A Moment for Mission
“I assure you that whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will certainly be rewarded.” —Mark 9:41, CEB
After receiving a bachelor’s degree in secretarial sciences and a master’s degree in social work, Olga Elsie González became a Church and Community Worker missionary with Global Ministries in 2012.
“Since then I’ve been growing in the knowledge of God more than ever,” she said. “I served four years as CCW with a mission in Syracuse, New York. I helped plant a Hispanic church in Syracuse and served for two years with a mission for children and youth. Now I am serving at Lyndonville [New York] United Methodist Church.”
Still, González dreamed of going further in ministry. Checking the Global Ministries website, she learned about the World Communion Scholarship and applied.
Thankful for the United Methodists who shared through the World Communion Sunday offering, González is studying toward a master of divinity degree at Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester, New York.
“To receive this scholarship has been a great blessing,” she said. “It is because of this scholarship that I have been able to go to school. My plan is to be a missional pastor. My life has changed because of your support. Thank you for your generosity.”
When you give on World Communion Sunday, you equip gifted, qualified students from around the globe to become the world changers God created them to be. The special offering provides World Communion Scholarships, Ethnic Scholarships and Ethnic In-Service Training.
Next week we will celebrate World Communion Sunday. Please give generously.
Offertory Prayer
Loving God, the smallest gift—a cup of cold water for a thirsty soul—can multiply. Inspire our generosity. Bless our World Communion Sunday offering. In your name, we pray. Amen.
From Discipleship Resources: Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost – God of the beginning, God of now, and God of what will be; in your claiming us as your own, you have given us the most gracious and powerful invitation – to pray to lift all that weighs on our hearts, with the confidence that you will hear. As we offer gifts to you this morning, we pray that you will dedicate them so that they might bring love, compassion, joy, and mercy to people who are in need. Then remind us that we are not done until we have offered to you the prayers of our hearts. In the name of Jesus, our rock and our redeemer. Amen. (James 5:13-20)
Newsletter Nugget
Born in Puerto Rico, the oldest of three children, Olga Elsie González comes from a long line of Methodist pastors and church workers.
“My parents divorced when I was 8 years old,” González said. “My dad passed when he was 44. Growing up without my dad at home was always difficult.”
Although González stopped attending church as a teen, God did not forget her. In 1993, she had a personal experience with Jesus Christ.
“Since then,” she said, “I have been serving him. I don’t want to change the life he has given me for the life I lived before then.”
After working as a church and community worker with Global Ministries, González applied for —and received—a World Communion Scholarship. Today, she is a seminary student, grateful for the generosity of United Methodists on World Communion Sunday.
One of six churchwide Special Sundays with offerings, World Communion Sunday calls the church to reach out to all people and model diversity among God’s children.
Adapted from “Continuing the Legacy of Ministry” by Elsie Cunningham. Used by permission.
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