Missouri United Methodist Annual Conference

I just returned from the Missouri United Methodist Annual Conference and am totally amazed at what our denomination is doing in this state and in the world to reach people in the name of Jesus Christ and to change the world we live in. United Methodist have always been those who have made a difference in the world and pushed for change to combat social injustices, not only here in the United States but in the world. I heard Michael Slaughter from the United Methodist Church in Ginghamsburg, Ohio speak of the ministries reaching out to the Sudan and Darfur and their work of ministry there in addition to the Dayton, Ohio area. They have four Mission Trips planned for Haiti already. They continue to be involved in healing for the Katrina disaster along with many many other United Methodist Churches. The church I serve is planning a trip to Gulfport, Mississippi in 2011(thanks to our youth leader, Liz Hull) . What other denomination or organization can claim that they are still there? Not many!! We are!!! The United Methodist Church is making a difference in the world but we are also in the process of changing and becoming a new church with what I see as an old focus, the same change in focus brought about by John Wesley when he went against his denominatin and took Christ into the streets where there was a need. We are getting back to focusing on the people that live in the margins of life; those who are without food, clothing, water, homes, family, and friends. We are standing up for the rights of individuals that have been oppressed by our society like we are called to do. Sometimes that involves standing up and speaking out for the rights of those individuals. I am proud to say that I am part of the United Methodist Church, a denomination that is making a difference in the world rather than focusing on ourselves.