Travel ban to affect United Methodist mission and ministry
A June 5 opinion piece in United Methodist Insight titled “New U.S. Travel Ban Will Harm the United Methodist Church” raises concerns about the potential impact of the travel ban on the worldwide church.
Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry work with mission partners and educational leaders in more than 60 countries and have missionaries and regional staff serving in several countries on the list.
“This travel ban is discriminatory and will certainly increase suffering and limit opportunity for the church’s work, not unlike recent funding cuts,” said Roland Fernandes, who serves as general secretary for both agencies. “We call on the current U.S. administration to reconsider this policy decision so our work in mission and ministry can continue unimpeded.”
Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry reaffirm our commitment to serving alongside communities worldwide and we stand against policies that obstruct the global mission of The United Methodist Church.
Related Posts
During its June meeting, the University Senate of The United Methodist Church updated the list of approved non-United Methodist theological schools, based on University Senate requirements for preparing candidates for ordination in The United Methodist Church.
In May, nine United Methodist chaplains and campus ministers stepped onto Spain’s El Camino de Santiago, not simply to walk, but to listen for God more deeply. The journey created sacred space for discernment, renewal and connection among leaders who spend their days guiding others. The eight-day pilgrimage, supported by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM), was part of the Office of Collegiate Ministries Spiritual Development program, which provided $2,000 stipends for the nine participants.
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry’s revised Course of Study (COS) curriculum will reshape how local pastors in The United Methodist Church are formed for ministry through a streamlined, 16-course structure that is more integrated, flexible, and responsive to today’s church.
