Missions
Since the inception of Christendom and since the founding of the Methodist denomination, our goal has been to follow the word of God as taught to us by Jesus Christ.
One of the basic tenants of Christ's teachings was that we care about, and that we care for, all of God's children. As, Methodists, we try to follow that principle through our missions and outreach program.
At Christ United Methodist Church, our outreach program is coordinated and assisted by the Missions Team. There are twelve members of that team. They meet once a month for a regular planning meeting and as many more times as are required by the projects that are undertaken.
The outreach and mission projects that we support are intended to provide financial aid, personal assistance, understanding, hope, and encouragement to people in need wherever they may be. Some of our work is with our own family -- members of the Christ Church congregation. Some is for people in the greater Shreveport area. Some is for people in other parts of the United States. And some is for people who are hurting in a tiny village in some far corner of the world.
Many mission projects are operated by the Methodist Church at large, that is the Global Board of Missions, The United Methodist Committee on Overseas Relief, etc. Those operations are funded and conducted through the state and national organizations of the "Connectional Church."
There are many other mission projects and outreach programs that are planned and carried out by people here in our local church. In that regard, Christ Methodist is a very active congregation!
Community Awareness - On the 3rd Sunday of each month, a local mission project is presented during the worship service. After the presentation, the congregation is invited to give their "change to make a change" to support the project. Some of the local projects include: Northwest Louisiana Food Bank, Providence House, Samaritan Counseling Center, Faith UMC Neighborhood Outreach, YWCA, Gideon's International, Shreveport/Bossier Rescue Mission, and Christian Services.
Paint Your Heart Out - Each May, the city of Shreveport sponsors Paint Your Heart Out. This is a project to help paint houses of those in need. Christ UMC has been participating in this for 10 Years.
Missionary Support - Christ UMC is currently sponsoring two missionaries. One is Sebastian Ujereh. He is serving in Senegal, Africa. Our other missionary is Connie Wiech. Connie is serving in Taipei, Taiwan.
Operation Christmas Child - This is Franklin Graham's outreach to children around the world. Christ UMC each year prepares shoe boxes filled with toys and things for boys and girls. These boxes are delivered so that children around the world have something for Christmas.
Angel Tree - Supporting the Methodist Children's Home in Ruston is a vital part of our mission work. Members are given the opportunity to purchase a Christmas gift for one of the children at the home.
Flood Buckets - The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Depot at Baldwin, Louisiana provides assistance in times of disaster. Tropical storms and hurricanes have left many homes damaged and people's lives uprooted. UMCOR provides flood buckets to assist in flood buckets for UMCOR
Indoor Sports - A group of severely handicapped people who meet once a month in our church to enjoy fellowship and food.
Heifer Project International - Heifer Project International is a worldwide project to provide food for the hungry. Youth from Christ UMC have traveled to Arkansas to participate in one of their projects.
Prison Angel Tree - This mission opportunity provides Christmas presents for children whose parents are in prison. Christ UMC has participated in this since 2002.
Prayer Quilt Ministry - Gives Support ToTroops - This mission opportunity provides a pocket prayer square to troops in Iraq. These prayer squares have a small label sewn on that identifies who the square is being given to. They have about 15-25 ties that are tied by members of CUMC (and others). As the tie is being tied, the person says a prayer especially for the service person to whom it is going to. Many of the service men have written letters saying how much it means to them to know that persons they don't even know are praying for them.