Church Partnerships

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Covenant Transformation

But concerning love of the brethren you have no need to have any one write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do love all the brethren throughout Macedonia. But we exhort you, brethren, to do so more and more, to aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we charged you; so that you may command the respect of outsiders, and be dependent on nobody.
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 RSV

TO: Mozambique Church Covenant Partners

During the 2010 Missouri Annual Conference, a transformation was announced for the Mozambique church covenant partnerships. That transformation will follow the vision of the United Methodist Church in Mozambique to be self-sustaining and to build leader capacity.

The transformation is summarized in the attached document that was in the conference workbook on pages C12-14.

Regarding future contributions there is nothing that you need to do differently. The amount of covenants and the account number are unchanged. You continue to send your covenant partner contributions following the usual process to the Missouri Conference treasurer’s office.

What is new is that the transformation adds two new allowable uses for funds.

We do need you to respond to the following question regarding your contributions that are already in the Missouri MI accounts in Maputo for each church. These were designated only for pastor support when your church sent them.

Will you allow those funds to be used, not only for pastor support, but also for grants and loans for self-sustainability projects and leader capacity-building?

Please email MI Coordinator Sarah Bollinger as soon as possible with your response. Many churches in Mozambique are already proposing and seeking funds for self-sustainability projects. In order to release the funds on hand toward the new uses we need your approval. In your email, be sure to identify yourself and the church you represent.

This is a new day in the United Methodist Church in Mozambique as the people move forward to self-sustainability. We pray that your congregation will help in these efforts! Many blessings, Carol

Vision of the UMC in Mozambique

  • A church that is equipped for holistic ministries to the community
  • A church that is renewed spiritually to build the Kingdom of God
  • A church with competent leadership that is committed to Christ
  • A church that is transparent and accountable at all levels
  • A church that is self-sustainable