be a hospitable people and (2) a figurative and literal extension of the Table of the Lord’s Supper – offers a weekly, free meal, as well as fellowship and prayer, to anyone in the community who wishes to participate. Originally, 11 teams, manned by members of First Christian Church were the preparers, servers and cleanup crews for the meals.

But over the years many teams have been formed and added to the roster from churches and organizations around Martinsville, including: First Baptist Church, First United Methodist Church, St. Martin’s Catholic Church, Hyndsdale Christian Church, Liberty Christian Church, the Noon Lion’s Club, the Rotary Club, Boy Scout Troop 219, Tri Kappa Sorority, Home Bank, 4 H Junior Leaders, 4 H Swine Club, City Changers from Mooresville and The Haven (led by First Christian’s Youth Group.)

First Christian Church saw a need for a safe place for middle school youth after school. With the help of adults middle school youth of the church came up with the name, the mission statement, the rules, and served on the board. They also put in sweat equity to get the building ready. Since 1998 staff and volunteers have help to keep the original mission of The Haven going. Mission statement: The Haven Youth Center is to provide students in grades 5 through 8 a safe place to come after school to hang out with friends, to visit, to play games, eat, study, learn new life skills and do community service projects.

Over the years members of FCC have purchased a building to house the program and a van, volunteered and established permanent funds to support this ministry. The Haven has received many grants over the years. The most recent grant is from the Morgan County Substance Abuse Commission. The grant is enabled Haven youth for the first time to experience an overnight prevention retreat at a nearby camp ground.

A handful of middle school youth and as many adults helped to shape The Haven into what it is today. In 1998 the only after school program for middle school youth was the YMCA. Several youth could be found spending time on the steps of the library waiting for parents to get off work. First Christian Church saw the need for a safe place for youth to hang out with friends, study, learn new skills, and have an opportunity for service to the community. With the guidance of Rev. Linda Presley youth chose the name, the logo, came up with the mission statement, picked out equipment, made a commercial and invited friends to attend. Adult volunteers from four local churches provided adult supervision and sat on the Haven Board which was made up of youth and adults.

Today some of those who dreamed, planned and participated in 1998 as 7th & 8th graders, now as 30+ adults say:

“I am proud of being part of the starting of The Haven. It helped me get through middle and high school. It was a comfortable, safe place to be with friends and family.”
Eric Hanscom

“Looking back to 1998 I remember painting the walls of The Haven, washing out the brushes, teaching others how to play bumper pool, making a commercial to promote The Haven, and doing homework in the front room (library) of The Haven.”
Christina Presley

“It was an exciting time and was a unique experience for youth. We were involved and consulted on everything. I remember lots of meetings where we made decisions from the naming of The Haven to what flavor would go in the pop machine.”
Tonya Hughey Walden

“Playing pool was the main attraction for me. I saw the Haven as a place that was supervised yet was warm and welcoming. The adults were friends. I made several friends at The Haven which have remained life long friends.”
Adam Maxwell

Find out what’s happening now at the Haven by visiting our Facebook Page

Kairos is in all of the prisons in Indiana except one. This movement is changing the lives of the men and women in prison as well as the staff.

We start with scared, angry, hurting men and women and after 72 hours see happy, forgiveness, blessed individuals that go back into the population to share the love of Jesus Christ. We call it a front row seat to a miracle!

There are Kairos weekends twice a year at most prisons. Being on a team takes dedication, but the payoff is SO worth it! In Matthew 25:36-40, Jesus told us to, “I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?

The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

For more information regarding the Kairos Prison Ministry, CLICK HERE

If you love worshiping God through music, there are several opportunities to be involved in the music ministry at First Christian Church in Martinsville.