MISSIONARIES
Global Missionaries Taking church to the streets
As a missionary in Rome, Italy, the Rev. Eliad Dos Santos works with migrants coming from African countries, South America, Syria, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Often, they end up in the streets without access to social services. Dos Santos decided to create a space outside her church to distribute food so she could talk to migrants and form relationships. This practice led to building a social service program that served the often-over- looked needs of migrants. Today, the church in Rome is open for people to come for social services and Pastor dos Santos offers counseling sessions every week. She listens to find out what people need and how the church can be of better service.
As Christians, we are the presence of God in these people’s lives, not only helping them materially, but fighting for a more
just and safer world. – The Rev. Eliad Dos Santos
Global Missionaries Feeding the forgotten
The Rev. Jane Eesley returned to Israel-Palestine in 2023 as a Global Missionary to serve with the Methodist Liaison Office in Jerusalem. She had served in Jerusalem in the 1990s as a young adult. Within months of her arrival, violent conflict between Hamas and Israel began and has since claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people. Eesley recommended several ministries to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), for grants. Shepherd Society, the outreach arm of Bethlehem Bible College, which delivers food to individuals, received a grant to supply Palestinian Christians with one meal, delivered three times a week. Shireen Awwad, the Shepherd Society’s director of outreach, said recipients often spread each meal over two days or share it with their hungry neighbors as well.
We owe our faith to Palestinian Christians. They are the ones who kept the flame of faith burning. When my people were still painting themselves blue in Britain, Palestinian Christians were keeping our faith alive. They are our forbearers. – The Rev. Jane Eesley
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NEW MISSIONARIES STARTED SERVICE IN 2024
General Board of Global Ministries 6
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