Global Ministries News & Stories

Farewell messages for Thomas Kemper
As Thomas Kemper completes his tenure as General Secretary, members of the United Methodist family from around the world share their appreciation, well wishes and bid him a grateful farewell for his many years of dedicated service.
Health access and coverage: an issue of justice
By Kathy GriffithSeptember 2020 | ATLANTA The United Methodist Church’s Abundant Health Initiative is committed to reaching a million and more children with life-saving interventions, a goal…
Global Mission Fellows to serve in United States blessed in virtual service
Joining as one in spirit despite being physically separated due to the pandemic, seven GMFs on the US-2 track were blessed for ministry during a virtual service on August 26.
Global Ministries remembers Bishop John Yambasu
Leaders of the agency and its board of directors recall the influence Bishop Yambasu had on the church as a whole and specifically within the work of mission.
Remembering Bishop John Yambasu
Thomas Kemper reflects on the meaningful personal and professional relationship he had with Bishop Yambasu, who died on August 16 in Sierra Leone.
The Light of Peace
Global Ministries joins the World Council of Churches in celebrating "The Light of Peace: Churches in Solidarity with the Korean Peninsula." This important new work includes reflections on peacemaking from Bishop Hee-Soo Jung and Thomas Kemper and recognizes the continuing conflict in Korea, seventy years after it began in 1950.
Kemper says farewell to missionaries; receives appreciation
United Methodist missionaries from around the world gathered virtually on August 11 to hear a farewell message from and pay tribute to Thomas Kemper who is leaving the post of general secretary at the end of the month.
Responding with love and compassion to serve neighbors in need
Like many places in the world, Vietnam is facing economic impacts from the novel coronavirus. The Vietnam Mission Initiative partnered with Global Ministries Asia Pacific Regional Office, Scranton Women’s Leadership Center, and the Wesley Foundation to offer concrete love and compassion to its neighbors.
Transforming the world in a rural cooperative ministry
Shirley Townsend-Jones, a Church and Community Worker missionary in South Carolina, works with a rural African American cooperative ministry. Her ministry pulls together people from nine churches to face challenges, transform their communities, and celebrate the small victories of each day.
Laos Mission Initiative grows and extends ministries
Global Ministries’ Laos Mission Initiative celebrates 20 years of service with increased membership, new clergy members and local pastors, and more engagement with local community members.
A short history of Global Mission Fellows
The first Methodist short-term, young adult missionary program began in 1948, sending young adults to serve 3-year assignments in Asian countries devastated during World War II. Today, Global Mission Fellows come from many different countries and serve in placements around the world.
Global Ministries welcomes shut down of Dakota Access Pipeline
Global Ministries welcomes the decision of a U.S. federal judge to shut down the Dakota Access Pipeline, pending a thorough study of the environmental impact of the 1,172-mile ribbon of oil opposed by Native Americans, notably among the Sioux.