It's fall so it is time to get ready for a new year of mission. EngageMI helps mission leaders raise awareness, give dollars and put hands to work with neighbors.

KAY DEMOSS
Senior Content Editor

EngageMI was first introduced at the 2018 Michigan Annual Conference. The program is intended to stir churches' passion to change the world with their resources, time, and hands-on presence.

This new model for mission engagement replaced the time-honored Spotlight Church (Detroit Conference) and Six Lanes of the Advance (West Michigan Conference). The program officially began in January 2019 and now the first year of EngageMI is drawing to a close.

In order to assist Michigan's mission leaders as they prepare for their congregations' 2020 mission engagement, two regional trainings are being offered. Participants may go to the location and date of their choosing: Sunday, September 15 in Grayling or Sunday, November 10 in Lansing. Local church and district mission leaders are especially encouraged to attend. These events are free of charge. Light refreshments will be served, and childcare will be available on request.

• Sunday, September 15, 2019: Michelson Memorial UMC, 400 Michigan Ave, Grayling, MI 49738; 2-5pm
• Sunday, November 10, 2019: Asbury UMC, 2200 Lake Lansing Rd, Lansing, MI 48912; 2-5pm

Each venue will offer five different workshops and participants will be able to choose two. Workshops are led by Conference Staff and local PIMs (Persons in Mission). These workshops will highlight ways local churches can engage in mission and ministry with their communities.

Engage with Local Schools | Kathy Pittenger, Children’s Initiatives Coordinator

This workshop will provide foundations upon which churches can build partnerships with local schools. We will cover topics such as why building partnerships are important, how to start, what kinds of things we can and cannot do, and more. Insights from local practitioners will be highlighted at each location. 

Engage in Disaster Response & Recovery Ministry | Nancy Money, Coordinator for Disaster Recovery Ministry

This workshop will provide a high level view on how the local church can engage in Disaster ministry. Topics will include “what is a disaster”, phases of a disaster, how can the local church provide help, overviews of what specific trainings are available including ERT, Connecting Neighbors and Ministry of Care.

Engage Cultural Vibrancy as a Discipleship Pathway | Brittney Stephan, Associate Director for Multicultural Vibrancy

Culture shapes our values, actions, and organizations. We are all impacted by societal “norms” and expectations in different ways. In order to provide equitable education in our ministry settings, we must assess our own cultural awareness and gain proficiency in understanding and appreciating the dynamics of difference. Come learn more about cultural vibrancy as a discipleship pathway to foster communities of learning.

Engage in Ministry with Our Latinx Neighbors | Sonya Luna, Missionary for Hispanic/Latino Ministries

The workshop will looking at ways that we, the church, can be relevant in the lives of our Latinx communities and how we can work with the Latinx community to make disciples for the transformation of the  world.

Engage Young Adults in Mission | Lisa Batten, Young Adult Initiatives Coordinator

The workshop will provide an overview of Conference programs that engage young adults in ministry through mission (Mission Intern, CDF Freedom Schools, Global Mission Fellow/US-2, and EncounterMICall) and how these programs can be a model for local churches to engage iwht young adults in their communities. Book recommendation: Growing Young: Six Essential Strategies to Help Young People Discover and Love Your Church by Kara Powell, Jake Mulder, and Brad M Griffin
September & November Local Practitioner: TBA

REGISTER HERE

EngageMI Conference & District Christ Centered Mission and Ministry (CCMM) Projects are invited to participate in a “Mission Fair” at each event. Projects wishing to be present in a Mission Fair should contact Paul Perez ([email protected]) or 517-347-4030 x 4076.

EngageMI challenges Michigan Conference congregations to comprehensive missional learning, giving, and action with the goal of shifting from transactional “ministry to” models to relational “ministry with” vulnerable people and communities. These workshops will help churches make that shift toward healthy and life-giving mission and ministry.