Missions

Our church is committed to being the hands and feet of Jesus Christ for our community and beyond. We have opportunities to serve throughout the year for all ages, gifts and abilities.  As we serve, our goal is to build relationships with those we encounter, modeling Jesus' love and grace in every way  

THE GASTON GATEWAY

The Gateway connects people with resources to make positive life changes. Your referral could change someone’s life by extending a true hand-up that places them on a journey to counseling, life-coaching, and fully integrated support services.  Any person referred is treated with dignity and respect. They are often immediately contacted (Over 90% are contacted within the hour.) This is what is encountered once a vulnerable person connects with The Gateway. *The client’s needs are determined and vetted to determine if the needs are CRISIS or CHRONIC. *The client is connected with the appropriate CRISIS Relief agency. Clients are educated regarding required paperwork, hours of operation, and protocols. *Offered no-cost clinical counseling if the need is more CHRONIC than crisis. *Offered structure and accountability to move beyond whatever has them entrapped economically, professionally, etc. FUMCB supports The Gateway with an annual mini-grant to support their work. To refer a person to The Gateway for help you can click HERE to input their contact information.  If you would prefer to text in a referral the number is 704-800-3836.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY & DIXON VILLAGE

Habitat for Humanity seeks to eliminate poverty housing and to advocate for affordable housing as a matter of conscience and action. Habitat Gaston builds simple, decent housing with help from volunteer labor, the “sweat equity” of our partner families, and community investment of money and materials. FUMCB will be partnering with the community in the upcoming project to build Dixon Village. We are scheduled for a volunteer build day on October 21st fall of 2023.  To read more about the village and our participation, click here

AGAPE

Project AGAPE is the collaborative effort of both United Methodist conferences in North Carolina, who have work in cooperation with the Armenian Apostolic Church serving Armenia and Artsakh in the Kashatagh region.  Project AGAPE has shares 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.  Click here to read more about Project Agape and our partnership.

 

WEEKEND BACKPACK FOOD PROGRAM

We are in a relationship with the Gaston County Weekend Backpack Food Program that packs and delivers over 900 backpacks full of shelf-stable food each weekend for children. We currently pack for Catawba Heights and Warlick Elementary Schools. Teams help pick-up, sort, pack and deliver the bags each week. On Mother's Day we make a special contribution to the program in honor of our mother's or special women in our lives with all donations going to this important ministry.

CATHERINE'S HOUSE

Catherine’s House serves women and children facing homelessness due to a variety of circumstances such as: domestic violence, un/underemployment, the shortage of affordable housing, unexpected tragedies, and the lack of a support network. When women enter the 4 month program, a Program Plan is developed based on her personal situation, her strengths and her current needs. Then, using the program components of  employment, personal wellness, financial literacy and housing, each resident is empowered with skills, information and the confidence she needs to regain – then sustain – a healthy and productive life. In this way, Catherine’s House is not just a place to stay…but a place to grow. FUMCB provides support to Catherine’s House throughout the year and congregational members provide meals for the residents twice a month.  If you would like to read more about this service opportunity click HERE.    

UMCOR

UMCOR is the United Methodist Committee on Relief  which directs  our churches in opportunities to serve in areas where they have experienced global disasters and hardships.  FUMCB assists UMCOR with financial support and by assembling relief kits such as cleaning buckets, hygiene kits and school kits.  Our church will be assembling cleaning buckets at a special service night on November 15th.  

GLEANING

FUMCB  participates with the Society of St. Andrew, a national organization that focuses on feeding the hungry. SOSA  gleans products perfect to eat but not necessarily aesthetically pleasing enough for a grocery store. We have opportunities for volunteers to pick, bag or deliver gleaned produce to local charities.  SOSA provides us an opportunity to show care and compassion by feeding the hungry.  Our youth will be working with them in July of 2024 as they attend their Harvest for Hope Mission camp.  

ZOE

Our church is serving as a Hope Companion for  communities of vulnerable children and orphans in Rwanda.  Each community is a three year commitment in which the children will journey to overcome extreme poverty and learn how to improve their lives and the lives of their community.  In August of 2023 we have committed to support our sixth community. You can learn more about our Zoe partnership by clicking here.    

FEEDING THE CHILDREN

We prepare lunches and pack "eat and serve" meals for public school children whose parents request them.  The food is delivered  to  homes during each Christmas and Easter break. Teams prepare the meals, and a bag of pre-pack non perishable foods to provide meals throughout the breaks. . Over thirty volunteers are needed on delivery days to help us be successful in our endeavor.      

BELMONT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION (BCO)

The BCO, is a local crisis assistance ministry in Belmont. Our church offers regular financial support each year.  FUMCB will provide you with a reusable food bag to help remind you to drop off food  to our bins at the church the first Sunday of every month. Church volunteers deliver the food to the BCO to be distributed to those in need.      

SHOWING OUR CARING AND KINDNESS IN SPRINGWOOD (S.O.C.K.S)

SOCKS, is a local crisis assistance ministry in one of the most poor areas within our reach in  the community of Springwood. Our church supports SOCKS each year through financial gifts.  In December we collect hats, gloves, mittens and socks for children, youth and adults to be distributed through this ministry. Throughout the year you can donate food and clothing to assist their ministry.  

YOUTH MISSIONS

Our youth regularly serve through summer mission teams and other opportunities. Check out the Youth Events page to learn more.