UMVIM

Back to Costa Rica		United Methodist Volunteers in Mission
Methodists and Missions The Early Methodist Church UMVIM The Book of Discipline Mission Links FUMC Mission Information Application Mission Support Team Fundraising FAQ's Costa Rica The Country Statistics The People The Methodist Church Centro Rural Metodista Costa Rica Trips 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998		HISTORY OF UMVIM The vitality of the United Methodist Volunteers In Mission movement is alive and well in The United Methodist Church! Participants testify to lives transformed and congregations renewed as they become involved in �service with others� mission outreach. New relationships are developed with persons from other cultures, and traditional walls of division are torn away as they participate in hands-on involvement. The United Methodist Volunteers In Mission movement is one of the most exciting things happening in the church today. In 2003, over 69,779 persons were documented as having served on UMVIM teams and 102 individuals served in 25 countries, including the USA. The Call to Mission � As old as the church itself Volunteers in mission have been present since the beginning of the church. St. Paul was one of the earliest volunteers in mission. As a tentmaker, he financed his own missionary journeys to preach the Christian gospel and share the love of Christ with persons in many places. In more recent times, the concept of giving personal time in volunteer Christian service has developed into a major mission effort. All of God's children have unique gifts and skills which can be used in ministry. The Mission Volunteers Program Area facilitates the wise use of these gifts and skills. The work of the church is done largely by volunteers! In 1976, a special movement was organized in the Southeast called United Methodist Volunteers In Mission (UMVIM). This "grass roots" organization gave direction and impetus to the volunteer effort in the United Methodist Church. Soon, conferences and jurisdictions organized to recruit, support, and coordinate projects for those wanting to make a difference in the world. The General Conference of 1980 officially sanctioned UMVIM. Since that time, thousands of volunteers have served throughout the world. For many who have chosen this form of mission, it has been a life changing experience. The Volunteers who serve Volunteers In Mission, both lay and clergy, are engaged in Christian ministry. In fulfilling the work to which God has called us, we embody the UMVIM motto "Christian Love in Action". All of God's children have unique gifts and skills which can be used in ministry. Volunteers may serve locally in churches and communities - visiting, assisting in nursing homes, repairing houses, tutoring, etc. They may serve in annual conference projects such as community centers, children's centers, camps, and Vacation Bible Schools. They may serve nationally or internationally, sometimes ecumenically, in projects ranging from construction to evangelization to social outreach and medical assistance. UMVIM works closely with the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), providing teams to assist in recovery from natural disasters and violent conflicts.

Back to Costa Rica

United Methodist Volunteers in Mission

Methodists and Missions
The Early Methodist Church
UMVIM
The Book of Discipline

Mission Links

FUMC Mission Information
Application
Mission Support Team
Fundraising
FAQ's

Costa Rica
The Country
Statistics

The People
The Methodist Church
Centro Rural Metodista

Costa Rica Trips
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000

1999
1998

HISTORY OF UMVIM

Text Box: Volunteers In Mission began when Jesus, told Simon and Andrew �Follow me and I will make you fish for people� (Matthew 4:19, NRSV). People have answered Jesus� call to mission ever since.

The vitality of the United Methodist Volunteers In Mission movement is alive and well in The United Methodist Church! Participants testify to lives transformed and congregations renewed as they become involved in �service with others� mission outreach. New relationships are developed with persons from other cultures, and traditional walls of division are torn away as they participate in hands-on involvement.

The United Methodist Volunteers In Mission movement is one of the most exciting things happening in the church today. In 2003, over 69,779 persons were documented as having served on UMVIM teams and 102 individuals served in 25 countries, including the USA.

The Call to Mission � As old as the church itself

Volunteers in mission have been present since the beginning of the church. St. Paul was one of the earliest volunteers in mission. As a tentmaker, he financed his own missionary journeys to preach the Christian gospel and share the love of Christ with persons in many places. In more recent times, the concept of giving personal time in volunteer Christian service has developed into a major mission effort. All of God's children have unique gifts and skills which can be used in ministry. The Mission Volunteers Program Area facilitates the wise use of these gifts and skills.

The work of the church is done largely by volunteers! In 1976, a special movement was organized in the Southeast called United Methodist Volunteers In Mission (UMVIM). This "grass roots" organization gave direction and impetus to the volunteer effort in the United Methodist Church. Soon, conferences and jurisdictions organized to recruit, support, and coordinate projects for those wanting to make a difference in the world. The General Conference of 1980 officially sanctioned UMVIM. Since that time, thousands of volunteers have served throughout the world. For many who have chosen this form of mission, it has been a life changing experience.

The Volunteers who serve Volunteers In Mission, both lay and clergy, are engaged in Christian ministry. In fulfilling the work to which God has called us, we embody the UMVIM motto "Christian Love in Action". All of God's children have unique gifts and skills which can be used in ministry. Volunteers may serve locally in churches and communities - visiting, assisting in nursing homes, repairing houses, tutoring, etc. They may serve in annual conference projects such as community centers, children's centers, camps, and Vacation Bible Schools. They may serve nationally or internationally, sometimes ecumenically, in projects ranging from construction to evangelization to social outreach and medical assistance.

UMVIM works closely with the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), providing teams to assist in recovery from natural disasters and violent conflicts.