Mission Update

Schools of Christian Mission: A Calling to "Come Along"

This summer thousands of women, men, youth and children across the United States have been participating in Schools of Mission and Mission Events. Grounding themselves in the book of James during the Spiritual Growth study, they have heard the controversial message that faith without works is dead. They have struggled with what their own responses should be to that message.

Others, through the study on Mexico, have learned more about neighbors to the south of the United States.

  • How the Mexican Methodist Church is responding to the message through worship and outreach
  • Stories of Volunteer in Mission (VIM) projects in Mexico and of mission programs and efforts that reach across the border into maquiladora communities
  • opportunities to be advocates for undocumented workers here in the United States.

    • Others, through the study on Restorative Justice, have struggled with what it means to do justice here in the United States and around the world. They’ve examined different responses to injustice and tried to determine what it means to work for reconciliation.

    Schools of Mission have never taken the easy way out when it comes to challenging us to learn and to respond!

    The exciting part of all this is that participants continue to accept the challenge to grow, from the long-term folks who have attended Schools of Mission for decades to the first timer. For instance:

  • One first timer, raised in the Baptist Church, recently joined a United Methodist congregation. She was thrilled with the fast-paced, interesting classes and the invitation to "come along" and get involved in mission outreach.
  • Another long-time participant in schools of mission is a Dominican nun who teaches at Regional and Conference Schools of Mission each year, because she finds them such a rich way to challenge people to answer God’s Call on their lives.
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    Answer the call to be in mission and explore the new possibilities to be in mission – this year and in the future!

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