There are men in ministry all across the SC Conference.  I imagine you could list some of the ministries in which men are involved at your local church.  Many of us are doing similar things.  Many of us are joining with other United Methodist Churches to get a bigger result from our efforts.  We are all doing our work in the name of Jesus Christ.  We are connected through Him.

I want to report to you that more and more South Carolina United Methodist Churches and their Men’s Ministries (100 more than last year) are connecting to the massive amount of ministry happening through the General Commission on United Methodist Men.  Local churches and their Men’s Ministries are contributing that all important $65 to the General Commission to help support mentoring programs in partnership with Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs, and 4H Clubs.  Men all across the world are affecting the lives of children and youth because of your men’s contribution. 

Your $65 also supports the work going on with the Strength for Service devotional books being sent to men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Our military service personnel put themselves in harm’s way every day and we can do no less that provide them with words of strength, courage, and comfort and a means of expression of God’s love for each of them.

These service men and women and millions of other folks across the US and around the world have access to the Upper Room Prayer Line at 800-256-2468.  Over 1,200 calls a day, 36,000 a month come in to the Prayer Line and many times is answered by a United Methodist Man.  Your contribution helps this ministry as well.

I know you are thinking that surely my church’s $65 is used up by now.  Well, no, it also supports the Gleaning Projects and Potato Drops that UMM is known for.  In partnership with the Society of St. Andrew, we will drop off 45,000 pounds of potatoes in your church parking lot that you can distribute to the needy in your community.  The potatoes are free.  You only pay the freight!!

When United Methodist Churches connect their Men’s Ministries, the men become a part of the world’s largest Christian men’s organization – United Methodist Men. 

Now that’s really getting the work of Christ done.