MISSIONS
Signature Missions
In an effort to go deeper into our missions, the Missions Council at FUMC supports selected ministries to receive focused attention and financial support from the church for a period of 3 years at a time. In addition to our Signature Missions, the Missions Council supports other organizations through “quick grants”. The application for quick grants is found at here https://forms.gle/XF2Lpzt8dfvyE2a1A.
WHAT IS ZOE?
ZOE Empowers is one of FUMC’s signature missions because of its amazing 95% success rate in lifting children from abject poverty. ZOE Empowers, an international mission organization, was formed in 2004 and three years later adopted a radically new way of empowering orphaned kids and youth-led families to become self-sufficient. It is not a “hand out” charity and is much more than a “hand up” program. The program operates in 12 countries where it organizes village-based empowerment groups of 25 or so households totaling 75-100 children. Most of the children have no adult involved in their lives. Some work for about 40 cents a day and others survive by begging. Over a three-year period, the group is guided through a structured empowerment program to lead the children to a new life. Since 2013, FUMC, church families, and other church partners in the area have sponsored nearly 30 groups and lifted over 2,000 children out of poverty!
To learn more about this powerful mission, follow this link.
Brand New Day
Brand New Day is an outreach and rehabilitation program started by Erin Johnson, a member of our congregation which serves street children in the Philippines, helping them to grow personally, academically, and spiritually through shelter, education, and relationships
Contact: Steve and Sharon Johnson, Stevesharonjohnson@gmail.com
Hendersonville Backpack Program
The Hendersonville Backpack Program is a volunteer-based program providing food for children at risk for weekend hunger. We pack bags with shelf-stable food, enough for 4-6 weekend meals for a child and then deliver approximately 100 bags/week to several Hendersonville schools as well as the Boys and Girls Club of Henderson County.
Our mission is to feed kids on Fridays so they can thrive on Mondays! We receive some food from Manna Food Bank and then supplement with purchases from Sam’s Club.
True Ridge
True Ridge works to connect members of the Hispanic community with the resources and opportunities to help them grow personally and professionally. They believe everyone deserves the chance to live a fulfilled life.
What makes True Ridge special is their sense of community and culture. They know the importance of feeling included, understood, and respected. By offering their services as bilingual, culturally connected advocates, they encourage and uplift this underserved and often overlooked community. We are honored to have them in the building and partnering with us in the community.
204 6th Ave W. Hendersonville, NC 28739
(828) 205-1170
Other Local Missions
This group works as a team with other churches and groups in the community to prepare, transport, then serve meals to underfed children on rotating Friday afternoons at the Boys and Girls Club.
Contact: Lorraine Perkins lorraineperk@bellsouth.net
Rooted in Faith Community Garden is a faith-based donation garden focused on building relationships, providing education, and growing fresh, organic produce for the food insecure of Henderson County.
Find The Rooted in Faith Community Garden Google Drive Here
Contact: Robin Corbin at Corbin rrcorbin28739@yahoo.com
The Providence House Community Meal takes place next door to Providence Baptist Church on Oakland Street every Sunday from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. This is a hot meal for all those in need. Volunteers from FUMC serve on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays. Contact: Robin Corbin at Corbin rrcorbin28739@yahoo.com
Providence House Bus Drivers: each week volunteers drive a set route on the church bus to pick up community members for the Providence House Meal. To be part of the bus driving team contact Bud Murphy murphye-k@verizon.net
The Youth of our church have a servant’s heart and participate in a monthly Serve Sunday. Serve Sunday is a night where our Youth take the time to participate in a local mission project in our community. These projects range from doing yard work to feeding the hungry. Over the summer youth take a one week mission trip to be the hands and feet of Christ.
Contact: Drew Morton: Zach@hvlfumc.org
On the second Wednesday of each month, we partner with Interfaith Assistance Ministry and True Ridge to host a mobile food pantry in the parking lot from 3-5 pm. Contact Rev. Erin Yow to help erinyow@hvlfumc.org
Located in the church building, the literacy connection transforms lives by cultivating literacy skills that promote economic and social success. Volunteer tutors help people learn English or prepare for U.S. citizenship. Contact Kelly Hart kelly@litconnection.org.
At least once a month, members of First United provide and serve dinner to around 100 community members at Hope United Methodist Church in East Flat Rock on Tuesday evenings. To help, please contact Rev. Erin Yow.
2-3 times a year, volunteers help provide free veterinary care to pets at Providence House and Hope UMC.
Other Global Missions
Volunteers explore mission opportunities in Cuba. They also travel to Cuba annually to build relationships and participate in “on the ground” missions.
Contact: Anne Smith / 828-697-9363 / absmith.doc@hotmail.com, Jerry Smith / 828-697-9363 / jj81868@hotmail.com
This group uses donated materials to sew dresses and shorts that are then distributed worldwide through Little Dresses for Africa, Basic sewing skills are all that’s required.
Contact: Eleanor Ninestein at 910 366 8264 or eh9stein@gmail.com
Collects, packs, and distributes Christian media materials to developing countries.
Contact: Jody Swenson / 828-808-4608 / sendingforthseeds@gmail.com
