The Michigan Conference Board of Global Ministries expresses deep gratitude to 42 Michigan congregations that completed requirements for recognition as EngageMI Churches in 2020. Their giving met their neighbors’ needs.
KAY DEMOSS
Senior Content Editor
EngageMI is now entering its third year as the mission engagement program for The Michigan Conference. The Conference Board of Global Ministries announces the names of the congregations that met the steps to become an EngageMI church in 202.
Laurie Kaufman delaGarza received the reports for the board and compiled the list of those recognized for exceptional generosity. “I was thrilled to read the significant ministry done by our Michigan churches in a year with so many obstacles,” she remarks.
A total of 89 reports were reviewed by delaGarza. She reports, “Sixty-eight of those churches completed steps 2-6, and 57 completed the Learn and Act steps. Seventy-one of the 89 churches reporting paid 100% 0f Ministry Shares.”
She adds that 42 churches completed ALL the steps to become EngageMI churches. They are:
Central Bay District – Coleman Faith, Mayville, Shepherd, Wagarville, Watrousville, West Branch: First
East Winds District- Gaines, Grand Blanc, Flint: Court Street, Flushing, Lennon, Lexington, Sandusky: First, South Mundy, Port Huron: First, West Deerfield
Greater Detroit District- Birmingham: First, Dearborn: Good Shepherd, Gross Pointe, Howarth, Livonia: St. Matthew, Utica, Wyandotte
Greater Southwest District- Kalamazoo: Westwood
Heritage District- Monroe: St Paul, Northville
Midwest District- Fremont, Lowell: First, Rockford, Turk Lake
Mid–Michigan District– Bancroft, Holt, Nashville: Peace, Owosso: First
Northern Skies District- Engadine, Gladstone: Memorial, Gwinn, Hancock: First, Munising
Northern Waters District- Frankfort, Grawn, Old Mission Peninsula
Certificates will soon be mailed to those congregations to mark their achievement.
“Despite all the challenges that 2020 presented, 87 churches told God-filled stories of ministry,” delaGarza said. “Regardless of being closed to in-person worship most of the year, congregations found new creative and intentional means of remaining connected and caring for each other and their communities.” In fact, delaGarza noted that many stories told of “unexpected and amazing increase in giving due to the need created by the increase in food insecurity.”
On behalf of the Conference Board of Global Ministries, Laurie Kaufman delaGarza concludes, “Church buildings may be closed to many of the normal congregational activities, but the United Methodists in Michigan are still doing God’s work, locally and globally. All to the Glory of God!”
EngageMI challenges Michigan Conference congregations to comprehensive missional learning, giving, and action. The goal is to shift from transactional “ministry to” models to relational “ministry with” vulnerable people and communities. The EngageMI program consists of three focus areas: Learn, Give, Act.
See pages 8-11 of the EngageMI Book 2020-2021 to learn about the steps to become an EngageMI Church.
Last Updated on September 20, 2022