Roland Fernandes, Bishop Hee-Soo Jung and Changmin Lee at the Global Ministries-GBHEM exhibit. (Photo: Christie R. House)

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – The Korean Association of The United Methodist Church will enter into a covenant partner relationship with at least 140 global missionaries through Global Ministries, providing sustained prayers and financial support to missional ministry around the world. Korean United Methodist churches in the U.S. will provide gifts of at least $100 per month per missionary, for a term of at least three years, a commitment totaling more than $500,000.

“This is an exciting example of collaborative partnership in mission by a group of churches,” said Roland Fernandes, general secretary of Global Ministries and UMCOR. “The denomination faces a significant challenge with tightening budgets. This sustained commitment provides me with a great sense of hope for the future of our church in mission.” 

The Rev. Changmin Lee is president of the association and pastor of Los Angeles Korean United Methodist Church, the oldest Korean church in the contiguous United States. “Korean United Methodists have a long history of supporting missionaries with prayer and financial gifts. This commitment will further strengthen our partnership in mission and ministry.”

In the U.S., Korean American United Methodist churches integrate Wesleyan tradition with Korean spirituality and evangelism. There are 240 active congregations, more than 800 clergy, and one Korean American bishop, Hee-Soo Jung of the Wisconsin Annual Conference. 

Jung has served as president of Global Ministries Board of Directors since 2016. “As we seek to emerge from a season of great division within the church, this commitment illustrates how United Methodists are finding ways to join hands and hearts in mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world,” said Jung. 

Today, United Methodist missionaries serve in about 60 different countries, working as pastors and evangelists; teachers and educators; doctors, nurses and other health workers; agriculturalists; and community organizers and peacebuilders. Currently, more than 200 missionaries and mission volunteers and more than 300 nationals in mission are serving around the world, including more than 70 young adult Global Mission Fellows. 

Sixteen new missionaries were commissioned on Thursday, May 2 during opening worship at General Conference.

For more information about how to begin a Covenant Partner Relationship with a missionary, visit umcmission.org/covenants.

The General Board of Global Ministries
The General Board of Global Ministries, which includes the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), is the worldwide mission, humanitarian relief and development agency of The United Methodist Church. Founded in 1819, Global Ministries today supports more than 200 missionaries in over 60 countries, including the United States. It has personnel, projects and partners in more than 110 countries. Learn more at www.umcmission.org.

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