Mission & Outreach

A number of recent critiques of the way we do Christian mission, “When Helping Hurts,” “Toxic Charity,” “Dead Aid” and others, have caused us to take a hard look at the way we’ve engaged in missions. Our Missions Committee not only supports missions financially, but we have folks from our congregation who are actively involved in each project. Our objective is that we not just meet basic needs, but that we walk alongside people and help move them toward long-term sustainability.

85 HOPE is a free health clinic, located in Wabash, for people with no insurance. They offer: basic medical care, help with medications and health education. They are starting a clinic at North Manchester UMC in the near future!

Our church supports the local program financially and by volunteering to help pack the backpacks.

Blessings in a Backpack is a results-oriented program. This unique outreach is designed to feed elementary school children whose families qualify for the federal Free and Reduced Price Meal program, and have little to no food on the weekends. Better test scores, improved reading skills, positive behavior, improved health and increased attendance have all been attributed to the success of this program.

Manchester Campus Life is an evangelistic outreach to teenagers in our community, grades 9-12. The emphasis is on going to where the youth are at, such as high schools and at sporting events, develop relationships with them, invite them to Campus Life meetings and events, and lead them into a life of faith and discipleship. Campus life partners with the church, helping the youth become active in a local congregation.

Our church works with the Indiana Kairos which is a part of the national and international Kairos Prison Ministry. Kairos Prison Ministry International, Inc. is a Christian faith based ministry which shares the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ and addresses the spiritual needs of incarcerated men, women, youth and their families. Kairos hopes to change hearts, transform lives and impact the world.

At present Kairos Prison Ministry International has three programs. Men and women volunteer hundreds of hours be it actually working with individuals, praying, making cookies or preparing meals for our guests. We are presently actively involved with Kairos Inside: Well-organized and well-trained volunteer teams of men and women from the communities surrounding an institution present an introductory 3-day weekend, described as a short course in Christianity.

Each Tuesday morning, at 7:00 a.m., men and women meet at McDonalds for study and prayer.  My Utmost for His Highest is used for study.  You do not need to attend each week. Come join this group for coffee, study and prayer.