At HUMC we believe strongly in being the ‘hands and feet’ of Jesus to our hurting world. We do this in a variety of ways.
Our Missions Team has ongoing projects that are a part of our local church:
Youth Services Center This outreach program has touched many hearts in our church. The Youth Services Center is just down the highway from our church. It is a 24-hour emergency shelter for abused, neglected, runaway and dependent children from ages 6 to 18. The children are placed by the courts (law enforcement and juvenile probation) or Division of Family & Children. These kids' lives have been such a struggle, and this placement is another frightening change. Remember them in your prayers. Every Sunday morning, volunteers from HUMC go to YSC and talk to them about Jesus Christ, and our teens plan and attend parties for them several times a year.
The Missions team has established a clothing ministry (Clothing Ministry) for those who need clothes for every day and for those who might need clothes for employment or job interviews (Career Closet - see below). Please consider donating any gently-used clothing and bedding to this ministry. Items may be dropped off in the brown drop off bin located on the north side of the church, next to the Gathering Place. Please make sure they are clean and there are no stains, rips or tears. If you are aware of anyone that could benefit from this ministry (i.e., single parents, persons losing job, recovering from a house fire, etc.), please contact Sherry Myers. Could you serve in this ministry? Sorting, washing, carrying, delivering? Perhaps your small group, family or Sunday School class would like to serve. There is never a shortage of service to be done. Several serve nearly every Saturday morning from 9-12. Some serve by washing and repairing clothing from their homes. If you'd like to join us, show up on Saturday morning, or contact Sherry Myers at missions@huntertownumc.org Our HUMC Food Bank serves many families twice a month. The Food Bank gives out food on the 2nd Tuesday and last Saturday of the month from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at the Third Place. This is a change from the 2nd and 4th Tuesday that has occurred for many years. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact email Dawn Merryman at Merryman201@verizon.net. New opportunities for service are available from serving a light breakfast, having coffee with folks while they wait, carrying items to cars, to assisting with food and clothing distribution. All ages welcome to assist. Donation of items for the food bank can be put in the large blue barrel by the elevator.
The Career Closet is an outreach ministry for women and men where they may select gently used professional clothing. Clothing to assist them in projecting a positive
image for an employment interview, the weekly workplace, or for those special, dressy occasions.
We provide the clothes and our clients present the self-confidence and pride that comes when they are
appropriately dressed for an interview and for going out in today’s business world.
We will assist each client in selecting attire for two interviews and five complete outfits for a week in the
workplace taking into consideration their style and the dress requirements of the position. All clothing is free of charge and donated by people who care … from their closet to yours!
Career Closet Contact Information: By Appointment Only
Huntertown United Methodist Church
Contact: Marcia Holmes
16021 Lima Road
Huntertown, IN 46748
Phone: 260-637-3798
Fax: 260-637-0036
Email: careercloset@huntertownumc.org
Used cell phones. Our youth are asking that these be collected and recycled for environmental uses. Some phones will even earn funds for the youth program. Place in missions box in coatroom off of the narthex.
Area missions we support and participate in:
Fort Wayne Rescue Mission
Our men’s ministry team is going to the Rescue Mission monthly to serve and sometimes prepare meals. Keep checking the bulletin and sign ups for information on how you can be a part of this ministry.
A Hope Center (Pregnancy & Relationship Resources).
Do you enjoy listening? At a Hope Center our volunteers listen to stories of pain as clients share their stories. We hear confusion as individuals are in the valley of decisions. We sense a desire for hope and healing. Do you feel called to help young people in their choice for life? Have you been afraid you might not have the "right" words to say? Remember, we are first about listening. The simple truth is that if we listen - with our whole heart - our Lord will give us the words to say. Because of a 40% increase in client visits, there is an URGENT need for male and female volunteer advocates, nurses and receptionists. Volunteer opportunities require a time commitment of two or four hours every week or every other week. Advocacy training sessions occur at various times throughout the year. Call 260-422-3544 for an application form today. Make a difference in the life of a pregnant client or young client. Listen.
Habitat for Humanity HUMC participates regularly in building a house for someone through Habitat for Humanity. The past few years HUMC has sponsored a whole day, providing all the food and labor that one day. For more information on how to serve, visit their website at http://www.fortwaynehabitat.org.
Missionaries our church family supports:
Ken and Debbie Vance, Zambia
The Reverend Kenneth (Ken) E. Vance, Jr. is a missionary serving as Director of the Likasi Pastor's School in Ndola, Zambia, teaching at the Kafakumba Pastor's School and serving as pastor of the Ndola Town Center United Methodist Church.
Along with his administrative, teaching and pastoral responsibilities, Ken has also been involved with the Wings of the Morning Flight Ministry. The flight ministry, originally based in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has a forty-five year history, and has flown millions of miles while ministering to those in need, including emergency flights in dangerous and often wartime situations, and countless lives saved through the delivery of vaccines and medical supplies. Doctors and nurses covering over 60 clinics and two hospitals have been expressions of the purpose, ministry, and motivation of God’s love.
Ken shares, “This is a new day in mission! During our term God has renewed our vision and given a clear leading for our future in Africa. It is time that we enable and empower the church in Africa to stand on its own. This is being made possible through agricultural (banana plantations) and other means. Positive results are to be found in projects starting to generate funds to secure their future. This vision is also shared in Wings of the Morning as well as the Kafakumba and Likasi Pastors’ Schools.”
A clergy member of the North Indiana Annual Conference, Rev. Vance served as pastor of Richland Chapel United Methodist Church in Converse, Indiana before beginning his service in Africa. He was also pastor for five years at Highland Avenue United Methodist Church in the North Indiana Conference.
Born in Lafayette, Indiana, Ken was active in his church during high school as vice president of the Methodist Youth Fellowship as well as representing young people at his local church on the community board. A licensed pilot, Ken holds a B.A. from Ball State University in Muncie, IN, and Master’s of Theology from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH.
Ken and wife Deborah are the parents of two children Stacie and Joshua.
Beverly Ott, Benin and Togo
ECHOPPE is a program that provides loans to women in Togo and Benin to help them run small businesses. Bev Ott and her husband, Oliver Hauville, conceived the ECHOPPE project from their experiences with urban poverty in Africa.
ECHOPPE provides women up to four loans, which is paid back with interest. The $28 loans are a significant sum by their standards. One woman was selling food on the street. With her first loan, she rented space in a better location for her business; with the second loan, she bought boxes to protect her wares from flies.
The Artisan's Program is another part of ECHOPPE. Four stores, Artisans du Soleil (Artisans of the Sun), have been established to buy artisans' products. With funding from the French government, they can pay the artist a fair price. The stores, located in Benin and Togo, carry batik, or hand-dyed and printed fabric, as well as clothing, sculptures, stuffed animals and bags.
After paying back the loans, the women are part of a mutual, an organization with a fund of money the members can draw from when in need. The mutual also educates its members about women's rights. The mutual is maintained by the women themselves.
Rosalie Bowker, South Korea
Rosalie Bowker is a missionary of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church serving in South Korea.
Currently Rosalie teaches organ and graduate courses in church service playing, organ pedagogy and organ seminar at Mokwon University in Taejon. Also, she teaches piano to some missionary children and serves as organist for Central Methodist Church in Taejon. She is a board member of the Taejon Christian Social Welfare Center, Holston Girls' Junior and Senior High School in Taejon and the Taejon Christian International School. She has taught English diction at Mokwon University and has played for some of the university's chapel services.
Since May 1998, Rosalie has served as a board member for the Social Welfare Foundation of the Korean Methodist Church.
From 1976-1985, she taught organ in the church music departments at Yonsei University and Ewha Women's University in Seoul in addition to her responsibilities in Taejon. From 1966-70, she taught piano, harmony and conducting at Pai Chai College in Taejon, advised a high school English club and taught an adult English conversation group.
A native of rural Indiana, Rosalie received a bachelor of arts degree in music from Taylor University in Upland, IN, a master's degree in music from Butler University and a master's degree in ministry in church music from Christian Theological Seminary - both in Indianapolis. She has been a public school and private music teacher, an employment counselor and a religious education teacher.
HUM Missions Trips:
Youth and Adult Mission Trips were taken to Kingston, TN, Chicago, IL and Gulfport, MS in 2007. Look for information concerning 2008 trips.
Other United Methodist missions you might be interested in:
Mission Opportunities Listing - Indiana Area Office
United Methodist Volunteers in Mission
North Indiana Conference Mission Section
United Methodist Volunteers In Mission of the North Central Jurisdiction