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Global Ministries: Witnesses to the ends of the earth
October 8, 2022 / By Tara Barnes, Director of Denominational Relations, United Women in Faith
In a video presentation at the 2022 Upper New York Annual Conference, United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries General Secretary Roland Fernandes shared an overview of the work of the denominational agency.
“Working on behalf of you, the people of The United Methodist Church, Global Ministries witnesses God’s love for the world through people, projects, and partnerships in more than 100 countries,” he said.
Global Ministries connects the church in mission through missionary service, evangelism and church revitalization, global health, and humanitarian relief and recovery through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).
Global Ministries supports more than 250 missionaries and young adult Global Mission Fellows in more than 60 countries.
The Upper New York Conference Global Ministries recruits, interviews, and recommends people called to be United Methodist missionaries and maintains the list of Conference Advance Specials. The Advance is the designated giving arm of The United Methodist Church.
The Rev. Doug Childress, a member of the Upper New York Conference and who, along with his wife Dr. Kulli Toniste, is a Global Ministries missionary in Estonia, also shared about his work in a video report to the 2022 annual conference.
“In the United States, Global Ministries celebrates and strengthens the work of diverse faith communities and seeks to combat racism in both church and society,” Roland said. Around the world the agency supports nearly 200 health facilities in 26 countries, and missionaries serve as pastors, church planters, educators, health professionals, and social workers.
Roland noted that UMCOR not only responds to crises and disasters but is “there for the long term, providing hope and healing.” He also noted that some disasters are the result of climate change. The agency also advocates for environmental sustainability and caring for God’s creation.
Roland closed by thanking generous supporters for their donations that flow “from God’s abundant grace expressed in Jesus Christ.”
You can watch the video here, and learn more about Global Ministries on its website.