Humanitarian Relief

Mission and Ministry
The Rev. Jonathan Baker and Donna Baker are overwhelmed as water gushes forth from a well in Wembo Nyama, Democratic Republic of Congo, in 2016. The local people had been praying for water for decades. New Covenant United Methodist Church in The Villages, Fla., and its Lake Deaton United Methodist Church campus in Wildwood, Fla., raised the money for this first well in the Sankuru Province of Central Congo. Photo by the Rev. Jim Divine.

Calling led couple to ministry in Congo

The Rev. Jonathan Baker, former conference council on ministries director, and registered nurse Donna Baker shared their skills with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mission and Ministry
John Kodjo (standing), a member of Mapamboli United Methodist Church in Kinshasa, Congo, tries to salvage things from his flooded home. Torrential rains and flooding on April 5 damaged over 1,000 homes in the area and killed at least 33 people. Kodjo’s family fled on the roof of their home. Photo by the Rev. Fiston Okito, UM News.

Floods devastate United Methodists in Congo

Thousands have been displaced and two United Methodist churches have been damaged by flooding in Kinshasa, the country’s capital.
Mission and Ministry
Florence Kachingwe (left, in pink skirt), chairperson of The Class of 81 Charitable Foundation, sings and dances with kids at Fairfield Children’s Home, a United Methodist-affiliated children’s home in Mutare, Zimbabwe. The foundation, started by former students at United Methodist Hartzell High School, donated food and other supplies to the school. Photo by Tafadzwa Gumbochuma.

Former students give back to families in need

Nine Hartzell High School students who completed their studies in 1981 have launched a foundation to help care for poor communities in southern Africa.
Social Concerns
Ice Angels volunteers from First United Methodist Church in Moore, Okla., serve lunch one Wednesday every month at a large lot near downtown Oklahoma City. Started by a United Methodist couple, Ice Angels has grown from handing out water to providing food and other services for unsheltered people. Serving (from left) are Monty Bower, Gabriel Krows, Linda Dowling, Linda Starling and Jo Bower. Photo by Boyce Bowdon, UM News.

Ministry begins 15th year of serving the thirsty

Started by a United Methodist couple, Ice Angels has grown from handing out water to unsheltered people under a bridge to providing food and other needed supplies and services with the help of a network of local churches, nonprofits and businesses.

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