By Rev. Garth Duke-Barton,
Conference Secretary for Global Ministries
There have been Methodist missionaries in North America sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ before there was even a United States. After John Wesley returned to England, he sent numerous young adults to ride across the colonies to share the Gospel. It was not a role for the faint of heart. Until 1847, almost half of the young men died before the age of 30. Thank God for their willingness to share the message in spite of the dangers they faced.
It is considerably safer to be a missionary in the United States today. The United Methodist Church still sees a need to send young adults to share the Gospel message. There is a program called US-2. It is sponsored by the General Board of Global Ministries.
Young adults on the US-2 track leave their home state to serve in a new community for two years. They gain a fresh perspective on systems preventing social change and address injustice by serving in areas such as immigration rights, homelessness, civic engagement, youth and campus ministry, food insecurity, and anti-racism and justice outreach.
Fellows form meaningful relationships with their host community as they are mentored by organizations meeting immediate needs and working toward lasting transformation. In addition to long-standing placement sites in Florida, Michigan and Washington state, new placements are available in Iowa and Utah.
The Global Mission Fellows program is open to those from different denominational backgrounds, but participants must be willing to represent The United Methodist Church and uphold its social principles during their time of service. The Wesleyan value of personal and social holiness is at the core of the program.
To learn more about this and how you can become involved - whether as a volunteer, a host site or a sponsor - send an email to:
missionaryinfo@umcmission.org.
Rev. Garth Duke-Barton, pastor of Epworth United Methodist Church in Jesup, also serves as Conference Secretary for Global Ministries.
