United Methodist Giving Tuesday received more than 3,350 Advance gifts totaling $677,399.
ELLIOTT WRIGHT
General Board of Global Ministries
Atlanta, Georgia, December 4, 2017—More than 3,350 gifts totaling $677,398.80 were received for missionary support, mission projects, and disaster relief in the 2017 UMC Giving Tuesday campaign on November 28.
The annual event benefits mission work supported in part through The Advance, the designated mission giving channel of The United Methodist Church, related to the General Board of Global Ministries and its United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) agency. The theme this year was “Connect Your Passion with God’s Mission.”
“We are grateful for the continuing faithful giving of United Methodist to mission outreach,” said the Rev. Russell Pierce, director of Global Ministries’ Mission Engagement Unit, which includes The Advance. “Giving Tuesday 2017 affirms United Methodist commitment to designated mission support.”
The 3,357 gifts came from 15 countries, the largest number from the United States, with the United States accounting for $670,290.80 of the total amount received. Of the gifts, 149 totaling $74,395 are for missionary support and 233 totaling $303,197.92 are for a range of worldwide mission projects. Sixty-seven donations totaling $299,805.88 are designated for UMCOR. One hundred percent of every Advance gift goes to the designated program.
Giving Tuesday is a broad-based observance encouraging support for humanitarian causes following the commercial Black Friday and Cyber Monday buying binges. Global Ministries and UMCOR are among the pioneers in the use of the occasion for faith-based giving.
Gifts made through The Advance, via Giving Tuesday or otherwise, are considered “second-mile” mission giving—beyond that which comes through funds apportioned to congregations though the annual (regional) system.
Gifts ranging from $35.00 to $2,500 came from the countries or territories of Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belize, Canada, Chile, Germany, Guam, Ireland, Italy, Mozambique, South Africa, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
“Global Ministries and UMCOR deeply appreciate the generosity of the people of The United Methodist Church and our friends on Giving Tuesday,” said Thomas Kemper, chief mission officer for The United Methodist Church. “This was the fifth year for UMC Giving Tuesday and it continues to be a significant event both for mission education and mission support.”
Last Updated on January 11, 2023