There are four district mission centers in our two districts. A district mission center is a community ministry that is formed and operated by many UM churches in the district. It can only function through the ongoing support of a network of congregations.
Our current district mission centers include Waters Edge at Buckeye Lake Rural Outreach Center, Broad St. UMC, Church for All People, New Life UMC
Started seven years ago as a Free Store started by the Columbus South District. It now has a worshiping congregation, discipleship program, micro-enterprise employing low-income persons and a housing development organization.
Supported by many churches in the Capitol Area North District, this ministry offers community meals, clothing room (free store), tutoring and mentoring at-risk children.
Broad St UMC Heart of the City is a new district mission center which provides services to all people of all cultural, social and economic backgrounds in the heart of the city of Columbus, Ohio. Teaching the inclusive love of God in practical ways, they address the physical, spiritual, emotional and social needs of the community through direct assistance and support programs, including meals four days a week and the Inn at Broad (transitional housing for women and children). Strenghtening Vulnerable Families is a program that provides counseling interventon for high-risk families as well as free legal services.Here are some of the unique ways to serve across these two districts.
Home Repair - for example, Guardian Angels, Marysville First UMC, or Circle of Caring in Circleville
Furniture Pantries- like Home Again Ministry, Renoldsburg UMC
New Generation HIspanic/Latino Afterschool Program at Crossroads UMC on the west side of Columbus
Eastside Hispanic/Latino Ministry of Columbus
And, a new Hispanic/ Latino ministry is being planned in north Columbus
Transitional or Emergency Housing- like the Inn at Broad St UMC, and the emergency shelter in Lakeview (Logan County)
Car Ministries, like at Centenary UMC in Granville
Prison Ministry like Restorative Justice Ministry in London and Kairos Ministries in Marion and Marysville
Ministries to the Elderly, like Adena Adult Day Care at New Albany UMC and Senior Ministries at Jacksontown UMC (LIcking County)
DD Ministries (formerly MRDD) like Friends of Jesus at Wright Memorial UMC in Newark and Out of the Ordinary Ministry at St. Luke UMC in Columbus.