Our Community
Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN)
Yates partners with other churches in the Durham community to meet the basic needs of homeless families for one week each quarter. Overnight accommodations are provided at the church, as well as three meals a day. In addition, transportation is provided to and from the IHN day house.
Operation Inasmuch
Local Christian and humanitarian agencies, schools, and individuals in the Durham area are the benefactors of this mission blitz. Participants of all ages work on completing approximately 25 different mission projects in a single day.
Sonshine Class
Approximately 60 special needs adults from group and independent homes in Durham participate in the Sonshine Class. Activities include Bible study, prayer, music, crafts, games, meals, and fellowship. They participate in mission projects such as Operation Inasmuch, Durham Crop Walk for World Hunger, Operation Christmas Child, and the Yates Haiti Mission.
Children's Missions
Children have the opportunity to do missions In Real Life. They also participate in church-wide missions such as Operation Inasmuch and Operation Christmas Child. Vacation Bible School, Kingdom Kids, Sunday school classes, and children’s choirs have mission components.
Youth Missions
The youth at Yates sponsor children through World Vision International and attend Mission Fuge annually. They have gone on international mission trips to Belize and Canada. Mission projects have included planting a garden and reading to children at Caring House, singing and playing games with residents of Emerald Pond retirement community, and assisting with Sonshine Class meetings. In addition, they participate in Operation Inasmuch and Operation Christmas Child.
Student & Adult Missions
Many Yates programs, such as Bible study groups, prayer groups, Sunday school classes, and choirs have mission components. Habitat for Humanity, Lincoln Community Health Center, Durham Crop Walk for World Hunger, Durham Rescue Mission, Women’s Prison Ministry, Pregnancy Support Services, Yates Baptist Association, North Carolina Baptist Men, and the Bayer/CIS BackPack program are among the groups served.
Women's Ministry
Each Women's Ministry event has a mission emphasis, and has included the Yates Food Pantry, the Precious Children orphanage in India, and our own Yates members in retirement communities and nursing homes. This group sponsors an "adopt-a-school" small group with Lakewood Elementary School to identify, coordinate and participate in projects with the school.
Emerald Pond Bible Study
Many senior adults of all faiths at the Emerald Pond Retirement Residence look forward to a weekly Bible study led by a Yates member. Yates staff members join the group to offer communion, occasionally teach, and share in their special Christmas luncheon. This time of study, prayer, and intimate fellowship has proven to be valuable in helping new residents make the transition to community living.
Child Development Center (CDC)
High quality, full-time child care and developmentally appropriate teaching, within the framework of faith formation and missions opportunities, are provided for more than 60 children (birth-5 years). The CDC serves diverse families of various nationalities, ethnicities, and religious beliefs as well as children with special learning needs. Some of the community programs available for families through the CDC are vision and speech screenings, lead testing, flu shots, behavioral therapy, developmental assessments, on-site therapy, enrichment programs, and safety/hygiene classes. Training workshops on early childhood topics are offered to parents and teachers. For more information click here. 
