Travel ban to affect United Methodist mission and ministry

Published On: June 6, 2025

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.

Read United Methodist Insight’s opinion piece here. 

Related Posts

  • Monday Reflections: At Year’s End
    Published On: May 1, 2026

    The end of the semester always comes with a bittersweet taste. We say farewell to students who have been part of the campus community during the early years of adulthood. These students were formed on our campuses. They will carry the values of your institution for the rest of their lives.

  • New Suicide Prevention Resource for Faith Leaders
    Published On: May 1, 2026

    The E. Stanley Jones Foundation and the General Boards of Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry have partnered to develop and release a suicide prevention video training course designed to equip faith leaders with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to prevent suicide, respond to crises, and care for individuals and families affected by suicide loss.

  • Rooted in Partnership and Hope
    Published On: April 27, 2026

    NAIROBI – From April 8-10, 2026, in Nairobi, Kenya, 112 board members, staff, and missionaries – including eight bishops from diverse regions – converged for a three-day meeting of the boards of directors for Global Ministries (GBGM), UMCOR, and Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM).