History

In October of 1997, 145 interested people gathered to help launch the Tyger River Presbyterian Church. Tyger River Church was founded upon five core values that remain central to an understanding of our mission and ministry. These core values are that at Tyger River Church:

• Worship is positive and relevant to your life.
• Members are welcoming and inclusive.
• Children are cherished, families are nurtured and singles are welcomed.
• A safe place exists for everyone to explore their faith journey.
• Members serve others through mission teams.

   

In 2007 we added a new core value:

• TRPC is a place where the practice of receiving and giving forgiveness is central to the healing of relationships between God, self and others.

By December of 1997 our young congregation had grown to almost 40 charter members along with a developing Christian education program for all ages and an exciting adult choir. From our inception it was clear that “surely the presence of the Lord was in this place”.

In February of 1998 a modest 10 X 40 ft. Mobile Office was purchased for the purpose of becoming the temporary church office. Once placed on the church property this office became the temporary office for our emerging church.

By mid April our congregation had doubled in size while taking on such projects as Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics and a ministry to a local boarding home. In June of 1998, having gathered over 100 charter members, Tyger River Church petitioned the Foothills Presbytery to become a “chartered” church. Finally, on August 16th, 1998 Tyger River Church became a “constituted” new church of the Presbyterian Church USA. Additionally, ground was broken for the construction of the first phase of our four-phase church complex.

In June of 1999, the congregation of Tyger River moved into their newly constructed building. Since June of 1999 Tyger River has been blessed by God with rapid growth. The growth has included a dramatic amount of new members and a proliferation of new programs and ministries. Our early growth and development led to Tyger River being awarded the prestigious “Walton Award” for excellence in new church development within the Presbyterian Church USA.

In early 2002, the Tyger River Children’s Center – a faith-based after school program was launched as a ministry of TRPC to the emerging community around the church. Currently the Tyger River Children’s Center has an enrollment of over 60 children, a staff of 6 and an energized board of directors.

By July of 2002 we had outgrown our original building and realized that a faithful response to God’s will for TRPC would mean raising funds for and construction of Phase II. In August 2004 we dedicated our new addition to the glory of God.

In 2003 TRPC entered into a partnership with the Middle Tyger Community Center to become the first-ever satellite campus of the community center. To this end we have developed the largest food and clothing pantry in our school district. As the pantry grew our partnership with Middle Tyger Community Center drew to a close while our partnership with Joy Lutheran and Nazareth Presbyterian Churches grew.

In 2008 while on sabbatical, our pastor, Dr. Doug Cushing, led a group of 9 climbers on a charity climb up the Western Breach of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The purpose of the climb was to raise money and awareness for our food pantry. Over $50,000 was raised and the dream of constructing a new, free-standing food pantry was born. Today the food pantry is known as The Carpenter’s Table Community Outreach Center – a free standing community center located on the beautiful wooded grounds of TRPC.

Currently TRPC is a growing faith community of over 350 adult members and over 75 baptized children. We offer two worship services each Sunday. The Church staff includes the Pastor, the Director of Christian Education, Director of Youth Ministries, The Director of Music, The Director the After School Program, and an Administrative Assistant. Our Session has grown from 8 to 18. Tyger River is a vibrant, wonderful, fun, growing place full of genuine people trying to live out a genuine faith.

At Tyger River you will find the following:

• An enthusiastic Christian education team committed to providing the best quality education for children and older youth.
• An upbeat worship service that combines engaging Presbyterian liturgy as well as traditional and contemporary music in an informal environment – there is no dress code at Tyger River.
• Small groups of women and men who meet monthly for fellowship, prayer, study and growth.
• A growing church family who want to connect with God, with each other and with those in our community in need.
• A beautiful new facility with a tranquil view from the sanctuary looking out on acres of poplar and cedar trees.

As the Pastor of Tyger River Church it is my joy to serve this family of faith and my privilege to lead this church in God’s mission and ministry.

Adeste Fideles,

Rev. Dr. Doug Cushing, M.A.; M. Div.; D. Min.