Global Missions
By supporting ministries such as the Advance, UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) and GBGM (General Board of Global Ministries), we have an opportunity to be involved in mission and service around the world from right here at St. Luke UMC! Financial support through the apportionment, material support through donation and collection efforts, and most importantly spiritual support through the ministry of prayer - all of these acts allow us to not only spread the good news of Jesus Christ but to also be "hands and feet" worldwide. Below are some of the global ministry efforts we directly support at St. Luke UMC
- MERCI (website) - Located in Goldsboro, NC, MERCI (Marion Edwards Recovery Center Initiative) is the primary disaster response and disaster relief operations site for the North Carolina Conference. Two large warehouses provide storage space for building supplies, flood buckets, health kits and other materials that can be packed and shipped to disaster sites around the world. MERCI also houses donations for internationl ministries as well including ZOE Ministry, textbooks for Liberia and clothing for Armenia. Housing is available for short-term mission teams.
- ZOE Ministries (website) - Origianlly begun as a ministry to AIDS orphans in Zimbabwe, ZOE has expanded its work into Zambia, Kenya and Rwanda. Their ministries include financial support for education, AIDS education and small-business development through collective groups. ZOE Ministry was started by a pastor from the North Carolina Conference, the Rev. Greg Jenks.
- Shana Harrison - Crescendo Foundation (website) - Shana is serving as the Executive Director of the Crescendo Foundation located in Santiago, Chile (formerly La Esperanza). Crescendo offers a sheltered workshop and group home for adults with intellectual disabilities. Crescendo strives to find the balance between giving these adults the protection that they need while simultaneously integrating them into society as much as possible.
- Herbert and Mary Zigbuo - Liberia - Herbert is the coordinator for the Liberian UMC Vocational Skill Training Unit that will establish Christ-centered vocational skill training opportunities for youth and young adults who were unable to attend school. The first center is located at the Gbarnga United Methodist School in rural central Liberia. Mary is working with the School for the Deaf program to expand into vocational training for the deaf, mute and blind as well as those who are victims of polio
- Frido Kinkolenge - Liberia - Frido's particular focus is with the Liberian ex-combatant children ministry. With intensive counseling, life-skills training and love, Frido is helping to reintegrate these young people into the community through education in drug-rehabilitation and trauma healing workshops. Trainees in the program learn skills such as soap-making, computer literacy, typing, pastry making and graphic arts.