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

 

DAHLIA GROVE

FUMCB supports the work of the nonprofit organization, Dahlia Grove.  This organization  empowers and employs women survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual exploitation. They provide a two-year rent-free restorative care home and resources for healing and recovery. We have used their catering services to provide our annual Christmas dinner and partner with them every Thursday in opening a Community Cafe' to anyone seeking a great lunch experience.  To read more about the Cafe, click here.

 

GLOBAL MISSIONS

In being faithful to fulfill our mission to be more like Jesus Christ to our community and beyond, FUMCB is a  covenant partner with two missionaries. As a Covenant partner our main commitment is to pray for them.  Providing financial support to the mission is an obvious piece but the relationship is most important as it helps the missionary know they are loved and supported in their call. The money we raise annually during our Father’s Day promotion is sent to these two missionaries to support their work.  To read more about  Eric Kalumba and Michelle Kunce and their ministries, click HERE.

 

SOUP FOR THE SOUL

The vision of this ministry is to provide comfort and care for others who are experiencing illness, loss or hunger.   A team of cooks will prepare in our kitchen several gallons of soup which will be stored in the church freezer.  Whenever a person needs a warm bowl of soup to care for themselves or a person in our community they are welcome to pick up a quart of soup. We kindly ask for you to note your pick up on a clipboard that can be found on the side of the freezer.  This way we can track the number of quarts of soup in our supply and replenish as necessary. If you would like more information you may contact the coordinator for this ministry Debbie Thames by clicking HERE.

 

ROOM IN THE INN

The basic goal of The Room in the Inn program (RITI)  is to provide shelter and food for the homeless to keep them from freezing on cold winter nights. We partner with Christ UMC to expand that goal to include offering such a welcoming and loving experience to the homeless person they come into the program and lose their “label” of being called homeless and transform into a "neighbor".  Our church bus it used to go to the intake center in Charlotte where we pick up registered families with children, single women or men who do not have a place to sleep.  We deliver the neighbors to Christ UMC and assist in preparing and serving a hot meal, an opportunity for social time, and the assurance they have a safe warm place to get some much-needed rest. There is a variety of way to volunteer in aiding our neighbors from preparing the beds, cooking, serving and driving the bus.  If you are ready to learn more or sign up click HERE or if have questions and want to reach out to our coordinator Mary Rutledge click HERE.  If you would like to help the ministry by purchasing items from our Amazon Wish List, click HERE.

 

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.

 

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 13th.

 

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 September of 2024 we completed support for our sixth community Umunezero "Happiness" Bweramana  in Rwanda. 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. To read more about this amazing ministry click HERE.  If you are ready to sign up and help click HERE.

 

BELMONT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION (BCO)

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.

 

RICE AND BEANS

Rice N Beans is a non profit organization that provides a meal for our unsheltered neighbors every Tuesday evening, rain or shine, from 6:00-7:00 pm. Volunteers arrive at 5:45 in the parking lot at the Salvation Army at 107 S. Broad Street to serve those seeking food. Rice and Beans also offers gently used clothing and shoes for those present. If you would like to donate clothing, learn more or assist in serving,  click HERE.  

YOUTH MISSIONS

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