UM Missionaries see lives changed in Asia and Africa

United Methodist Global Ministries missionaries Rev. Jonathan McCurley (Japan) and Rev. Dexter Ceballos (Mongolia) visited local congregations in February, sharing powerful stories of transformation in Asia and Africa. Rev. McCurley serves as a chaplain at the Asian Rural Institute, which trains grassroots leaders in sustainable agriculture and community development. Rev. Ceballos, as country director for the Mongolia Mission Initiative, supports leadership development, social ministries, and theological education to strengthen the growing United Methodist Church in Mongolia.

Continue Martin Luther King Jr.’s—and God’s—Agenda, Urges Rev. Danita R. Anderson

At the Northern Illinois Conference’s 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. observance, keynote speaker Rev. Danita Anderson urged United Methodists to embrace “God’s agenda” of love and justice, emphasizing the ongoing work of building the Beloved Community. She challenged attendees to resist racial injustice and ensure a place at God’s table for all, sharing personal experiences of discrimination to highlight the urgency of action. Anderson’s message served as a powerful reminder that true community requires dismantling divisions and standing in solidarity with the marginalized.

Mission Links Change the World

The Northern Illinois Conference and the Conference Global Board of Ministries celebrate the churches that went the extra mile as 100% Mission Links supporters. In 2024, NIC churches contributed over $440,000 in second-mile giving and more than $70,000 in Special Sunday offerings, supporting mission projects worldwide. Through Mission Links, churches empower communities by funding missionaries, disaster relief, education, health services, and more, demonstrating the United Methodist commitment to transformative ministry.

Planting Seeds of Change: Empowering Communities Through Gardens and Sustainability

The Northern Illinois Conference’s HEAL Well initiative addresses food insecurity and environmental sustainability by uniting faith communities and local partners in urban gardening and tree planting. With a mission to foster trust and care for God’s creation, HEAL Well engages volunteers, including high school students, to maintain community gardens and expand green spaces in northern Illinois. The initiative collaborates with various organizations to build relationships, educate communities, and create lasting environmental and social impact.

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Stronger Together: Diversity Enriches Us, Unity Strengthens Us

Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer reflects on the Northern Illinois Conference’s commitment to diversity and unity, emphasizing that differences are gifts that enrich and strengthen the church. In a time of societal division and challenges for immigrant communities, she calls on United Methodists to be peacemakers, bridge-builders, and voices for love and justice. By embracing diversity and striving for unity, the church can create a more inclusive and compassionate community that reflects God’s image.

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Attend NIC Lobby Day in Springfield

All Northern Illinois United Methodists are welcome to attend the Legislative Lobby Day trip to Springfield on May 7. The Advocacy Partners of the Northern Illinois Conference Commission on Religion and Race is planning the event.

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