PERSECUTED WOMAN IN PAKISTAN STANDS UP FOR CHRIST

We have been hearing more about persecution for Christians after Dr. Wende's trip to Central Asia. Here is a simple way that we can help be involved in petitioning to free this mother in Pakistan who stood up for Jesus at work and is now being sentenced to death. Please go to www.callformercy.com and sign the petition. It will take 30 seconds. Also, please share this information with others and ask them to pray for Asia Bibi. This is a sobering way for us to understand about living for Jesus at all costs.

LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES

Everyone, no matter their age or ability, can play an active role in helping to share the love, grace and good news of Christ with others. Several volunteer opportunities are available at First Methodist Houston and its partner agencies. Click on the link below to view our service opportunities booklet. We look forward to serving with you.

Service Opportunities Booklet

MISSION TRIPS

Our trips for 2012 include (use links below to find more information):
Haiti - February 25 - March 3
Eagle Pass - March 14-18
Cuba - May 5-12
Eagle Pass - May 17-21
Alaska - June 10-17
Thailand - June 18-29
Russia - July 18 - August 5
Guatemala - July 21-27
Eagle Pass - October 10 - 14
Nepal - October 16-30
Rwanda - February 2013

For more information about any of these service opportunities, contact the Missions Office (information listed above).

First Methodist Houston leases seven apartments in the Brompton Court Complex. These apartments are rented to out-of-towners whose loved ones are being treated at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

The mission was born out of love for the many families that brought their sick to be treated for cancer, but were unable to afford housing for themselves. These apartments are dedicated to the glory of God and the healing of the patient.

The Brompton Court Complex is a gated community approximately two miles from the Texas Medical Center. The complex has five swimming pools and an exercise room available for the tenants. There is a shuttle that goes to the Medical Center every hour.

Each apartment is fully furnished.

• Living room: recliner, couch that opens to a queen-sized bed, bookshelf, desk, chairs
• Kitchen: dinette set with four chairs, stove, dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, pots, pans, dishes, pantry
• Bedrooms: Some bedrooms have two twin beds; two have king-sized beds and one has a queen-sized bed. Linens and towels are provided.
• Recreation: There is also a television and DVD player in every living room and a television in the bedroom. We furnish a local phone, high-speed internet service and cable TV.

To apply for one of these apartments, contact the Church Apartment Ministry office at
713-524-2640 or apply online at www.churchapartmentministry.org.

Are your children asking tough questions about God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit? Are you ready to explain more about faith with them but find the explanation too advanced? "Mommy, What Is Salvation" is the story of a child with questions about a term she has learned at church and doesn't understand. The mother asks God to help her with an explanation. The story that unfolds is that explanation. A simple way to explain a complex, even unexplainable act of God's grace.

Click here for more information about "Mommy, What is Salvation?" and the Salvation to Children Project.

"Investing in [children] is not a national luxury or a national choice. It's a national necessity.'" - Marian Wright Edelman

For several years, members of First Methodist Houston have invested in the children in our community by being a tangible example of God's great love, spending time with them, sharing the Gospel with them, and supporting them in academics. Currently, our outreach is to three area schools - Bush Elementary, Gregory Lincoln Education Center and Port Houston Elementary.

BUSH ELEMENTARY

Members of Stitches of Glory, the sewing circle at the Westchase Campus, hold after-school classes to teach sewing skills to 3rd and 4th graders at Bush Elementary (9730 Stroud, 77036 - Alief ISD). This program continues to grow and provide more activities for the students.

This outreach also needs volunteers to encourage children in academics, help with homework, and tutor in reading and math.

Immediate need: Bush Elementary is in need of male mentors, especially bilingual mentors. For more information, contact the Missions Office (information listed above).

GREGORY LINCOLN EDUCATION CENTER

First Methodist Houston helps meet the school-related needs of students at Gregory Lincoln Education Center (1101 Taft), a K-8th Grade Fine Arts Magnet school in the Fourth Ward. First Methodist provides school supplies, gym and school uniforms, shoes, and hygiene and toiletry items.

First Methodist volunteers also help students progress academically. Volunteers are needed to act as mentors and tutors. The school is very flexible about the time/day you tutor and will work with your schedule. 

PEOPLE ON THE RIGHT TRACK (PORT)

Every Wednesday evening (5-8pm) during the school year, First Methodist Houston hosts a Bible study, dinner, arts and crafts, and recreational activities for the children and youth of the Port Houston community.

Volunteers are needed to serve as small group leaders and assistants, food servers, bus riders, gym and arts/crafts organizers.

For more information about the PORT program, contact Roxana Hebert at 832-668-1884.

MENTORING/TUTORING: PORT HOUSTON ELEMENTARY

Work with a small group of students as they build their math, science, reading and writing skills. No training necessary. A teacher will present a lesson to the students and tutors. The tutors then assist the students with reinforcement activities.

Tutorials take place at Port Houston Elementary School (1800 McCarty, 77029). Volunteers are needed from 3:15 - 5:15 p.m. Monday - Friday. Volunteers should be able to commit to one afternoon per week for the semester.

Volunteers must register with HISD as a Volunteer in Public Schools and can do so here: http://amun.houstonisd.org/visits/en-us/Account/Register.aspx

For more information about any of these community outreaches, contact the Missions Office (information listed above).

Millions of people search for God every day online. As an online missionary, in connection with Global Media Outreach, you can respond to people around the world who are looking for God. You can pray for them, help them begin discipleship or just encourage them with scripture if they are working through relationship, financial or other spiritual issues.

Join in God's ministry to reach searching hearts and share Jesus with more people than you ever thought possible from the comfort of your home or office. You can be part of a pioneering ministry that reaches thousands of people each day.

If you are interested in becoming an online missionary or would like to receive more information, contact our church coordinator, Al Brown.

 

Disaster Relief Services provides support to those suffering as a result of natural or man-made disasters in a manner that shows Christ cares for these individuals.

The Early Response Team (ERT) works with other ERTs from the Texas Annual Conference to accomplish this. The team is capable of being deployed within 250 miles of Houston, and, on rare occasions, to national and international disaster sites.

For more information about Disaster Relief Services, contact the Missions Office (information listed above).

The Home Repair Ministry assists the elderly or those who are economically disadvantaged with home repairs. Each client must own their own home and demonstrate need for financial assistance. Applicants are reviewed according to team skills and budget availability.

Click here to request assistance.

For more information, contact the Missions Office (information listed above).

PERSPECTIVES ON THE WORLD CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT

Partner ministries are agencies and organizations whose mission and service efforts align with those of the Missions Ministry at First Methodist Houston.

Partner ministries are not only supported financially - many members and friends of First Methodist Houston supply these agencies with manpower by volunteering on a regular basis.

LOCAL PARTNER MINISTRIES
The Beacon
Christian Alliance for Humanitarian Aid
Church Apartment Ministry
Emergency Aid Coalition
House of Amos
Innerchange Freedom Initiative
Life Center for the Homeless
Open Door Mission
Redemption House Transitional Living Facility
Skills for Life Prison Ministry
Wesley Community Center
West Houston Assistance Ministries

INTERNATIONAL PARTNER MINISTRIES
Becas Con Bendiciones (Scholarships With Blessing)
Bishram Ministries Nepal
Commission to Every Nation
Global Media Outreach
His Voice for Sudan
International Leadership Institute
Mission on the Move
ZOE Ministry

The Missions Ministry of First Methodist Houston supports these missionary families:

• Andres and Angela Akamine serving in Montpellier, France
• Scott and Monti Channon serving at Mission Aviation Fellowship Headquarters in Nampa, Idaho
• Henry and Sarah Clines serving at Becas con Bendiciones in Honduras
• Jim and Kay Hines serving Guatemala through Commission to Every Nation