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Missions"For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me'" (Matthew 25:35-36). "Dear brothers and sisters, what's the use of saying you have faith if you don't prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can't save anyone. Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, and you say, "Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well"-but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, it isn't enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is no faith at all-it is dead and useless" (James 2:14-17). At Asbury we coordinate our Missions Activities through our "Missions In Action" team. The Missions in Action Team of Asbury United Methodist Church is a ministry to others beyond the local congregation. The purpose of which is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ while carrying out the ministry in the accordance with Christ's great commission. This ministry is dedicated to providing both financial and volunteer support for those in need. While many churches have little or no budget for this ministry, Asbury has, since it's beginning, tithed back into our community, country and foreign missionaries. The programs listed below are the avenues the Missions in Action Team works to achieve this purpose. Currently the Missions In Action (MIA) team supports: Faith-In-Action: Individuals in financial distress or in need of emergency funds are given assistance through Missions in Action Team's Faith In Action.
Indirect Family Support: The primary focus of the Team's Indirect Family Support has been to support programs in our community. The Missions in Action Team has supported the following agencies with volunteer and monetary support:
Acknowledge Ministries
First Priority Birmingham Manna Food Ministry
Hands of Christ
Asbury Food Pantry
Asbury Brown Bag Ministry
Asbury Angels Food Ministry
The Angel Tree program and the school and food supply drives are also a part of our Indirect Family Support.
Health Concern: The Missions in Action Team provides support to organizations in our community who help insure that everyone has access to health and dental care. The Missions in Action Team has supported the following agencies with volunteer and monetary support:
Community of Hope Health Clinic
Save-a-life
Foundry Dental Clinic
Homeless Support: The Missions in Action Team provides support for the homeless through five community organizations:Hannah Home Shelby County
Urban Ministry
Missionaries: Asbury is currently supporting seven missionaries around the world;
Mark and Marge Long (Costa Rica)
Navajo Mission Life Center
Hillside Faith Center (Kenya) (Kenya)
UMF - William Bailey (Costa Rica)
Other Asbury Missionaries
Rays of Hope (Uganda)
Sozo International
Ex-Offenders/Prisoners: The Missions in Action Team supports prison ministries through the Shepherd's Fold and Kairos Prison Ministry.
Disaster Response. Asbury has a very vital effort in reacting to natural disasters in our Early Response Team.
Work Projects: The Missions in Action Team at Asbury supports work projects for adult and youth work teams. These projects include:
Children's Mission Fund
Jerusalem Project
*Matching Fund
*The Matching Fund is a new fund that supports any Asbury Small Group, Sunday School, or other collection of members that will match your gifts up to $2,000.00 while funds are available for a hands-on, Christ-centered mission project! We want to help you reach more people for Christ! Please contact Missions in Action either by the mailbox in the Church Office or via email at Missions@Asburyonline.org.
The Missions in Action Team invites you to become a volunteer in our mission. To assist in any of these ministries, please contact Larry King at 243-9357, llaking@msn.com.
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