Thursday, June 23, 2016

{Mission Highlight} Opportunities

In 2016, Our Mission Highlights will focus internally, on what UMVIM, SEJ does to serve the short-term mission community within the United Methodist Church. Join us this year as we focus on the ways we equip teams and their leaders through Resources, Trainings, Mission Opportunities, Healthy & Safety education, and Relationship-building. 
In our previous Mission Highlights, we told you how we serve short-term mission volunteers through Resources and Training. The next step is to find the Mission Opportunity that fits your group's interest and abilities. We work with projects across the United Methodist connection so teams can serve where and how they are being called. These opportunities range from healthcare and education, disaster response and recovery, construction and home repair, and everything in between. Read on to find out more.
Mission Opportunities Lists
UMVIM, SEJ maintains the International Mission Opportunity List, and all projects on the Internationaland Domestic Lists are developed with the leadership in the regions or country in which they are located. UMVIM helps connect volunteers with project leaders to assist with the resources and skills to see projects to completion. If you're not sure whichMission Opportunity is right for your short-term mission journey, we are here to help. (Check out our Mission Highlight on Resources to learn more about how our staff is available to assist you in every aspect of short-term service!)
Medical Missions
Medical-based mission trips make up a large percentage of the UMVIM effort. Doctors, nurses, dentists, and others from the medical field take their expertise to underserved areas across the globe to provide quality medical care. If you are a healthcare provider and would like more information on how you can volunteer your time and services, check out the Medical Missions page on our GO! tab for more information. Our Medical Missions blog, run by UMVIM board member Jane Dunn, is a wonderful source of information.
Disaster Response
UMVIM, SEJ works with UMCOR and Conference Disaster Response Coordinators to communicate the need for volunteer teams to disaster-affected areas. A generous UMCOR grant has allowed us to bring a Disaster Response Liaison onto our staff to further our ability to connect volunteers to the appropriate response. Click here to head over to the UMVIM, SEJ Disaster Response page, where you will find opportunities all around the Jurisdiction, and contact information for your conference's Disaster Response Coordinator
Youth and Young Adults
Today's young people are tomorrow's leaders, and we are intentional about providing opportunities to the Next Generation of the United Methodist Church. In 2013 we launched a Summer Internship Program where the brightest of the SEJ youth are able to serve in local and international placements. It can be challenging for youth leaders to find appropriate opportunities that develop both disciples and leaders, so we have developed a Mission Opportunity List that is geared to youth-appropriate mission opportunities. Click here to check it out
You don't have to look far to see the wide variety of ways UMVIM, SEJ provides opportunities for you to serve. Continue to stay in touch with us this year to learn how UMVIM, SEJ is here to connect you into mission opportunities across globe and equip you for service. Click here if you are not already receiving our Weekly Updates, Mission Highlights, and more.

Friday, June 3, 2016

UMVIM, SEJ Welcomes Rives Worsham as 2016 Summer Intern

Executive Director Paulette West and 2016 Intern Rives Worsham
The staff and board of UMVIM, SEJ are excited to announce Rives Worsham as the 2016 summer intern. Rives comes to us from the Virginia Conference, where he has been a lifelong member Trinity UMC in Richmond, and is currently attending the Virginia Military Institute.


During his time in Trinity’s youth ministry, he grew in his love of God and missions under the influence of his youth pastor Forrest White, who also serves as the Virginia UMVIM Coordinator. Rives was able to learn about the value and importance of short-term missions, and had the opportunity to serve in Costa Rica, the Bahamas, Memphis, Detroit, Los Angeles, Chicago, as well as his local community in Richmond.


When asked him why he felt called to apply for our internship, Rives answered, “I am passionate about serving others and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to do so. I am most excited just about the job variety that comes with this position. I don't think there are many jobs that have you doing so many different things, from working in rural communities in Tennessee to the tropics in Costa Rica.”


Rives is studying Economics and Business at Virginia Military Institute, where he also plays Division I soccer. His ability to work within in a team setting has been sharpened at VMI, both on and off the field, a quality that is essential to engaging in effective mission service. He is also a natural born leader, and we know he will only continue to learn more about what it means to serve God and others through missions.


“One of the things that I love about mission work is that I always learn from the people who I am serving, about God, and about life,” said Rives. “It is something that I have always been passionate about. I am looking forward to the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others while they undoubtedly make a difference in mine.”


Rives will begin his summer in the UMVIM, SEJ office in Birmingham, Alabama. His domestic placement will be with the Reelfoot Rural Ministries, and his international placement will have him traveling to San Isidro, Costa Rica to serve with Costa Rica Mission Projects. Each year, our interns also work with our Design Team at Young People in Mission, UMVIM’s hallmark event that is held at Lake Junaluska.


The UMVIM, SEJ Summer Internship Program was established in 2013 as way to further equip a member of the Next Generation of the UMC to grow in their missional capabilities. Our former interns have gone on to serve as UMC clergy and other roles within the denomination. To learn more about this program, please visit our website.