Global Ministries

The National Council of Churches joins the world in grief and outrage at ISIS’s executions of Japanese hostages Haruna Yukawa and Kenji Goto, and Jordanian hostage Moath al-Kasasbeh. The utter bankruptcy of this extremist ideology, which looks to horrific violence to prop up its credibility, cannot be allowed to stand any longer. We join with people of faith and goodwill all across the world in condemning these horrific, inhumane acts, and call upon the nations to join together to eliminate this threat.

"When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul." (Hymn written by: Horatio Gates Spafford) While doing a rough search of the word "peace", I saw over 340 entries in the NRSV version of the Bible. I am sure that number is not all encompassing. Noticeably, not all of the ways that the word was used were calming and soothing to my soul. Or, more importantly, to the protagonist of the verse or passage. I began to wonder why such a common word could mean so many things when said in so many ways.

List of visiting missionaries with contact info.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Angel Rivera-Agosto as the new Executive for Latin America and the Caribbean. Angel comes to this position with a vast amount of experience, knowledge and commitment to the work within Latin America and the Caribbean related to churches, ecumenical and interfaith organizations, communities and other partners within the ecumenical movement.

In Western Oklahoma, a pastor notes that the highway that travels past the town of 12,000 where he serves is a major thoroughfare for slave transport. In Ghana, a man promises to educate and care for a group of small boys from a fishing village only to force them into back-distorting labor. In Bangkok, a young girl is tied to her bed. She has no money, no ID, and no way out. She has been deprived of food, clothing, and sleep. Her basic needs are barely met. She is forced to have sex from 10 to 20 or more men per night

As religious leaders in the United States, we are writing to you to express our hope that you will take bold executive action to improve the relationship between our nation and Cuba. We welcome the changes to U.S.-Cuba policy that your administration made in 2011. And late last year we were delighted to hear you call for an update in U.S.-Cuba policy. You stated that we must continue to be thoughtful and creative in our approach to Cuba.

In 2000 the community of nations assembled at the United Nations and committed to roll up their sleeves in an effort to meet the critical human needs facing the world. Advances in food security, gender equality, literacy, and maternal and children’s health were among the global and national benchmarks outlined in eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) targeted to be met by the year 2015

Our hearts break for the families and friends of the three people murdered at a Jewish Community Center and senior home in Overland Park on Sunday. We lift them in prayer. We mourn with our Jewish brothers and sisters for this brutal assault on their community. We hold them in prayer. We stand in solidarity with them in this tragic, frightening moment, particularly coming at the holy seasons for both Christians and Jews.

Just as the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) share in their overseas work as Global Ministries, the upcoming Common Global Ministries Board meeting will give board and staff members a chance to share in the continuous aligning of the vision of the ministry with the advocacy and relief work that is done around the world.