About
The United Methodist Union of Greater Detroit is about mission. Our purpose is to empower our congregations and mission agencies to serve their communities. As a mission agency, we provide funding to mission centers that minister to the least, the last, and the lost of our society.
We serve United Methodist Church congregations of the East and West Detroit districts of the Detroit Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, approximately the geographic area south of M-59 and east of I-275, and from the east side from New Baltimore to the city of Monroe.
The United Methodist Union is led by Executive Director Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Christler, assisted by talented staff, Board of Directors, committee chairpersons and committed volunteers.
Background
Organized in 1919 to serve immigrants, the United Methodist Union has adapted to the changing needs of the metropolitan Detroit area in its over 80 year history.
From building churches for ethnic groups and operating missions centers in the 1920’s, to its current focus on capacity building, grant writing, and growth through consolidation, the United Methodist Union continues to assist programs and develop strategies to engage our culture with the good news of Jesus Christ.
Achievements
As the many accomplishments of the 2007 annual report (PDF: 41K) illustrate, the United Methodist Union’s focus on empowering congregations has led to major successes. For a quick summary of our achievements, in 2007 the Union has:
- Empowered 19 congregations with salary support, totaling $54,393.
- Enabled 19 congregations and UMC agencies to expand their outreach with program support, totaling $62,522.
- Assisted 8 congregations and UMC agencies with grants to make capital improvements so that we could continue to have a presence in those communities, totaling $59,840.
- Helped 5 congregations reach their goals through loans, totaling $381,005.
- Partnered with 4 congregations to help relocate families affected by Hurricane Katrina, totaling $28,211.
- Supported congregational growth for 6 churches through the Bishop Red Project, totaling $1,018.
- Reached the youth of our congregations in the Young Leaders Initiative, totaling $28,909.
- Trained 6 pastors in Mentor in Residence, totaling $31,000.
- Provided two Forum for Preachers, monies for training, seminars and workshops for numerous pastors and laity, totaling $4,475.
Through mission programs, outreach ministries, congregational support and development and facility restructuring, the United Methodist Union of Greater Detroit seeks to provide a firm foundation in a city rife with opportunity.