Change the World, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Cherokee
How can we break down the walls that separate the church from the world around us? That is the theme of a leadership training event in the Northwest District this February.
Kevin Evers, the Field Outreach Minister for the North Central District, brings a message of challenge and inspiration from his 25 years of experience in promotion, advertising, and marketing. The church must find ways to overcome our aversion to the “E-word” (Evangelism) and discover ways to reach out to others with our personal stories and acts of care.
Other topics explored by participants include camping ministries, use of social media (like Facebook and Twitter), safe sanctuaries, youth ministries, claiming our vision as local churches, disaster preparedness, and other opportunities for mission.
Similar events occur across the Annual Conference made possible by apportionment gifts. Leaders of all ages, experiences, and ministries come for a day of encouragement to receive and develop new ministry skills. 
Our focus is to challenge one another to develop new ways to “Make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World,” our shared purpose as United Methodist congregations around the world.