On Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019, Disciples gathered online and in-person to celebrate our Church’s past, present, and future with a giving day for Disciples Mission Fund.
Coordinated by staff in the Office of General Minister and President, over $25,000 was given by individuals and congregations across the life of the Church on #DMFday.
In Indianapolis, dozens gathered at an open house, hosted by the Indiana region, to celebrate Disciples founder Alexander Campbell’s birthday, the occasion for the giving day. Disciples Center staff also gathered that morning for a building-wide celebration of Disciples Mission Fund, with cake and DMF-themed trivia.
Together, the gifts received on #DMFday make an incredible difference in the life of our Church.
Because of the #DMFday gifts received from people in nearly every region, regional ministries are better positioned to facilitate the search and call process for discerning ministers, offer youth and family programs, and explore innovative ways to expand our ministries. The Georgia region, for example, is partnering with the National Benevolent Association on a mental health initiative. Because of our shared gifts, this kind of creative collaboration will continue across our Church.
With the help of all those who gave on #DMFday, our general ministries continue their important work to serve from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth. Through Disciples Home Missions, youth groups can serve recovering communities with Disciples Volunteering and young Disciples are exploring Biblical stories through the Children Worship and Wonder program. Our institutions of higher education also continue raising up new leaders for the Church and the world.
While the giving day was successful, the Church’s work doesn’t end here. #DMFday was a first step in sharing the impact Disciples Mission Fund has in our lives. Together, Disciples are called to continue collaborative support, through making a recurring individual gift or prayerfully considering adding, or growing, your congregation’s commitment to DMF core support in its annual budget. If you’d like to know more about making a recurring gift, of if you’d like some help encouraging your congregation to give to DMF, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
DMF is also only one of the Church’s three mission funds. The next opportunity to share collective gifts is the Reconciliation Ministry special offering, received in many congregations on Sept. 29 and Oct. 6. This offering funds Disciples’ effort to become an anti-racist, pro-reconciling Church in every expression.
Learn more about Disciples Mission Fund, and the congregational resources available, here.