MISSIONS

It is not enough to be a disciple for Jesus Christ; we are disciples who work under the power of and at the direction of the Holy Spirit to transform the world into the Kingdom of God. 
Through our connectional nature in the United Methodist Church, we provide financial support for missions of many types around the world. 
We are also involved in many ministries helping children and women and in which we work in cooperation with the poor to alleviate poverty and the effects of poverty. 
 
Below is a listing of some of the ways in which we reach beyond our doors into the world.

Angel Tree

Every year at Christmastime, members of our church family purchase and deliver presents to children who have a parent in prison in the parent’s name.  Through this ministry, the child feel a parent’s love even in the parent’s absence.  It also allows an opportunity for a relationship to develop with a family who often has not experienced the love of Christ.
For more information, check out www.angeltree.org or contact Lee Cole.

Christian Outreach Center

The Christian Outreach Center is an ecumenical body providing assistance for people who need food, shelter, clothing, or medical care and cannot afford it.  We have volunteers who work at the Center.  On the first Sunday of every month, we collect food and provided an opportunity for people to purchase food for the Food Pantry.  We provide monetary support so that rent and utility assistance can be provided or prescriptions can be purchased.  The Center also helps people get referred to appropriate Social Service Agencies. For more information, contact Anne Darnall.

Community Thanksgiving Meal

Depending on the weather, our parking lot or Social Hall is turned into a large dining area every November for a Thanksgiving meal for the homeless. In cooperation with other United Methodist Churches in the Lafayette area, a traditional Thanksgiving meal is cooked and served and musical entertainment is provided.
For more information, contact Sarah Schoeffler.

Family Promise

Through a network of churches we address the immediate needs of a homeless family and then work with the family so that they become independent.  About once every eight weeks, our Social Hall is converted to a living space and bedrooms for families who come to stay with us.  We provide meals, friendship, a safe place to stay and help the families with their needs during the week. Through the ministry of Family Promise, we work with these families to help them understand and address the underlying issues involved with their homeless situation, to obtain independence through employment or education, and to gain life skills, .For example, education in budgeting and parenting are provided.  One of our members also opens her beautiful gardens one week-end each year and there is a fundraiser for Family Promise with tours of the gardens which include tea on the veranda, musicians, and more fun activities.  The church also provides housing for the offices of Family Promise.  For more information, visit the local website, www.familypromiseacadiana.org or the national website www.nihn.org or contact Cheryl Edney.

Habitat For Humanity

Housed by the church in our Stewart Street Building, Habitat for Humanity of Acadiana works in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable housing. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged.  Volunteers provide most of the labor, and individual and corporate donors provide money and materials to build Habitat houses. Partner families themselves invest hundreds of hours of labor - "sweat equity" - into building their homes and the homes of others. Their mortgage payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more houses.  For more information, check out www.habitat.org or contact Steve Rainey.

Healing House

Located in the old parsonage next to the church, Healing House provides support and education for grieving children, their caregivers and the Acadiana community.  It is a safe place for children who have experienced the death of a loved one to express their thoughts and feelings in a variety of ways.
For more information, check out www.healing-house.org or contact Denice Broussard.

Heifer Project

Heifer Project works with communities around the world so that to people become self-sufficient. We provide funds so that animals are given to a family who is trained in the care of the animal and who pass on the gift – that is, they give the first offspring of the animal to another family, who then also passes on the gift.
For more information, check out www.heifer.org or contact Rev. Jan Holloway.

Nothing But Nets

Every 30 seconds a child in Africa dies from Malaria.  These deaths can be easily prevented and a part of this is providing a specially treated bed net for every child in Africa.  Our youth are involved in the Nothing But Nets campaign to make this happen.  A bed net only costs $10 and saves the life of a child.
For more information, contact Tom Dunstan.  To contribute, click here

Methodist Children’s Home

Through special offerings, sales of salsa and collections for school and other needs, we actively support our Louisiana Methodist Children's Home.  This home provides residential care of children and youth and support for their families in Ruston and Mandeville.  It also has in-home and out-patient services for children and their families who are experiencing crisis, emotional stress and relationship problems.
For more information, check out www.lmch.org or contact Rev. Jan Holloway.

NOMADS On a Mission Active in Divine Service

Members of the church travel and stay for several weeks a year to different areas of the country to offer their time and skills in United Methodist projects, including churches, camps, mission agencies, and local neighborhoods.
For more information, check out www.nomadsumc.org or contact Dan Handschin.

North Star United Methodist Church

We are in a covenant relationship with North Star United Methodist Church in Nikiski, Alaska.
We help financially support their pastor and also provide additional sums for a special project each year.
We have taken several mission trips to North Star and plan on doing another one soon.
For more information, contact Rev. Jan Holloway.

Louisiana Prison Chapel Foundation of Louisiana

It is not about bricks and mortar – it is about sharing Christ’s love with those in prison. This ministry is changing hearts and lives by providing chapels at all the prisons in Louisiana.
For more information, check out www.chapels.org or contact Rev. Jan Holloway.

Prison Ministry

Through Prison Fellowship and Kairos Prison ministry we take the Good News of Jesus Christ to those who many in society have forgotten.  Through these ministries, we participate in retreats, bible studies, and prayer groups with those inside the prisons.  Our children also get involved by making cards and baking cookies for those in prison.  For more information, check out www.prisonfellowship.org and www.kairosprisonministry.org or contact Keith Tucker.

Salvation Army

In partnership with the Salvation Army, we work to help low-income families in Lafayette.  In addition to providing funding, we collect used school uniforms and school supplies; work at the Salvation Army Center; and ring bells, help with getting presents for children, and make stockings at Christmas time. For more information, check out www.uss.salvationarmy.org or contact Gloria Hodges.

UMCOR Depot at Sager Brown

Located just a few miles south of our church, needed relief supplies are shipped from the Sager Brown Depot to areas all around the globe.  In addition to financial support for this mission, we collect supplies for the various kits that are needed and do mission trips to the depot to help ready these kits for shipping.  Our children have worked with this ministry during their Mission Camp in the summer.  For more information, click here or contact Sarah Schoeffler.

Wesley Campus Ministry at University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Over 75 years ago, a place was created where students at ULL could fellowship with one another, worship God, serve their community, and be disciples of Jesus Christ. Today, located in the same building for 60 years, the Wesley United Campus Ministry continues. Although the faces have changed, the vision has stayed the same for the Wesley Ministries at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette – to be a place for students to share and grow in the love of Christ.  In addition to providing financial support, we offer the students an additional place to hold events, give leadership through some of our members, and provide free lunches for the students on a regular basis.
For more information, check out www.ulwesley.com or contact Rev. Jan Holloway.