Our mission statement calls us to be more like Jesus Christ for our community and beyond. FUMCB is making a commitment to being Christ beyond our community in Belmont by participating in a partnership with Project AGAPE (American Greater Armenian Partnership Efforts).
Project AGAPE is the collaborative effort of both United Methodist conferences in North Carolina, who have worked in cooperation with the Armenian Apostolic Church for 27 years, some 6,000 miles away in the Euro-Asian part of the world. More specifically, Armenia and Artsakh in the Kashatagh region. Long-standing, multi-layered conflict prevents any other humanitarian group from working with the people of this area. Therefore, the United Methodist Church is their only hope to provide aid and develop ways to help the people prosper. Project AGAPE has shared the love of Christ by providing humanitarian aid (clothing, cloth for sewing, school supplies, etc.) wells for small towns, schools, children’s homes, rebuilding homes for families and schools for communities, as well as an agriculture development project to help families have a sustainable living.
In November 2020, our Christian brothers and sisters of Artsakh and Armenia became under attack by terrorists from Azerbaijan. After six weeks a peace resolution was signed but not without a cost. The conflict left 1,300 Armenians dead and an estimated 100,000 people have been displaced since their land was taken by the Azerbaijanis. The tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan increased in September 2023 when Azerbaijan attacked several areas around Stepanakert, the capital of Artsakh, where approximately 100,000 Armenians live. Project AGAPE will continue to serve the displaced people from the war that began in 2020 and the skirmishes that continue today. The Project will continue to accomplish its vision by sharing food, clothing, basic supplies, development projects, vocational training, Christmas Shoeboxes, and hope to those we are serving. Please be in prayer for the displaced people, the Project AGAPE staff, and our ministry/mission work through the Project AGAPE Center in Vayk, Armenia.
Project AGAPE, continues to focus on providing aid to families that no longer have a place to live. FUMCB is committed to working with Project AGAPE to participate with them in any efforts for the purpose of providing assistance and hope to these people
We mourn with the Armenians in the losses they have suffered and offer our prayers for them. The Service and Missions Committee thanks you in advance for the generous response you will offer to our engagement with Project AGAPE. You can anticipate a clothing collection for youth and children during the month of March.