MISSIONS GIVING TEAM
Through our Work Area on Missions giving, we provide regular financial support to:
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Mission Central: Many of our youth and adults volunteer for hands-on work at Mission Central headquarters in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.
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United Methodist Committe on Relief (UMCOR) As they respond to natural disasters and human suffering all over the country, We provide Mission Central and UMCOR with not only financial support but also material support in the form of flood buckets (buckets packed with emergency supplies proven to be most needed in flood disaster areas), school kits and health kits.
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Red Bird Mission: Red Bird is one of three missionary conferences of the United Methodist Church in the United States. Red Bird Missionary Conference has 23 churches and 4 outreach centers in eight southeastern Kentucky counties. Two of these counties are listed as among the ten poorest in the country. Grace Church has had a long time relationship with Red Bird.-Through the years we have helped to support one of the missionary pastors, Rev. Bob Landis, now retired, the Red Bird Mission School- a Christian school for K -12 and the Red Bird Health Clinic. The missions team has a wonderful educational DVD about Red Bird that is available for any member to borrow.
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Every other summer, our older Grace Church youth participate in a life-changing construction mission trip to make homes warmer, safer and drier in impoverished areas of central Appalachia. 2011 will be our next ASP trip.
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Rev. Daniel Paul Wilcox is a missionary with the Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church serving as pastor with Unalaska UMC in the Alaska United Methodist Conference.
Unalaska UMC is unique in its setting as well as its congregation. It is located on a small island in the Aleutian archipelago, almost 800 miles and a three hour plane ride from the nearest hospital, shopping center and recreational options. Unalaska is the western most UMC in the U.S. and the only mainline denomination on the island.
Most of the economic basis for the community is the fishing industry, therefore much of Dan’s ministry is to a heavily industrial community that includes populations of Hispanic, African and many Pacific Rim people groups, including the Philippines, Samoa, Korea and Japan. At this point the congregational membership consists mostly of support professionals – teachers, public safety officers and persons in the service industry. Dan, along with wife Kris-Ann, also ordained clergy and a BGM missionary, are focusing on getting to know the congregation and community and discerning God’s vision and desire for Unalaska.
Each Wednesday the church has 25-40 kids participating in the ‘Kids Night Out’ Program. They are fed and then learn about a Biblical character through storytelling, drama, games, crafts and other activities. This ministry reaches beyond the church membership and into various parts of the community. ”It has become a highlight of the week as we see God working in the lives of the children, many of whom do not attend a church regularly.”
The church also sponsors a quarterly rummage sale, Second Blessings, a ministry as well as a fund-raiser. Items are not priced so donations are accepted as people are able. It is a major opportunity to meet people from every part of the island’s population and connect with them in ways that wouldn’t be available otherwise.
Born in Jersey Shore, PA, Dan graduated from Eastern University in PA with a BA in Biblical Studies and Theology. He earned his Master of Divinity from Asbury Seminary in KY and received his ordination in 2003. Dan served in churches in his home conference of Central Pennsylvania and in various ministries while attending seminary before his appointment to Unalaska. Dan and Kris-Ann are the parents of three young children.
Click here to view the Unalaska News.
Today’s Testimony by Thomas Coyle