Leap Into Mission!

Change the World

What if…on one weekend all around the world, United Methodists came together to work with their local communities? What if…as we serve people locally, we unite globally to eliminate a preventable, treatable disease that kills one child every 30 seconds? 
 
Would you help?
 
 
Jesus calls us to love and serve our neighbors. Jesus is calling us all into mission and ministry in our communities.
Change the World—Starting With Your Community
On April 24-25, 2010, faithful Christians around the world are invited to participate in Change the World, a weekend event that coincides with World Malaria Day on Sunday, April 25. Congregations are invited to schedule a community-based workday, and use World Malaria Day sermon starters on Sunday. A special offering is encouraged to support the fight against malaria.
 
“Even our smallest churches can have incredible impact when they leave their four walls to serve the needs of their neighbors, alongside of their neighbors,” says Rev. Mike Slaughter, lead pastor at Ginghamsburg UMC and author of Change the World: Recovering the Mission and Message of Jesus.
 
See the Change the World introduction video, featuring Rev. Mike Slaughter:
 
"Leap" into Mission
In the New England Conference, 2010 has been declared a “Mission Leap” year, where every congregation, and every person in each congregation, is encouraged to participate in one (or one additional) hands-on mission project in 2010.
       
     “This Change the World event is the perfect opportunity for our congregations to join the effort to move outside our church walls and serve the needs of our communities,” commented Bishop Peter Weaver of the New England Conference.
     “Imagine the impact of more than 600 churches in Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont all joining hearts and hands in their communities to work with and serve our neighbors. Multiply this by churches across the globe, and together we can truly transform the world.”
                    
 
It's easy to get started. First, consider how your congregation currently impacts its community. Do you have a food pantry, a clothing closet, an ESL program, a tutoring program, etc.? To get involved in the Change The World day of service, simply schedule an activity for either an existing or new outreach ministry on either April 24 or 25, 2010.
 
To support World Malaria Day as part of your weekend, conduct an activity that will help raise awareness and funds that will change lives in Africa. Focus Sunday, April 25th services on fighting malaria, honoring Christ's call to heal the sick and help those in need.
Resources available 
For ideas and resources on ways your congregation can leap into mission in your community, visit www.neumc.org/missionleap. There are a wide variety of ideas for mission activities for all ages and ability levels – from children, to young adults, to those in the middle years of life, to even the eldest members of your community! 
 
To find Change the World and World Malaria Day resources, go to www.rethinkchurch.org/changetheworld. Here you will find materials and support for your activities, including:
  • Videos
  • Customizable Posters and Flyers
  • Advertisements
  • Web Banners
  • Sermon Starters
  • Worship Graphics
  • Bulletin Covers
  • Sample Press Releases
…and more!
Sharing the stories
Get inspired by stories from our New England churches on how they are participating in the Change The World weekend!
 
We hope your congregation will extend your mission work and participate in the call to Leap into Mission.   And no matter when you undertake a mission project this year, we invite you to share what your congregation is doing. We are collecting stories from around the conference - we want to hear and to share what God is doing in your congregation and community.
 
Click Here to share a brief story about a mission activity in your church.

Get involved! Change the world!