Global Impact Celebration
Commemorating how Matthews UMC serves in missions while offering our life and faith commitments to God.
2023 Focus: Transformation
Global Impact shares an annual celebration with our impact for missions around the globe. Be part of these special Sundays with events and guest speakers in worship.
"Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God--what is good and acceptable and perfect." -Romans 12:2 NRSVUE
2023 Global Impact Celebration Worship Messages
Global Impact Celebration Sundays kicked off February 5 with Rev. Gaston Warner from Zoe Empowers. Our mission partners were featured as panelists in services on February 12, and we culminated the series on February 19 with a message of Transformation from Pastor Chuck Wilson. Highlighted services:
2023 Global Impact Celebration Schedule
Men's Breakfast - February 4
Rev. Gaston Warner, CEO of Zoe Empowers, will present at the United Methodist Men's breakfast at 7:30 am in The Commons.
Rev Gaston Warner is CEO of Zoe Empowers, Global North (ZoeEmpowers.org), a global network of local organizations equipping orphaned children and youth led families to move beyond charity. Zoe has empowered over 150,000 children and youth across seven African countries and India, and was selected as the 2021 International .Org Impact Award winner for Fighting Hunger and Poverty. Gaston is a United Methodist pastor and has served organizations including Duke University Divinity School, Duke Chapel, and Habitat for Humanity. Gaston lives in Hurdle Mills, NC with his spouse and Duke Divinity School faculty the Rev. Dr. Laceye Warner, his daughter Clare, and various pets and livestock. Gaston co-authored "From Relief to Empowerment: How Your Church Can Cultivate Sustainable Mission."
Worship Guest Speaker - February 5
Rev. Gaston Warner, CEO of Zoe Empowers will be our guest speaker in all three worship services in the Sanctuary. Zoe Empowers is an International Mission Partner and MUMC has supported a group of 94 youth in Kenya over the past three years as they learned to run a small business and support their family. Now they are 100% self-sufficient. Come and hear stories of empowerment and showing God's love around the world.
Operation Saturday Serve - February 11
We invite individuals & families to stop by The Commons to serve 9:00 am - 12:00 noon. Register here to Serve! We'll be making sandwiches for Roof Above, Blessing Bags for Blessed Assurance Adult Day Care, and Valentines for other ministry partners.
Missions Fair - February 12
Hear from Local & International Mission Partners in worship & attend the Missions Fair in our hallways from 9:00 am - 12:15 pm between worship services. Representatives from the organizations will be available to connect with and find out about serving opportunities.
Faith & Life Commitment Sunday - February 19
This date marks the opportunity for the congregation to make an annual commitment to a life of missions and service as we place our completed Faith & Life Commitment cards at the altar together. Please prayerfully consider the commitment you will make to support Global Impact Missions in 2023. Cards are mailed to homes and are available at the Welcome Center. A pledge can also be submitted online for Global Impact through our secure Realm portal.