Missions
At First Church, outreach and mission opportunities abound for youth and adults alike. Below are some of the ways you can become involved in sharing God’s grace with others. Please call the church office for additional information.
“Hope is one of many words I could use to describe how First United Methodist Church makes me feel about our city, our country, our world and even my life. We are truly doing God’s work, not only within the walls of the building we call the church, but with our collective actions each and every day. This congregation gives God a face as we go out and do things that make the world a better place.” -Laine Harber
Funding Loans As Ministry to Entrepreneurs – FLAME
First Church is helping the working poor in a new way–microlending, a process by which a lender can make a small loan to women or people who lack sufficient collateral. Microloans are small and offer low interest rates and flexible repayment schedules. FUMC offers microloans through its Funding Loans As Ministry to Entrepreneurs (FLAME) ministry. FLAME works with kiva.org, a non-profit organization that facilitates small online loans between individuals and struggling small-business owners throughout the world. FLAME selects a business it wants to support and makes a loan over the Internet. Over the next several months, the borrower makes repayments to FLAME and other lenders who contributed. Then FLAME reinvests the borrower repayments into new borrowerʼs businesses. So far, FLAME has loaned approximately $1400 to forty businesspeople all over the world. The program promises to be a thriving ministry at First Church for years to come. See our lender page online! Paula Johnson is the contact person for FLAME.
Disaster Relief and Revitalization Mission Projects
First United Methodist will create a team to respond to tornadoes, or other storm related disasters when necessary. We are also engaging our teams in community revitalization work right here in our downtown area by assisting our neighbors who may lack the necessary funds or resources to paint, build a ramp, or do minor repairs, etc. on their homes. Contact Denny Gainer at gainerdenzili@yahoo.com or Anthony Falkowski
afalkowski@fumclr.org for information on how to be contacted for these projects.
Alternative Christmas Market
In 1985, the Work Area on Missions founded the “Alternative Christmas Market,” held in November to give the congregation an opportunity to purchase meaningful gifts. The Fellowship Hall is filled with market stalls offering gifts such as baskets of rice from the Arkansas Rice Depot, jewelry designs featuring a replica of a Habitat for Humanity house, or even “shares” in a water buffalo from Heifer Project International. In recent years, groups within First Church itself have established booths where shoppers may purchase shares in Ozark Mission Project, or make contributions to LIFT or the Stephen Ministry in honor of a friend or family member. Volunteer! Contact Steve Copley, Mission Committee Chair, scopley438@aol.com or Patty Barker, Mission Committee Vice Chair, at pbarker7215@yahoo.com.
FUMC Green Team
The FUMC Green Team is a diverse group of individuals from all ages and backgrounds, having at least one thing in common among all members: the belief that being good stewards of our natural resources and the environment is an important part of Christian stewardship. Green team members support efforts within the church to promote recycling, conserve resources, and help ensure that future generations will have access to clean water, clean air, and beautiful natural spaces to enjoy. In addition to ongoing efforts within the church, such as recycling and education, Green Team members are involved in special projects throughout the year. For more information or to volunteer, contact Kathy Webb at Kathy@lillysdimsum.com.
Faith Promise
Since its inception in 1988, Faith Promise has been a program to alleviate hunger. Church members pledge money annually “on faith” with members striving to meet personal pledge goals. Often participants will share praise-worthy stories of how they have been enabled through faith to meet their goals. In recent years, Faith Promise has coincided with the Lenten season and its message of renewal and giving, all to aid the hungry both locally and globally. Contact Steve Copley, Mission Committee Chair, scopley438@aol.com.
Youth Mission – Ozark Mission Project (OMP)
Founded in 1986, the original vision for Ozark Mission Project was a small camp for young people who were dedicated to improve a community by donating labor during summer vacation. First Church youth and adult leaders participated in the inaugural camp and have participated every year since.
OMP has grown to encompass about 12 camps each summer located in various places around the state. Referrals come through the state Department of Health and Human Services and Area Agencies on Aging. First Church members support OMP by donating tools and materials as well as camp fees for some campers. Each year the UMY (United Methodist Youth) sells shares of OMP “stocks” which entitles church members to receive postcards and other updates from the campers. Breaking down social barriers, doing hard physical work and nightly sharing and worship expose campers to the transcending power of both faith and good works.