ACROSS THE STREET ~ AROUND THE WORLD
Missions Celebration Weekend is a time for us to refocus our hearts on God's call to serve. It's a reminder that missions isn't just something "out there" -- it's right here in our neighborhoods and reaching far beyond them.
We'll welcome our keynote speaker John Gargis as he shares a message called "Guilt Free Missions" and several of our mission partners will share short stories of how lives are being changed locally and globally through your prayers, generosity and service. The weekend begins with a hands-on mission event the day before, giving everyone the opportunity to serve in a tangible way.
This weekend is about celebrating what God is doing -- across the street and around the world -- and discovering how YOU can be a part of it.
Sunday, April 26
9:00am // Modern Worship
10:00-10:45am // Missions Partners Presentations
11:00am // Traditional Worship
Keynote Speaker: John Gargis
John is a multi-gifted person who has served as a church planter, a pastor, author, and business and recovery leader. His message to us will be “Guilt Free Missions.”
Missions Partners Guests
Project Crossroads - Kirk Lowe
Cold Hands Warm Hearts - Christy Via
Henderson Settlement - John Newman
Good Samaritan Center - Misty Parker
Susannah's House
Appalachia Service Project - Michael Hensley
FAITH PROMISE GIVING FOR MISSIONS
At Central UMC, we recognize and accept our role in spreading the gospel and love of Jesus Christ across the street and around the world. Over the last 30 years, many congregations have moved to Faith Promise Giving for Missions. In other words, they have taken their giving for missions out of their operating budgets. Why? Three reasons:
-
Often when times were tough financially in the life of the church, often mission line items were reduced.
-
Churches wanted their mission efforts to be more relational than simply a line item in the budget.
-
Many attendees wanted to give to missions above their current level of giving.
The Faith Promise Missions Budget is funded by money given through the Faith Promise gifts made each year during our annual Missions Celebration. Many congregations have found that more laity have enjoyed increased excitement and involvement in missions through Faith Promise Giving.
What is Faith Promise Giving?
-
A Faith Promise is simply a covenant between God and you. “I promise to trust God to give me ‘extra money’ that I can direct to missionary causes.” In a sense, you are simply making yourself a channel through which God can send money to missions. You dare to let God use your faith and your life to bless others on the mission field.
-
Faith Promises do not tie to the church budget. This is entirely “extra” giving. “I have made a pledge to our church which I intend to keep, but this is over and above that. I am not taking money away from the church budget to give to missions. I am trusting God for extra money for missions.
-
Faith Promise is very personal. It is not a pledge. There will be no names on either sections of the card. You will never be asked for your Faith Promise gift. If you make a gift by check or offering envelope and mark it Faith Promise of course you will see that amount show up on your giving statement as Faith Promise for Missions.
-
Faith Promise is a means of growing in faith. When you see how God works in this venture of faith, you learn to trust Him even more in ALL areas of your life.