Missions
Bolivia
Rachel Parsons Tenorio is a missionary in Ixiamax, Bolivia. This frontier town in the Amazonian basin and rain forest is the home to a mixture of native jungle tribes and Andean indigenous people who have migrated from the mountainous area of Bolivia. Rachel's hope is to empower these people to make better lives for themselves with a firm Christian foundation. By showing God's love in practical ways, Rachel hopes to not only meet spiritual needs, but physical and social needs as well.
First United Methodist Church is currently helping Rachel and her husband, Mateo, build a home adjacent to the mission campus. Rachel was raised in First United Methodist Church and has worked in Bolivia over five years. Rachel and Mateo both work for Servants in Faith and Technology, SIFAT, which is based in Lineville, Alabama.
Ganta, Africa
Our church began supporting the Ganta Africa School Project in 1988. Thus began the many projects to support the school, such as making school bags and filling them with school supplies for the students. A scholarship program was also begun to assist the many students unable to meet the tuition requirement. The Ganta complex consists of 600 acres, which is not only home to the grade school, high school, and gymnasium, but also a leper colony, and the Ganta Hospital which includes an eye clinic and school of nursing.
In 2008 FUMC sent a team to Ganta for the first time since 1988. They saw firsthand the remains of the civil war devastation, but also the rebuilding of not only Ganta School but of the entire country. They met the native born principal who was educated and living in the U.S. when she received the mission call to return to her native land.
Returning to Goshen, the team sought to renew our commitment to the Ganta School Project by sending supplies to complete a much needed chemistry lab for the high school, books to create a grade school library, and medical supplies for the Ganta Hospital. We hope to again have a team from FUMC return to the Ganta School Project in 2012.
Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
The Boundary Waters Canoe Trip ministry was initiated five years ago to share with the youth of Bashor Children's Home the wonderful creation of our Lord. Since that time we have learned that everyone who participates experience their lives being changed. We are currently taking eight youths and eight adults to northern Minnesota for this adventure.
Goshen Interfaith Hospitality Network
"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me". Matthew 25:40
One of our church's local mission efforts is to partner with the Goshen Interfaith
Hospitality Network (GIHN). GIHN is Goshen's homeless shelter. Goshen Interfaith
is based on a national model. The very first Interfaith Hospitality Network opened
its doors in 1986 in Union County, New Jersey. Since that time, the Interfaith
Hospitality Network concept has spread to 40 states, with over 140 networks in
operation - 4 in Indiana - and many more in development.
In 1995 Goshen's Interfaith Hospitality Network came into being with the assistance of the national program. It exists as a freestanding ministry dependent on the financial gifts of individuals, churches, and businesses for its operational funds. Each year GIHN provides shelter for 35 - 45 homeless families.
Like all of the networks, GIHN's primary program is to show Jesus' love by providing shelter to local homeless families. From 7AM until 5PM resident guests have access to GIHN's day center at 105 S. 3rd Street. At 5PM GIHN provides transportation to one of the 18 local host/partner churches for a ministry of hospitality - an evening meal, conversation with church volunteers, a safe place to sleep, and breakfast. At 7AM return transportation is provided to the day center.
Our church is a partner church with Goshen City Church of the Brethren - they
provide the building and we provide the volunteers. Volunteer opportunities include
preparing a meal, being an evening host (conversation, playing with the children,
etc), or staying overnight. Volunteers work in groups of two or more and generally
volunteer 4 evenings per year.
To volunteer for this ministry, please call or email Linda Russell or Gwen Stutzman.
Linda Russell
JDL801@hotmail.com
533-3399 evening
535-0780 daytime
Gwen Stutzman
gwen.stutzman@Century21.com
533-8213 evening
596-9863 daytime
For further information check out:
www.gosheninterfaith.org - Local program
www.familypromise.org - National program
Prison Ministry
We were called to this ministry in May of this past year. Since then we have experienced a growth in the number of our inmates to between 8-12 men. We meet every Thursday. The ministry is a two-hour Bible study using DVD videos to vary the approach. There are two of us from this church along with two others that minister to these men. They are truly thankful and appreciative of our visits.
Christmas Gift Ministry
The Christmas Gift Ministry is about bringing hope to families in the season where so many see a desolate, cold and dark place. Our mission is to provide gifts to our local community by providing gifts of love, food, gas cards, letters of encouragement, and a Bible, so that all may read and know of the light that God has brought. For more information, please contact Betty Whitt at 295-2673 or 238-4299.
Discretionary Fund
The Discretionary Fund is a fund to help church families with financial needs. We receive donations outside of the church budget of about $25,000 per year, and we pass those monies on to hurting families.
Food Pantry
Goshen First United Methodist Church has a food pantry. We receive food from the Food Bank of Northern Indiana and donations from individuals. We serve needy families in the Goshen community. Currently we are serving 30 families per month. Last year we served 380 families in the community. We work with the Salvation Army, so we ask families to go there first before coming to our pantry. Pantry hours are from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. each week day.
Graceful Living
The Graceful Living women's transitional home in Goshen is home for up to 5 women and 4 children for a period of up to nine months as the women re-establish their lives after a term of incarceration. The home is a faith-based non-profit organization helping women make the transition back into society, but with mentors and additional training. The home is in need of volunteers to plan fun days and community services, provide rides to and from church and appointments, and other extras. There are additional needs which include household items, children's items, curtains for children's bedrooms, and staple food items. For more information, please contact the home's director, Vanessa Austin, at 534-0808.
The Window
The Window is a non-profit outreach ministry which serves the basic needs of the elderly and of those in our community with limited incomes. It coordinates Meals on Wheels which provides a hot noon meal for those who need it. Katie's Kitchen serves lunch to approximately 60 or 70 people per day. The Window operates a food pantry and a clothing closet. The Window depends on voluntary contributions from churches, private donations, and fund raisers to support its programs. For more information about The Window, please call the office at 533- 9680.
Help-a-House
Help-A-House, sponsored by LaCasa, assists needy families by repairing homes and consequently improving community neighborhoods through this special volunteer program. Last year our church joined several other churches in such projects as roofing, replacing windows, repairing porches, painting, and building wheelchair ramps.
