Missionary Covenant Support: How Congregations Can Help

By Rebecca (Becky) Parsons | Missionary Serving as Mission Advocate in the NEJ

Churches are learning so much about who they are in this 19^th month of living with a pandemic: grief sharing, community connections, healthy relationships, technology, and how the holy spirit calls us even deeper into connection. One lesser-known connection point for congregations in the UMC is to covenant with a missionary. 

Covenants are statements of relationship: mutual care and witnesses to the gospel of Jesus Christ who calls us to love one another in our local community and around the world. Covenants take what we treasure most and transform it into acts of love in missions, where we can join into the activity of the holy spirit through our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. You treasure your time? Well, have you spent some of that time in prayer for Rev. Andrew Lee as Andrew coordinates the church activities of the UMC in Cambodia.
 
Or have you covenanted with Temba Nkomozepi at Mujila Falls Zambia? This area is so remote that it takes the call to serve unto the ends of the Earth past that! Temba is an agriculturalist who attended Africa University-a world class university sponsored by a portion of every apportionment dollar you send to the global church! 
 
Have you and your church been on a Virtual Volunteer in Mission Journey with Nan McCurdy and Miguel Mairena? Nothing will separate us from the love of God who calls us to love one another and you don’t even have to leave your home to build relationships with people in Christian communities and learn how the holy spirit is transforming lives. Gather a group and visit your favorite missionary and the community they serve with through a virtual mission trip. 
 
Your church can make a covenant, pray for and support our 220 missionaries serving in 60 countries sharing the good news, inviting all to warm themselves in the light of Christ, and transforming the world for the Kin-dom of God. As we prepare for Jesus coming into the world consider inviting families, the congregation, or individuals to support a missionary. You’ll be glad you did.
 
If I can help you connect with your Conference Secretary of Global Ministries or to a missionary let me know! May God’s peace strengthen you on this journey of love.
 
Rebecca "Becky" Parsons is a Missionary serving as Mission Advocate with the Northeast Jurisdiction. You can reach her at 540-314-7911 or via email.