Global Missions
Based
on the “Great Commission”, one mission of Shady Grove United Methodist
Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of
the world. Shady Grove does this through various means and we hope you
will join us as we take direct responsibility for people of the world
around our church, the community in which we and others study, work,
shop, and play.
Operation Christmas Child
Through a simple shoebox gift with Operation Christmas Child, our congregation members can
help change the world, one life at time. Shoeboxes are filled with
school supplies, toys, hygiene items and a note of encouragement for a
child overseas suffering due to disaster, disease, war, terrorism,
famine or poverty. More information about Operation Christmas Child is
at http://www.samaritanspurse.Heifer International
Heifer
International's mission is to work with communities to end hunger and
poverty and care for the Earth. It all started with a cow and we are
thrilled to support this great mission by purchasing animals to give
families a hand-up, not just a handout. We hope to empower families
around the world to turn hunger and poverty into hope and prosperity. To
read more about this great outreach go to http://www.heifer.org/ourwork/Unicef
I
n October the
children and youth of Shady Grove UMC, as well as SGUMC Preschool and Center for Creative Arts, trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, the United
National International Childrens' Emergency Fund. Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF began in 1950 as a way to help kids who need more than candy. Since then, children all over America have gone door-to-door on Halloween with UNICEF collection boxes, calling out, "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF!" They have raised more than $170 million for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF since 1950. Funds collected will help provide children around the world with clean water, nutritious food, medicine, vaccines, and education. To see how pennies add up, $5 can buy a soccer ball for children in a refugee camp, and $30 can provide 100 children with a measles vaccine. The Power of Kids Helping Kids.
Missionaries
Shady Grove supports the following missionaries:
Nico Chantel serving in Europe – Nico has been serving in Marseille, France for 7 years. He served foreigners, such as international students and workers, business people, and refugees. He felt an urgent need for a Bible based and truly evangelical community where people could have a spiritual home to grow in their faith. He feels prepared to do the work God has called him to do now—to serve as a missionary! Nico continues to prepare for his new ministry and hopes to leave for Germany where he will continue to serve our Lord. Learn more at www.internationalministry.net.
Kristi and Kip Fisher serving in the Dominican Republic – Kristi and Kip and their family seek to connect the people of the Dominican Republic with solutions to both physical and spiritual needs. They offer help in meeting their material needs, while presenting the hope we have been provided by the gospel. By removing the barriers presented by physical needs and building genuine friendships, minds are opened and spiritual ground made fertile for planting. Their outreach includes clean water programs, construction, education, and Discipleship/Bible studies. Visit their website at www.fishers4him.com.
Eva and Lindsay Gilliam waiting for assignment – Eva and Lindsay and their two sons are currently in Richmond preparing for their next assignment. They have been serving in Ecuador for the past three years and now they are in Richmond training and preparing for their next journey. They recently visited Sri Lanka to help prepare them for their next assignment if that is where God calls them to serve. They can be reached at Lindsay.gilliam@sim.org.
Laura and Timo Harkonens serving in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – The Harkonens are missionaries with Mission Aviation Fellowship. Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) serves people who deal with challenges due to isolation in regions such as Africa, Asia, Eurasia, and Latin America by providing: medical assistance, disaster response, community development, training, and evangelism support to churches. Follow their blog and see all the great things they are able to do with the help of Shady Grove at http://harkonensindrcwithmaf.wordpress.com.
Liz Jackson serving in the Philippines – Liz returned from India and has been in the US preparing to serve in the Philippines. She visited Shady Grove in the spring and shared some of her wonderful experiences and challenges in India. She had to leave due to unrest in India for missionaries. She is now in the Philippines teaching English and coaching basketball at a non-profit outreach as means to share the love of Jesus. She also serves in a homeless shelter for children. As Liz says, “Love all—serve all!”
Quynh-Hoa Nguyen serving in Vietnam – Quynh-Hoa Nguyen was born in Vietnam and grew up in a Christian home in Danang. Quynh-Hoa received a Master of Divinity degree in the U.S. "My years of study in the United States were a journey of faith, which I explored, discerned, and renewed my call as I prepared myself to bring the gospel home.” The United Methodist Church in Vietnam has a center with training facilities in Ho Chi Minh City and is moving toward official recognition. Quyhn-Hoa will be working with other United Methodist personnel in the country.
She is part of the Virginia Conference supported missionaries. Read more about Quynh-Hoa Nguyen's work.
Virginia United Methodist Conference Missions
For more information regarding the missions of our conference, visit www.vaumc.org/Mission.If interested in joining the planning of global missions at SGUMC, please contact Teresa Gagliardi at tbgagliardi2@gmail.com or 804-241-3144.