Outside the Box: Missionaries & Mission Field

Dear Fellow Ministers,

I heard a lot of sermons from my Dad growing up, and a phrase I remember him saying over and over (I think he was quoting Corrie ten Boom) was, “You are either a missionary or a mission field.” He was reminding us that we either need to be sharing the Gospel or receiving it. And, like most of us, one of the primary ways of sharing the Gospel is through our mission work. I am so proud to get to be associated with Matthews United Methodist Church and its strong emphasis on mission work.

This Sunday, we are excited that Rev. Gaston Warner, a United Methodist Minister in our conference and CEO of Zoe Global North (with Zoe Empowers Ministry), will be our guest preacher for Faith & Life Commitment Sunday for our Global Impact Celebration. Rev. Warner is a respected leader of what mission work looks like in our world. I hope you will join me in praying for him as he prepares to preach at our 8:15, 9:30, and 11 am services. I also hope you will prayerfully prepare to make a financial commitment to our Global Impact ministries. As Amy DeVore succinctly and beautifully explained in our worship this week, Global Impact is our mission arm of the church. In 2025, we had hundreds of people involved and gave over $330,000 to our mission partners!

I have always felt that any healthy church prioritizes mission because it is a very present reminder that we exist to do more than care for ourselves. It enables us to take seriously the call of Christ to care for the least, the last, and the lost. MUMC is most certainly a healthy church!

You can be a part of SATURDAY SERVE DAY this coming Saturday, February 14, as we do “hands on” mission work. It is open to all ages with some opportunities at the church and some on the sites of our partners. Register and select your serve location. This is a great chance to invite friends and neighbors who can just show up to complete partner projects in The Commons!

Then, next week, we move into the holy season of Lent. We will have the youth-sponsored Pancake Supper next Tuesday, February 17, from 5 – 7:30 p.m. On February 18, we will host Drive-Thru Imposition of Ashes (at the Trade Street entrance) from 7:30 am – 9 am; Drop-In Imposition of Ashes in the Chapel from Noon – 1 p.m., and our traditional Ash Wednesday Service in the Sanctuary at 7 pm. Here more about these opportunities in my weekly video!

Thank you for being willing to live your faith “outside the box”! The truth is that I think we are all missionaries AND mission fields. I am thankful for a church that allows us to give and receive. I look forward to being in ministry with you this week!

In Christ’s Service,
David

Did you know that Matthews UMC has a job opening for Executive Assistant/Office Manager? We celebrate Beth Lynn for being an exemplary employee for over 22 years! Beth will serve on staff through the end of March. If you or someone you know values a team environment, enjoys detailed work, and is technology proficient with administrative experience, please view the job posting.

Did you know that Global Impact Mission Partners shared during Sunday Worship? View 11:00 service interviews with Trina Fullard (Charlotte Rescue Mission), Natisha Rivera (Matthews Greater Habitat) & Liz Clasen-Kelly (Roof Above) and 9:30 service interviews with Sandra Rose (Matthews HELP Center), Jared Keaton (Alliance Center for Education) & Stephanie Range (Greenway Park Elementary). Thank you to all who participated in the Missions Fair and to our worship speakers, including partners at our 8:15 service, Jessie Lindberg (Turning Point, Inc.) and Amy Carr (Matthews Free Medical Clinic) and at Family Worship, Keith Adams (Common Heart).