A Moment for Mission
"Suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, 'This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" —Matthew 17:5b, NRSV
The Rev. Young Seon "Christina" Kim is a Global Ministries missionary serving in Tanzania. Born in South Korea, she is a clergy member of the Northern Illinois Conference.
Charged with developing Next Generation Ministries churchwide spiritual programs for youth and young adults, she began by writing a book for discipleship training, called "Nifuate" (Swahili for "follow me").
Then Kim started the first Nifuate Discipleship Training with 20 young adult leaders. "Today," she said, "I praise God for 40 committed Nifuate teachers who train others in their districts and make a difference in many lives."
Young people gathered together monthly in 10 districts from July 2018 to May 2019. District superintendents and local pastors preached God's word. Those who were trained by Kim became Nifuate Bible teachers. They taught younger youth about basic Christian life. Total attendance was 2,014 young people.
"I see God's abundant blessings," Kim said. "Nifuate key leaders became district youth chairpersons in eight districts. Jackson became the president of Wesley College's student government. Amosi and Rogers became district lay leaders. Mwamba, Frida and Machael became annual conference youth leaders. Paul, Mwanzo, Shabani and Jonas became local pastors. Four achieved a diploma in theology at Wesley College. Shedrack and Mussa in Tarime district will be assigned to serve churches soon."
Thanks to United Methodist support of the World Service Fund, the General Board of Global Ministries nurtures missionaries like Kim, who share the gospel around the world.
Offertory Prayer
Loving God, on this Transfiguration Sunday, we give thanks for missionaries who share the good news of Jesus Christ around the world. Shepherd them. In your name, we pray. Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries: Transfiguration Sunday, — God of power and love, we come to worship this day in anticipation: to hear the music, to be fed with the word, to reconnect with family, but most of all to listen to your voice as it might speak to us in the silent moments. May your goodness and caring be affirmed in the gifts we give, and as worship comes to an end, may we hear Jesus' voice sending us out into the mission field, and may we listen and go. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. (Matthew 17:1-9)
Newsletter Nugget
If you've wondered about becoming a missionary but decided a full-time commitment wouldn't work, United Methodist Volunteers in Mission might be perfect for you. UMVIM is a grassroots movement within The United Methodist Church designed to provide an official channel for volunteer service. Through UMVIM, Christians, both lay and clergy, can offer their skills and talents for service in their home country and around the world. They embark on short-term assignments at their own expense.
The UMVIM network offers guidance, organization and training for more than 125,000 volunteers each year who give of their time and talent to minister with the poor, build churches and other mission facilities, assist in disaster recovery efforts, participate in community health programs and participate in leadership training events each year. Interested? Check out https://www.umcmission.org/serve-with-us/umvim.
Through the World Service Fund, the General Board of Global Ministries oversees Volunteers in Mission and other outreach, sharing God's abundant love every day. Thank you for your support!
—Adapted from General Board of Global Ministries website