Solar oven ministry changes lives

Over the past 25 years, United Methodist Solar Oven Partners has offered a simple device to improve nutrition, promote better health and prevent deforestation in vulnerable communities in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Sierra Leone and the Navajo Nation. The ministry provides opportunities for volunteers to put faith into action, and they say the experience of changing people’s lives is unforgettable. Lilla Marigza has the story.

Watch video

Recipients of sun-powered ovens learn to adapt local recipes to the new cooking method. This photo was taken during a United Methodist Solar Oven Partners workshop for new oven owners in Bo, Sierra Leone, in December 2025. Photo courtesy of Solar Oven Partners.
Recipients of sun-powered ovens learn to adapt local recipes to the new cooking method. This photo was taken during a United Methodist Solar Oven Partners workshop for new oven owners in Bo, Sierra Leone, in December 2025. Photo courtesy of Solar Oven Partners.

Solar Oven Partners is looking for mission volunteers for the summer of 2026 and beyond for upcoming trips to Sierra Leone and the Navajo Nation in Shiprock, New Mexico. Follow Solar Oven Partners on Facebook for upcoming mission opportunities.

United Methodists also can support the ministry with financial support toward materials to manufacture the ovens, and by sewing potholders and collecting money to buy supplies that go into cooking kits. Donate to Solar Oven Partners through United Methodist Committee on Relief Advance #418812.

Marigza is a multimedia producer for UM News. Contact her at (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umnews.org. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free UM News Digest.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Mission and Ministry
Holly Petti and her dog Paisley chat with people entering the Sanctuary at Pinnacle View United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Ark. The church has a designated dog greeter every Sunday in addition to numerous pet outreach ministries the congregation offers. Image from video by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Dog church welcomes people and pets

A United Methodist church in Little Rock celebrates Earth Day by recognizing God’s care for his people and the pets they love.
Faith Sharing
Image by sebastiano iervolino from Pixabay; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News

Social media graphics from UM News

Graphic for Pentecost available to download and share on social media.
Global Health
Sinnika A. Bangura (right), a staffer at the Lowell and Ruth Gess United Methodist Church Eye Hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone, applies dilating eye drops to a young child with the support of his parents. The eye drops are administered to widen the eye pupil in preparation for examination. The United Methodist eye hospital was established in 1984 by Dr. Lowell Gess, a U.S. missionary. Photo by Eveline Chikwanah, UM News.

Church hospitals restore sight, health in Sierra Leone

The United Methodist Church’s medical facilities provide a wide range of care, drawing patients from neighboring countries as well.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2026 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved