Other Missions
Hope Services, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Hope Services Ministry International provides holistic care in medical, psychological, social, educational and spiritual domains to the total person in the name of Jesus Christ to the Center, Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon. Under Mrs. Esther H. Ndichafah, Program Director, the program provides care that embodies medical, psychosocial, educational, and spiritual areas of an individual. It is open to all persons irrespective of tribe, race, status, sex, or religion, with emphasis on the underprivileged, prisoners, widows, orphans, handicapped, traumatized and the homeless. The programs are also currently meeting the health needs of Yaounde Urban Refugees. Hope Services has also started a micro-loan program to help aid individuals become self-sufficient. It also completed a structure for a bakery to produce income and provide jobs. Visit http://africanrelief.org/2011/08/31/hope-services/ for more information.
Hope Outreach International Ministries (HOIM)
Hope Outreach International Ministries (HOIM) is a Christian, non-profit organization dedicated to Evangelizing the lost through gospel crusades, camps and conferences; Empowering orphans, widows and those in need through Christ-centered vocational training; and Equipping ministers of the gospel through Christian seminars and resources. HOIM was founded by Julius Esunge, a native of Cameroon, West Africa. Since 2005, Julius and a team of missionaries have begun conducting annual mission trips to Cameroon, ministering at orphanages, prisons and higher education campuses, and organizing seminars and conferences for local church and ministry leaders. Visit http://www.hopeoutreachinternational.org/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx for more information.
The Oromo Project, Ethiopia
The mission of The Oromo Project is: “Serving the lost and poor of Ethiopia”. It’s special focus is amongst the Oromo People of Ethiopia, which is the largest people group in that country and is a designated unreached people group. Ministries include: Chronological Bible Storying; Medical/health outreaches; Micro-lending/Micro-business; Leadership training; and Edna E Fansler Prayer and counseling center for Women.
The Oromo Project team consists of three Ethiopians and two Americans. John and Kay McNally, the American team members, help plan, train and coordinate the work in Ethiopia. In the States, they recruit short term teams and raise funds for the project. Glas, Asru, and Gosh are locals who are completely committed and invested in the work of The Oromo Project. They come from a variety of backgrounds and are lawyers, IT professionals, but work full time in the ministry of The Oromo Project. These Ethiopians are the main interface with the communities and execute the team plans. They live with their families in the capital city of Addis Ababa. Visit http://theoromoproject.org/ for more information.
Ormond Nursing Home
Visits to nearby Ormond Nursing Home are a great way to spend some fellowship time with the elderly who don’t always have opportunities to get out and socialize. Ice cream sundae and Root Beer Float get-togethers are popular with nursing home residents and visitors alike. There are rarely leftovers, and sometimes are coordinated with musical performances, as well.
GRACE Camp
GRACE Camp (God's Really Awesome Camping Experience) is a five-day experience at Camp Istrouma in near Baton Rouge, La. An outgrowth of Kairos Prison Ministries, it’s designed to minister to some victims of crime that are often forgotten - the children of incarcerated persons. The annual event at Uskichitto Retreat Center is open to Louisiana children, ages nine-11, whose parent (or parents) are incarcerated. There is also a separate camp for teens. Staffed primarily with volunteers, the camp offers music, art and swimming instruction. The children experience a week away from the routines of their lives and are encouraged to embrace their creativity and develop effective life skills. Email grace_camp@live.com for more information.
Blood Drives
SCUMC Blood Drives are typically held in March and September, and provide our congregation – and those in our community – an opportunity to save multiple lives with a single donation and the investment of an hour’s time.
Mount Sequoia Mission, Arkansas
Mount Sequoyah Retreat and Conference Center was founded in 1922 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, which comprised the states of Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. Called the Western Methodist Assembly, it was planned as a summer retreat, spiritual center and faith-based training facility west of the Mississippi River. SCUMC has supported the Mt Sequoia retreat by spending 4-5 days performing pre-season maintenance work for the retreat in April. Visit http://mountsequoyah.org/ for more information.
LA Methodist Children’s Home
Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home is a leading faith-based provider of behavioral health services in Louisiana. LA-MCH offers a broad continuum of services which includes intensive home-based services, out-patient counseling and intensive residential treatment services for children and families experiencing crises, emotional stress and relationship problems. SCUMC participates in special offerings to fund Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home programs. Visit http://www.lmch.org/ for more information.
Missions Mailbox
Throughout the month of December, church members can leave Christmas Cards for each other in the Missions Mailbox. Instead of paying postage, a deposit can be left in the Missions Mailbox as a convenient way to exchange Christmas Greetings and help fund Missions programs at the same time.