Christ Centered Mission & Ministry in Michigan
Give to at least one Michigan Project or a Michigan Special Sunday. In these Michigan Projects we connect to:
* Share God’s Love with Others
* Build the Beloved Community
* Develop Leaders
Special Sundays
Special Sundays are designated Sundays throughout the year that provide opportunities for giving. These special offerings are earmarked and support designated ministries.
Special Sundays that qualify as Michigan Projects are: Christian Education Sunday, Disability Awareness Sunday, Golden Cross Sunday, Rural Life Sunday, and UNVIM Sunday.
On these Sundays, we empower our congregations to give toward causes and organizations that promote sustainable life change.
These offerings help offer refuge in times of disaster, promote peace and justice, provide scholarships, reach out to the community, teach skills to encourage self-sufficiency and share the love of Jesus Christ with God’s people everywhere.
Follow the links below to learn about District Projects you might want to support
Central Bay District
East Winds District
Greater Detroit District
Greater Southwest District
Heritage District
Northern Skies District
Western Waters District
After The Storm
CCMM# 3064
After the Storm is a nonprofit organization launched by the Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church in 2022. It provides Disaster Case Management which is a client-centered approach to assisting survivors of natural disasters achieve their long-term recovery goals. Disaster Case Managers meet with clients for assessment and setting goals, help clients in accessing federal, state, and local assistance, coordinate home repair and rebuild projects, and refer to other social services as needed.
Asbury Community Development Corporation
CCMM#3003
Since its inception in 2014, Asbury Community Development Corporation has sought to provide much-needed resources to underserved neighborhoods in
the City of Flint. Early on, the City re-zoned several tracts of abandoned land to become “Green Zones” on the eastside of the City, and it was on this land that Asbury CDC established one of the largest urban farms in Michigan. It remains one of our core operations, employing dozens of youth each year to farm the land. With financial support from Conference Engage
Donations, as well as financial support from the Flint/Genesee Chamber of Commerce, the Youth participate in all aspects of the farm operation, from
growing the food, distributing the food, operating our Farmers Market, and learning culinary skills in our workshops.
In 2019, Asbury CDC expanded to operate The South Flint Soup Kitchen, located in an underserved neighborhood on the southside of Flint. Free lunches are served five days a week at the Soup Kitchen, and the location also houses clothing distributions. Asbury CDC now also operates a food trailer. All is made possible with the generous support of our Engage donors.
Baldwin Center
CCMM# 3036
The mission of the Baldwin Center in Pontiac is to “Feed, Clothe, Educate, and Empower.” Baldwin’s Family Kitchen provides over 60,000 meals per year to those in need. The Center also provides clothing and household goods, a summer day camp, and an after-school youth program. Youth gather weekly for academic support, a warm meal, and engaging enrichment opportunities. The Center also provides laundry facilities, commodity distribution to low-income seniors, and a holiday gift and food program.
Blue Water United Methodist Free Store & Ministry Center
CCMM#3061
Both the Free Store and Ministry Center in Port Huron are meeting very critical needs in the surrounding community. Being able to provide free clothing and other basic items is essential in being able to help those who are either underserved, marginalized, or facing financial issues. By hosting several AA and other recovery-based gatherings, the Ministry Center has become a safe space where people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences are able to build community together on their continual road to recovery.
Campus Ministry in The Michigan Conference
CCMM#3056
Gifts to this fund support all the campus ministries in the Michigan Conference through the Division of Higher Education and Campus Ministry. UM campus faith communities nurture bold and effective young adult leaders by promoting healthy spiritual and social development on campuses through community building, creative connections, worship, study, and service.
Cass Community Social Services
CCMM#3005
Cass Community Social Services offers programs to people living in areas of concentrated poverty in Detroit. Each year 700,000 meals are served; 400 men, women, and children are housed; 100 developmentally disabled adults participate in a skill-building program; hundreds get medical care through a free clinic with the help of WSU; and up to 85 people are employed in their Green Industries program. In addition, Cass is developing a neighborhood of Tiny Homes adjacent to the main Cass Campus. There are currently 33 homes with more to come.
Centro Familiar Christiano – Summer Children’s Program, Sugar Crash
CCMM#3052
This summer program at Centro Familiar Christiano UMC seeks to provide an opportunity for educational and spiritual growth for children of the Melvindale community within a safe, supportive multi-cultural experience at the church. The children gather each weekday for educational and spiritual programs and lunch during the month of July.
Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools Program
CCMM#3049
CDF-Freedom Schools is a literacy-based program that is framed in cultural enrichment. The 6-week program focuses on an integrated reading curriculum developed by the Children’s Defense Fund, is implemented by trained young adult interns, and is supervised by skilled supervisors. The program enriches learning through afternoon activities and weekly field trips. The sites serve some of the most educationally underserved children of Flint and Detroit.
Clark Retirement Community Foundation
CCMM#3038
The Clark Retirement Community Foundation gives opportunities to support the mission of Clark, primarily through gifts to Benevolent Care which provides financial support to those residents who, through no fault of their own, have depleted their financial resources. Other services include the Montessori Aging and Dementia program, Music Therapy, and many life enrichment activities. Spiritual life remains strong and an integral part of life at Clark. The renovation of Clark Chapel has become an ecumenical cornerstone of spirituality for our residents and has ensured our legacy of faith since 1906.
Community Ministries Program (at Grand Rapids: Trinity United Methodist Church)
CCMM#3006
Our mission is to create a vibrant, welcoming, and safe space where children, youth, and families can explore, learn, grow, and connect. Through unique and innovative programming like our Wednesday Kid’s Club (2nd-5th), Transitions Program (6-8th), Faith on the Fly (Fly Fishing Group), and My Life in Pieces (Tough Community Conversations Program) we spark curiosity, build relationships, and strengthen our community in partnership with local non-profits and neighborhood associations.
Connexion Summer Intern Program (formerly Mission Intern)
CCMM#3065
The Connexion Young Adult Intern program is designed to support young adults in their discernment of vocation. Through a collaboration of local congregations, UM-related non-profits, the MI Conference Board of Young People’s Ministry, and connectional ministry staff, young adults engage in an eight-week program, serve in ministry and missional settings, and receive training, mentoring, and peer support. A focus on experiential learning and self-reflection leads participants to gain clarity about “what is my most faithful next step.”
The program relies on local UMCs and UM-related non-profits to identify and recruit young adults in their community to join the program. Interns must complete a four-day onboarding experience that includes trauma-informed, human-centered design, scripture reflection, and leadership development activities. Interns are paid up to 40 hours weekly to work in a ministry or missional setting and attend weekly peer group meetings.
French UMC (Metro-Detroit), Ministry with Immigrants
CCMM#3055
At French UMC in Detroit, we welcome immigrant and refugee families with love and hope. We gather for worship in French and English, with interpretation to assist newcomers, along with Bible study, prayer and counseling. We also provide food, education, socialization, practical assistance, transportations, translation from French or African language to English, job-search support for newcomers, youth and children’s programs, and family support. Rooted in United Methodist values, our mission is to walk with people in faith, welcome newcomers, strengthen families, partnering with local churches to furnish homes and supply clothing and share Christ’s love through service and fellowship. Rev. Gertrude Mwadi Mukalay “Senior Pastor” and Rev. Dr. John Ilunga Ngoie Kabala “co-pastor”.
God’s Country Community Ministry
CCMM#3044 or Advance #3020435
Our mission is to share God’s love by serving families living near or below the poverty line in the central Upper Peninsula. Our key programs include the “Church Mouse” free store, warm clothing giveaways to our local schools, home improvements and accessibility additions with Volunteer in Mission teams, and providing gas cards and food boxes. The “Church Mouse” is a free store with clothing, household goods, and furniture. We are open for emergencies as needed. We receive donations of these items from our area and beyond.
Grace Outside: Michigan Area United Methodist Camping
CCMM#3017
Grace Outside is the camp and retreat ministry of the Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church. Grace Outside invites people to experience the love of God through outdoor and camping retreat experiences. Our mission is G.R.A.C.E. It reflects the need felt by people of all ages to experience God’s love, Rest, Adventure, Community, and Empowerment. It is our joy to intentionally share this G.R.A.C.E. through hospitality, incredible retreat experiences, youth summer camps, family camping opportunities, camps for adults with disabilities, and partnerships with groups that share our mission. We are committed to this work because camping changes lives and many peoples’ faith was deepened by camping as well as clergy who came into leadership in the church through camping experiences.
Immanuel UMC Food Pantry in Eastpointe
CCMM#3069
Immanuel UMC welcomes hundreds each week who are trying to stretch groceries to the end of the month. Love is shared through food and prayers.
Immigration Law & Justice – Michigan
CCMM#3013
ILJ Michigan provides free and low-cost immigration legal services. Our legal providers assist immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and unaccompanied refugee minor children navigate the increasingly complex immigration system, protecting them from fraud and exploitation. Originally a program of the United Methodist Church, we merged several years ago and now offer services through four physical offices in Traverse City, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Dearborn.
Joy Southfield Community Development Corporation
CCMM#3012
Joy-Southfield CDC was founded by Second Grace UMC in 2001 and serves the far west side of Detroit. Thirty-four percent of the residents in the Cody Rouge community live below the federal poverty level and many are single parents or older adults. Programs include home repairs; youth and family mentoring; access to healthy food through a farmer’s market; and local economic development. Financial literacy and homeowner counseling are new programs.
Keep Kids Warm
CCMM#3070
Ishpeming Wesley UMC provides winter outerwear for children in need. A Care Closet also shares other clothing. We have just completed our 16th winter of Project Keep Kids Warm. Our Mission: To fulfill 100% of the requests for new winter outerwear for children in need in our communities. New winter outerwear includes coats/jackets, snowpants, boots, mittens/gloves, and hats. Winter 25-26, we provided new winter outerwear to children – clothing items. Project Keep Kids Warm includes ALL people. Anyone can make a request for clothing. Families can make requests for siblings. We reach out to 5 local school districts (elementary, middle school, and high school) and their pre-schools, local HeadStarts, and our adult special education class. Our target population is children from infants to 18-year-olds (high school seniors). These children are from low-income families who are often underserved/at-risk. We occasionally are asked to help at-risk adults who need new winter outerwear and/or families who have lost their clothing in house fires. We want everyone to be warm during our cold, snowy Upper Peninsula winters! 100% of the funds we raise are spent on winter outerwear for children in need. Our only expense is for new winter outerwear. Funds are generated through grants, business donations, and individual donations. Our volunteer shoppers shop the spring clearance sales and other sales – attempting to maximize our funding. New winter outerwear is a blessing, an act of kindness, an act of compassion. Families are thankful for the “new clothing” rather than ”gently used clothing.” It means a lot to them.
Methodist Children’s Home Society
CCMM#3016
The Methodist Children’s Home Society provides individualized treatment, care,advocacy, and permanency to children and families impacted by childhood trauma.Through residential, transitional living, foster care, and adoption programs, as well as educational and clinical services, MCHS provides for and advocates on behalf of victims of child abuse and neglect.
Michigan Disaster Preparedness and Response
CCMM#3007
Michigan Disaster Preparedness and Response provides a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of a disaster. Following UMCOR values and training, MI UMC coordinates with national, state, and local agencies to bring wholeness to disaster zones. Early Response Team (ERT) volunteers arrive only after first responders have completed their rescue missions. This project prepares for disasters, trains and coordinates early response teams to help survivors clean up after a disaster, and provides training in disaster preparation for churches.
After the early response, disaster recovery case management is provided by After the Storm, another EngageMI project.
Michigan Volunteers in Mission
CCMM#3058
Michigan Volunteers in Mission, a ministry of the Michigan Conference, encourages and assists churches to organize and lead volunteer mission journeys. Michigan VIM works with both individuals and church groups, experienced, just starting, and of all ages. VIM teams focus on everything from relationship building to construction, medical, and wellness programming. Michigan VIM provides scholarships for first-time participants, assists with trip health care insurance, and provides training for team leaders and members.
Mission for Area People
CCMM#3018
Mission for Area People is a faith-based organization serving Muskegon County residents by providing resources that meet basic needs, promote self-sufficiency, and enhance quality of life. Since 1967, it has offered emergency services and educational programs that empower neighbors in need. MAP now provides a free medical clinic and a community health worker who connect patients to essential resources, helping them improve their health, stability, and overall well-being within a caring and compassionate community.
Motor City Wesley
CCMM#3019
Motor City Wesley supports young adults on campuses and in churches across Metro Detroit in faith-filled practices of creativity, community, and holy conspiracy for God’s goodness. $100 micro-grant service projects, summer internships, worship gatherings, recording benefit albums, and more help students find their role as agents of Jesus’ justice and mercy. Motor City Wesley is proud to be a part of the MI UMC on Campus, ZOE On Campus, and UMCMA campus ministry networks.
Motown Mission
CCMM#3020
Motown Mission provides service-learning opportunities in Detroit. Alongside neighbors, volunteers serve together, build community, love boldly, and enact justice. Worship, bible study, and exploring the city help volunteers understand their time in Detroit in the broader context of what God is always doing here. Service projects focus on environmental justice, safe housing, and food security. Motown Mission also provides opportunities for college-aged summer staffers to participate in leadership development and spiritual discernment.
NOAH at Central
CCMM#3028
At NOAH at Central, we build trusting relationships with unhoused individuals grounded in dignity and respect. Utilizing our Bag Lunch Program as an initial engagement strategy, we welcome people experiencing homelessness to become a part of our community.
We invite them to take part in a range of programs and services, connecting them with supportive partners across Detroit, and walk alongside them on their individual journeys. At Noah, we support individuals by developing trusting relationships.
North End Community Ministries
CCMM#3021
North End Community Ministry is an interfaith ministry whose mission is to show the love of Jesus Christ through providing practical assistance and educational opportunities to improve the quality of life for those we serve in need on the NE side of Grand Rapids, MI.
Pa Wa Ting – Native American Elders Program
CCMM#3023
Pa Wa Ting is an outreach program to Native American Elders and their families in the Grand Rapids area. They provide weekly meals, relational support, and Native culture and language-based activities.
Redford Brightmoor Initiative
CCMM#3024
Redford Brightmoor Initiative is a community non-profit organization that provides families in Detroit, Redford, and well beyond with essential goods and services as a means of achieving stability while building community. We achieve this through our weekly Free Stores as well as food and health programming, car repair, youth and holiday events, and more.
Sacred Space Campus Ministry at Northern Michigan University
CCMM#3063
NMU Wesley Campus Ministry is now known as Sacred Space Campus Ministry. We are an intentional, ecumenical, and expansive faith community that supports students and young adults through their time at Northern and beyond. We strive to do this by creating a loving and welcoming community for all. Support provides funding for meals, service trips, supplies for Bible and book studies, and community outreach projects.
Samaritan Counseling Center of Southeastern Michigan
CCMM#3050
Samaritan Counseling Center provides professional therapeutic counseling and educational services to all God’s people seeking wholeness through emotional and spiritual growth. Between 27 therapists, SCC can welcome individual adults, families, couples, teens, and children.
Semilla Centro Church Start
CCMM#3071
A new Hispanic Church serving communities in southwest Michigan with particular focus on migrant and seasonal farm workers. Offers worship, social engagement, and education.
South End Community Outreach Ministries (SECOM) Resource Center
CCMM#3026
SECOM Resource Center provides food, resources, and connections for neighbors in the 49507 area of Grand Rapids and surrounding communities. Our programs include a choice-based food pantry, mobile pop-up pantries, resource navigation services, youth and senior programs, and community empowerment initiatives. We believe in meeting needs with dignity and building pathways toward stability and wellness.
South Lansing Ministries
CCMM#3027
South Lansing Ministry’s mission is Empowering People/ Ending Poverty. We are helping by providing food and personal needs items to those in our community experiencing poverty. Grocery prices have skyrocketed over the last year, and more families are having trouble making ends meet. We strive to provide healthy, nutritional food to help fill that gap. In addition, we furnish personal needs items that cannot be bought with SNAP benefits, such as dish soap, laundry soap, toilet paper, shampoo, bar soap, razors, and adult incontinence products.
UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation
CCMM#3030
Brio Living Services has been a leader in innovative aging services since 1906, offering Michigan’s most economically diverse housing options and services to older adults. Its fundraising arm, the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation, was established to help keep our faithful founders’ promise of Benevolent Care for qualified residents who outlive their resources. As the older adult population continues to grow, your gifts to Benevolent Care help ensure that our residents always have a home where they are loved and treasured.
United Campus Christian Fellowship – Grand Rapids Area
CCMM#3031
United Campus Christian Fellowship hopes to do three things: Engage, Inspire, and Equip. Engage students, faculty, and staff in an inclusive and affirming community. Inspire all with the love and unity of Christ. Equip each to pursue justice and mercy faithfully. However, we know that college students are struggling. Many students do not have their basic needs met. In fact, one in three college students at four-year institutions will face food
insecurity. To combat this issue and cultivate a supportive community, UCCF hosts two meals a week, a combined lunch for KCAD and GRCC, and dinner for GVSU. At these meals, we focus on checking in with students; talking to them about their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. We also host weekly Bible study and Listening Hours for one-on-one meetings with students.
United Methodist Community House
CCMM#3029
United Methodist Community House (UMCH) has been a community pillar for Grand Rapids since 1902. UMCH operates a robust program model that supports our mission to strengthen our community across generations through life-changing programs and services. We provide comprehensive outreach and support services for older adults 60+; early childhood education for children from birth through 4 years old; engagement and academic support for youth from kindergarten through 6th grade; and access to nutritious, locally produced food in our Fresh Market.
Urban Methodist Youth Camp
CCMM# 3051
The Urban Methodist Youth Camp (UMYC) seeks to connect youth and young adults from all walks of life to the grace of God that meets them wherever they are, and no matter who they are. At camp time, leaders and campers create a beloved community, where all can connect with God’s prevenient grace, experience God’s justifying grace through
devotions, song, Bible Study, and a Communion Service, and trust that God’s love
(sanctifying grace) follows them back to their homes, neighborhoods, schools, and
churches.
Vietnamese UMC (Grand Rapids), Ministry with Immigrants
CCMM# 3053
Grand Rapids Vietnamese UMC is mainly made up of Vietnamese refugees and immigrants and their U.S.-born children. Funds will support their humanitarian efforts, including clothing, basic medical care, and food, as well as their food truck partnership with the Asian Community Outreach. They also seek to address racism, specifically Asian Hate, and would like to partner with other churches in this effort.
Vietnamese UMC (Madison Heights), Ministry with Immigrants
CCMM# 3054
Our mission at the Vietnamese Mission Church in the Detroit area is to share God’s love with unreached Vietnamese people, build a strong, loving community, and develop faithful leaders. We reach out through special music concerts and outreach events, gather every Sunday for worship and fellowship, and grow together through Bible study twice a week, equipping believers to serve and lead with Christ’s heart.
Madison Heights Vietnamese UM Ministry also provides community services to assist new immigrants. Included are English language classes and free Vietnamese interpretation for medical and social work-type needs.
Wesley House – Ferris State University
CCMM#3032
FSU Wesley is a campus community where students discover faith, belonging, and purpose together. Through worship, shared meals, and small groups, we’re creating space for questions, growth, and hope. Rooted in love and community, we’re learning to follow Jesus in ways that build bridges, challenge injustice, and bring healing to our campus and world.
Wesley Foundation – Central Michigan University
CCMM# 3042
Wesley at CMU is an intentionally open and authentic campus ministry at Central Michigan University. This ministry journeys with young adults as they claim their God-given belovedness and discern how to be God’s love in the world. Wesley at CMU offers weekly worship, meals, and fellowship and hosts special events, retreats, and service projects throughout the year. These programs gather young adults in community across culture, belief, and religious tradition, building relationships that honor God’s diverse creation and all-inclusive love.
Wesley Foundation – Kalamazoo
CCMM# 3043
The Wesley Foundation of Kalamazoo at Western Michigan University creates spaces that foster faith, community, and spiritual growth for students in the Kalamazoo area. Through a variety of programs and gatherings, students are invited to explore their beliefs, ask bold questions, and build meaningful relationships. In partnership with local organizations and ministries, Wesley also opens its space to the wider Kalamazoo community, providing opportunities for connection, collaboration, and shared learning through both ministry and programming.
Wesley Foundation – Michigan State University
CCMM# 3040
Wesley Foundation at Michigan State University is a Christian community of young adults who love without exception, serve without judgment, and rejoice without restraint. We aim to become a community hub at the corner of Trowbridge and Harrison, known among East Lansing’s young adults as a progressive and inclusive community providing programs and resources for their emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being.
Wesley Foundation – University of Michigan
CCMM#3047
The Wesley Foundation at the University of Michigan offers diverse programs for university students and the campus community. This inclusive community promotes care, service, and learning, fostering growth regardless of differences like ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or physical ability. Our shared foundation is rooted in God’s love through Jesus Christ, emphasizing the Gospel’s social impact and personal faith development.