National Mission

One of the four areas of focus for The United Methodist Church, which were affirmed at the 2008 General Conference, is serving the poor. The mission field here in the United States is very ripe, as we have 37 million citizens living below the poverty line.

Several of the programs listed here address the issue of poverty. Knowing that poverty is rampant in this country, with its ancillary effects like crime and poor health, is not enough. Action to lift people out of their poverty is necessary.

National Advance Specials lets people who are experiencing difficulties know that they have support from in The United Methodist Church. Being in God’s mission is about developing loving, caring relationships with those in need. The programs listed below have been selected for Virginia United Methodist churches to support. All of these ministries represent The United Methodist Church in action, bringing health and wholeness to those who are in need.

You may choose to give a financial gift to any of the projects listed on this page. They are all official Advance Projects. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT of your contribution goes to the Advance ministry you choose! Simply make your check payable to the "Virginia Annual Conference" and write the ministry name and the Advance code number on the check and send to PO Box 5606, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5606.

National Advance Specials

(Click on the name of the ministry for more information.)

North Carolina: Robeson County Church and Community Center: The Robeson County Church and Community Center seeks to involve people across cultural, racial, class, and denominational barriers in partnership with each other to address social needs and to move in Christ’s name toward solutions (#791742)

District of Columbia: Christ House:A recovery facility that provides for the physical and emotional needs of homeless men and women (#381215)

Kentucky: Red Bird Mission, Inc., Beverly: Community education and outreach programs in rural Appalachia (#773726)

Tennessee: Jubilee Project, Inc., Sneedville: Leadership development and community organizing in a poverty area (#781350)

Florida: Children and Youth Services, Tampa:Ministries for needy infants, children, and youth (#751202)

North Carolina: Hinton Rural Life Center, Hayesville: Resource and training center for small membership rural churches (#731372)

Kentucky: Henderson Settlement, Frakes: Programs for disadvantaged teenagers, parents, and the elderly (#773365)

National Challenge Fund for Hispanic/Latino Ministries:Lay missioners, education, outreach, and evangelism (#982620)

New Mexico: Four Corners Native American Ministry: Facilities, Shiprock. Construction of church facilities on the Navajo Reservation (#581254)

South Dakota: Tree of Life Ministry:A ministry with Native Americans at the Rosebud and Crow Creek Reservations (#123615)

Alaska: Parish Partners, Alaska Missionary Conference: Strengthening of local church mission and ministry and launching of new leadership programs (#931027)

Virginia: Project Crossroads, Inc., Marion: Rehabilitation of older homes and first-time home ownership for low-income families (#781380)