Missions

Jesus calls us to share the Good News with the Greater Melbourne/Palm Bay community and beyond. We participate in larger community events to connect with all people. Relieving suffering is God's love made real. Local mission and domestic and international opportunities in Cuba and Haiti help us live into the call on our lives to reach out to the least, the lost, and the lonely. For more information on how to get involved in one of the ministries listed below, please contact our Missions Chairperson at missions@fumc-melb.org.

2012 Special Mission Project:

Celebrate Jesus - Celebrate Jesus is coming to First Church! Over 100 people from the 8 churches in Brevard that will have a Celebrate Jesus Mission gathered at First Church for worship and a workshop on Saturday, January 21. The cafe was lively with praise music along with a motivating video. This day was to inform, encourage, and enthuse everyone as each congregation plans our mission to saturate our communities with prayer and visits to share the love of Jesus in winsome, friendly ways. We continue to invite our congregation to come get involved with us now!  For more information about Celebrate Jesus, please contact our coordinator at CelebrateJesus@fumc-melb.org.

2012 Local Missions Emphasis:

Master's Workshop - The Master's Workshop provides a safe, loving place for low income, at risk children to go after school.  The children participate in activities, fed a meal, helped with homework and taught about God. Weekly we volunteer through reading, bringing food, and being present to offer support to the kids.  During the summer, First Church provides summer interns to help with the Monday - Friday program. We are excited about this ministry and how God will continue to grow our partnership.

Habitat for Humanity - Habitat builds affordable homes for people who need housing. In February 2011, construction was completed on an Apostle's Build that First Church undertook with seven other churches. Gifts from Target were given to the Habitat family from the congregation, following the ribbon cutting for the house. We are excited to announce that we are in the planning stages of another Apostle's Build to be build in 2012! Our next Habitat workdays are February 11 and March 10, 2012. To get involved in a Habitat project, contact our coordinator at habitat@fumc-melb.org.

Community of Hope - Community of Hope is a transitional housing ministry which provides homes and counseling for homeless families with children. God has provided First Church with some properties that will enable Community of Hope to expand their ministry.

Special Gathering - Special Gathering is a blessed ministry that serves the mentally challenged in our community. Weekly, First Church supports this ministry by providing space for Bible study and worship, financial contributions and prayer. Linda Howard is the Director of Special Gathering.

Other Local Missions Supported by First Church:

Genesis House                                         Promise
Sharing Center                                         Kairos Torch
Campus Crusade for Christ                      Disaster Response
Backpack Ministry                                     Salvation Army
Daily Bread                                               United Methodist Children's Home
Holiday Caring and Sharing                      Pastors' Caring Fund

2012 Global Missions Emphasis:

Cuba Covenant - Under Communist rule, the people of Cuba suffered greatly under this oppressive structure. First Church and Gibara United Methodist Church are in a covenant relationship as sister congregations serving God. Through mission trips, prayer, and financial contributions we seek to partner with our sisters and brothers in Gibara. We are planning a mission trip in 2012 and are excited to see how God will continue to knit our relationship long into the future.

Haiti Relief - After the earthquake of 2010, our hearts were moved at First Church to be vitally involved in partnered ministry in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. First Church supports two vital ministries in Haiti through mission trips, prayer, financial contributions, and medicine/vitamin/clothing collections. Mission trips to Haiti are being planned for 2012.

Other Global Missions Supported by First Church:

Heifer Project
Zambia Orphanage in Africa
Operation Christmas Child