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Ministry With the Poor

"One great reason why the rich in general have so little sympathy for the poor is because they so seldom visit them. Hence it is that...one part of the world does not know what the other suffers." - John Wesley


Group with seven people work through hay on a farm.

Since 2008, The United Methodist Church has encouraged ministry efforts at all levels of the church to focus engagement around four areas: global health, leadership development, new worshipping communities and ministry with the poor.

Ministering among people and communities who are struggling in poverty is core to our identity as Christians. Jesus-anointed to ‘proclaim good news to the poor’- made clear that when we encounter the poor, the hungry, the prisoner and the stranger, we encounter Christ himself.

The focus area on Ministry With the Poor has encouraged United Methodists to rethink how we do ministry: shifting away from ministries “to” people and communities, which often seem transactional, and toward ministries “with” people and communities that are built around relationships. These relationships are what inspire and inform our ministries and give rise to a shared vision, shared commitment and shared leadership.

By walking, worshiping and witnessing with neighbors who experience poverty, United Methodists are making visible to the world God’s promise of abundant life. Together we are meeting immediate needs, repairing broken systems and demonstrating the radical love of the gospel and its power to liberate and heal.

Share Your Ministry With Us

Are you a part of a ministry that exemplifies this understanding of “with”? If so, please share your story here.

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