Welcome to the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference global ministries website! Our purpose is to encourage individuals and local congregations in the EPA Conference to get more involved in Christian mission through the United Methodist Church – both locally and globally.
Our desire is to encourage
- education about mission (through books, magazines, workshops, etc.)
- education in mission (through short-term and long-term missionary involvement)
- education through mission giving (by supporting missionaries as individuals and as congregations, by giving to "The Advance", etc.)
The four mission goals of the General Board of Global Ministries are:
1. Make Disciples of Jesus Christ
We will witness by word and deed among those who haven't heard or heeded the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We will initiate, facilitate, and support the creation and development of communities of faith that seek, welcome and gather persons into the body of Christ and challenge them to Christian discipleship. Where direct proclamation is not permitted, a caring presence becomes the means of Christian witness.
2. Strengthen, Develop and Renew Christian Congregations and Communities
We will work mutually with mission partners in common growth and development of spiritual life, worship, witness and service.
3. Alleviate Human Suffering
We will help to initiate, strengthen and support ministries to the spiritual, physical, emotional and social needs of people.
4. Seek Justice, Freedom and Peace
We will participate with people oppressed by unjust economic, political and social systems in programs that seek to build just, free and peaceful societies.
Each of these goals is implemented through specific program strategies approved by the board of directors and carried out in cooperation with annual conferences and other mission partners across the global connection.
See John E. Nuessle, Mission: Reaching the World, Nashville: Cokesbury, 2004. This booklet is part of the Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation series.
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