Missions: Global "Across the Seas"
United Methodist Committee on Relief
First United Methodist Church of Coppell is involved in disaster relief internationally through UMCOR, United Methodist Committee On Relief. Items are collected on a regular basis for flood clean-up buckets, health kits, baby layettes and sewing kits
For more information about UMCOR, click on http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/.
Microfinance/Microcredit
In 2006 FUMC Coppell began a new Mission in the area of Microfinance/Microcredit. With this tool the super poor (Who have never had credit) have the ability to get small loans that provide the first steps out of poverty. Many loans are to woman who start small businesses and use the profits to feed, clothe and educate their children. These loans have proven to be very reliable with an average repayment rate exceeding 98%. 2005 was designated the "International Year of Microcredit" by the United Nations. The founder of the first Microcredit bank won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. In 2007 FUMC raised $7,500 for the effort. This check was given to our missionary Rev. Wes Magruder during his visit to our church on July 2nd and was donated to RELUFA, a microcredit organization in Cameroon, Africa. In 2008 we raised $6,500 for microfinance and established an account with KIVA. KIVA is a pioneer and leader in using the intranet as a vehicle for microloans. It allows us to make loans directly to individuals through KIVA approved bank partners world wide using PayPal. As the loans are repaid to us through PayPal and KIVA, we can re-loan the money to new people. Please visit the KIVA link below to see the FUMC site. Click on the FUMC link there and visit "Loans" to see the individuals and groups around the globe we at FUMC are helping to break the chains of poverty.
Click HERE for the latest report on our dollars at work with RELUFA
For more information about Microfinance/Microcredit, click on:
http://kbyutv.org/smallfortunes/
http://www.relufa.org/reception1.htm
http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2006/press.html
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6259836
Costa Rica Mission Trip
This working trip has been a part of our congregation for close to 10 years. During these trips churches have been built, church and school repaired, Vacation Bible School for children staffed. All meals and worship are shared together. Strong relationships between the congregations have been built and maintained.FUMC Coppell sent a team of 18 adults to Costa Rica, March 15-22, 2008. The work site was in the vicinity of Ciudad Quesada, Costa Rica. Our 2009 trip will be early June.
If you are interested or want more information on the trip, please contact Amanda Glassey (aglassey@linbeck.com) or Billy Faught (billy.faught@verizon.net).
Click here to read the 2008 Journal.
The purpose of this team is to radiate the love of Jesus Christ while serving Him in whatever capacity we have been called to serve. We do not go just to complete a task such as building a church, providing medical care, holding a Bible School, or responding to a disaster. Worthy as the task may be, we have a higher purpose, which is to honor God, share Christian love, and enjoy God’s wonderful people. Our task must always be secondary to our purpose. Task and purpose are closely related, and both should be accomplished in order that Jesus Christ will be lifted up by all we as disciples do as mission volunteers and servants.
For more information about Costa Rica, click on http://www.costaricamethodist.org/. (This is the link to the Methodist Center run by Marion and Mary Woods who are the local missionaries we work with.)
Africa Trip
FUMC Coppell had an exciting new missions opportunity last summer. A team of seven went to South Africa from June 30-July 29, 2008 to serve people in one of the areas most devastated by HIV/AIDS and poverty. The primary purpose of this trip was to extend the Grace and Hope of Jesus Christ in a tangible way that meets a substantial need. We served through the organization, God’s Golden Acre which is home to over 90 children who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS or related violence. Throughout our month long stay, the team built a house for a family in need through an outreach of GGA called Houses of Hope, loved on children at the orphanage, provided weekly VBS-type activities, helped with a food drop, and learned more about the many complex issues involved in the HIV/AIDS pandemic. There were also fun opportunities in which we immersed ourselves in Zulu and South African culture, including a Safari and weekend trip to the Drankensburg Mountains!
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