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Who We areThe United Methodist Mission Church in Honduras is a dynamic, growing network of 12 congregations. The following declarations of the mission and vision was developed by the Ministry Council in February, 2004. It consists of three sections: Biblical Perspective: What do we have to do? The Context: Where are we now? Vision, Value and Mission: What are we? BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE: What do we have to do?Matthew 28:19 (Great Commission) Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and made them my disciples baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Isaiah 62:10 (Restoration of the Temple) People of Jerusalem, go out of the city and build a road for your returning people! Prepare a highway; clear of stones! Put up a signal so that the nations can know. Hebrews 4:16 (Divine Grace) Let us have confidence, then, and approach God’s throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it. 1 Kings 18:37 (Facing Opposition) Answer me, Lord, answer me, so that this people will know that you, the Lord, are God and that you are bringing them back to yourself. CONTEXT: Where are we?Missional Context by Superintendent Roberto Peña Honduras is the geographical heart of Central America. A land of truncated dreams and hopes, a paradise discovered by Spanish Conquerors almost 500 years ago, is today a country marked by its extreme poverty and abused because of its natural riches. Estimated population in Honduras is 6,500,000 distributed in 18 departments and 299 municipal regions and more than 2,300 villages. Poverty, unemployment, low salaries, high cost of living are the causes why thousands of Hondurans migrate to the United States, the majority illegally, and risking their own lives. This at the same time causes chaos and family disintegration. The lack of adequate health services is the cause of infant mortality, people infected with HIV, untreated respiratory diseases and other conditions. There are also limited educational opportunities. The total population’s illiteracy level is 32%. Especially in rural areas, 18% of childhood drop out of first grade, and 6 out of every 10 children finish primary school (6th grade). Housing deficit is another serious problem making it difficult for a typical Honduran to obtain a legalized property. The United Methodist Mission in Honduras yearns to contribute to the awakening of the nightmare of poverty and other social illnesses and make a significant contribution to the quality of life in the Honduran society in the following areas: academic, employment, family social issues, and also facilitate a way for the people to have an adequate relationship with the Lord. Actually we have 12 congregations and two sites of operation. Our human resources are valuable: 10 pastors and/or missionaries and 6 pastoral collaborators who are working at national level in our different areas of work. Our membership is approximately 500 people and average assistance at main worship service is approximately 1,250 people. In the majority of our churches there is an organized group of united women and a youth society who have participated in different events in other countries. The Mission has plainly identified itself with children’s needs in the area of education as well as in the area of health. The church facilitates children’s education by providing registration, school supplies and uniforms. The Mission has developed ministries in the areas of health which include a Clinic, a Children’s Nutrition Center, connection with Health Centers and local doctors and some churches even have designated funds to help obtain medicines for those people who do not have the mean to obtain them. The Mission, intentionally continues trying to maintain leadership development through diverse ways. We are facing big challenges, but our hope is in the Lord that He will continue to provide so that the grace of God would be extended. VISION, VALUES AND MISSION: What Are We?Vision: A church founded in Jesus Christ and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, that is sensitive, inclusive and committed to the practices and teachings of the values of the Kingdom of God and Wesleyan traditions and responds to the Honduran reality. Mission: 1. To celebrate the faith in Jesus Christ 2. To preach the Kingdom of God 3. To walk together 4. To serve the Honduran people Values: What we do in accordance to our beliefs of the truth. Our faith in Jesus Christ is essential in our lives. Our openness and inclusiveness for the grace of others. Our ecumenical involvement in maintaining and consolidating our unity within the diversity of God Our belief that each person is part of God’s creation, with the capacity to think and decide its own fundamental rights (Housing, health, education, work, etc.) and to be redeemed. Our commitment to God’s creation as his servants Our historic relationship with the MCCA and partners in mission : CIEMAL, CCD, CLAI, CTHE, CMI. Our partnership with all human beings and the realization that we are all equal in the eyes of God. Our struggle and commitment with women and children; and their presence and participation in the life and mission of the faith community. Our respect for the culture (folklore, participation in the spaces of societies); the rights to education of all at the different levels. Our care and accompaniment of people who are denied social benefits; and our condemnation of all form discrimination by race, class or gender. Our opposition to all forms of violence. Therefore, our church is committed to be the yeast and prophetic voice in the midst of the society that we serve. Therefore; our church is committed to struggle against the vices of drugs, alcoholism, prostitution and violence that threatens to destroy humankind. We commit ourselves to bring closer to our world the Kingdom of God. |
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This page was last updated on Saturday April 19, 2008.
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