Being a part of Missions Ministry offers endless adventures in serving God. We extend the work of the Lord past the church walls into the community and world in a number of ways. The Mission Building efforts include local projects such as providing minor home repairs, painting, yard work, etc., for those less fortunate. As Missions Support, we collect eyeglasses, hearing aids, and other medical items for recycling to others in need.

We help gather items for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) kits, assist in the Medical Bridges project that prepares supplies shipped to medical units and teams throughout the world, and are ready to serve during local disaster response.

With Mission Communication, we help identify needs in our country and state such as the current request for portable handicapped ramps. Throughout the year, Mission Trips lasting a day or several days, near or far away, are available to those interested in our Partners in Mission connection. These trips provide spiritual enlightenment as well as experience with different cultures, customs, and languages. (Scholarships are possible for eligible, first time mission trip participants.) As part of the trips, our Mission Worship efforts provide Bible Schools for children of the areas visited, while providing spiritual support for team members (daily devotionals, shared prayer time, prayer partners).

For the local church, an ongoing Mission Study is offered from the first hand experiences, testimonies, and programs shared by the returning mission team members. Annually, a Sunday is designated to celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of the mission work of that year.

New mission efforts will include supporting a missionary on a long-term assignment in the field. Also, Missions will continue its support of related mission work by other Aldersgate UMC groups (such as the Heifer Project, Crop Walk, UMARMY, UMMen, UMWomen, HIS and youth ministry projects).

HIS Ministry

Volunteers from our church staff many of the positions at the local community ministry, HIS, that includes a food pantry, delivery of foods to those in need, a resale shop, transportation service to doctors appointments, and a "Providers" program to look in on many who live alone. Also offered are immunizations for children and adults, support groups, on-site mammograms, health education programs and assistance, and Barbara's House, which is a day-care ministry to aging people that provides family caretakers some much needed time off. Aldersgate UMC also provides financial assistance and sponsors annual food and clothing drives for this ministry.

UMARMY

UMARMY is an acronym which stands for United Methodist Action Reach-out Mission by Youth. This organization provides Christ centered, quality youth work camps that promote spiritual growth and leadership development in youth. Through mission, worship and fellowship, these participants combine their strengths to meet home repair and maintenance needs of those unable to help themselves. It is for students who have completed at least one year of High School. Since 1995, Aldersgate UMC has sponsored a team of youth and adults so they may participate in this mission experience and has hosted UMARMY teams to work in our local community.