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This story, covering UMCOR’s work, is Part One of a two-part series. Part Two, on health care ministries, will publish in November.

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Rev. Eric Kalumba, a missionary with Global Ministries, is dedicated to spreading the Gospel and establishing new United Methodist churches throughout the island of Madagascar.
The United Methodist Committee on Relief has supported relief operations in Gaza, the West Bank throughout 2024 and into the early months of 2025.
An UMCOR Mustard Seed Migration Grant helps Legacy UMC in North Dakota use cooking as way to create welcome, fellowship and community for Ukrainian immigrants.
Twenty-three missionaries are now commissioned for service, sent forth to embody the love of God in 15 countries on behalf of The United Methodist Church.
General Secretary Roland Fernandes offers a statement on the ceasefire agreement and the mission agency’s commitment to continue working for a just and sustainable peace.
Roland Fernandes reflects on cooperative work with the World Council of Churches (WCC), and why ecumenism is so necessary in today’s world. 
Clean-up and assessment after Hurricane Helene enters new phases of disaster recovery. Three conferences receive grants to prepare for long-term programs.
What do Human Relations Day offerings support? Southfield-Hope UMC offers a Closet of Hope Food Pantry to its community that goes beyond charity.
Six missionaries honored by fellow missionaries and staff as they retire at the end of 2024.
Recently commissioned EarthKeepers consider how God calls them to merge care for the physical world with care for people’s spiritual needs.

Contact Information

Have questions? Send us an inquiry and we’ll get back to you promptly. Please direct all media inquiries to Susan Clark, chief communications officer for Global Ministries and UMCOR.

General Inquiries

Media Inquiries

Susan Clark, Chief Communications Officer
media@umcmission.org
800-862-4246

UMCOR Campaigns

Six Years, No Solution: A 500-Gallon Tank Carries Hope to West Virginia’s Forgotten

McDowell County is one of the poorest in the U.S., and the communities of Anawalt, Leckie and Gary are some of the hardest hit by the current six-year water crisis. All have Methodist churches that are part of the Welch Charge.

To ease the burden of residents who have to purchase many gallons of drinking water weekly, the Welch Charge contacted the West Virginia Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, Jim McCune, for help. McCune’s United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) connection put him in touch with Global Ministries’ Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program. 

A WASH grant allowed them to obtain a 500-gallon “water buffalo.” The conference disaster response team arranged to fill the portable water buffalo from the Welch water system, the county seat of McDowell, and transport it to Gary, where residents have been supplied with refillable containers. Residents of all three towns can come to get water, and volunteers will also continue deliveries for those who need it. Meanwhile, residents, including church members, continue to advocate state and local officials for a permanent solution to their aging, compromised water infrastructure. Full Story