KiDSCOR walks with Jesus! Bring your JOY for Easter to KiDSCOR this Lenten season! Thank you for considering helping us welcome one of the biggest groups of kiddos that we see all year.

Bring your family members and older children to serve together as we celebrate Christ's Resurrection. (Volunteers must be at least 14.)

We need nursery volunteers to provide childcare for children 4 years-old and under during the following services:

Saturday, April 20

• 11 am
• 5 pm
• 7 pm

Sunday, April 21

• 7 am
• 9 am
• 11 am
• 5 pm

Greeters help create a great first impression for our guests by offering a warm welcome and opening doors for guests. Greeters generally serve once a month 30 minutes prior to service and 15 minutes after the start of service.

Help welcome our guests and provide radical hospitality this Easter. Multiple serving roles available, this is a great way to serve together as a family. Read about each role and sign up at the registration link.

Become ERT (Early Response Team) Trained so that you can be the first group in once the emergency workers have deemed the area safe after a disaster.

ERT volunteers:

• Provide a Christian presence, be a part of the caring ministry of “listeners”
• Take steps to prevent further damage to a family’s personal property: tarps, flood clean-out, debris removal
• Help manage donated materials, gather information, or do other things needed in the community
• Observe survivor’s needs and report those to the local disaster operations

Registration fee covers course materials, snacks, lunch and instructor travel costs. Everyone attending must bring a laptop or smartphone to the training. 

Register for upcoming Training at Resurrection Leawood:

• April 13, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Learn more about Church of the Resurrection's Disaster Response Ministry

June 12-21, 2019

Serve with hundreds of volunteers as we refresh and revitalize The African-Centered Prep Academy. Click here to register.

Shifts will be 9 am - noon, 1-4 pm and 5:30-8:30 pm daily (no evening shifts on Friday or Saturday). Ages 12 and up are welcome (see youth policy below).

Volunteers are needed to serve in a variety of skilled and less skilled roles from painting, cleaning, organizing and hospitality to more heavy physical roles including playground installation and spreading mulch. Playground work team volunteers must be able to lift 50 pounds and be age 16 or older.

Hospitality Volunteer Opportunities - COMING SOON!

If you can't commit to physically joining our team we have some behind the scenes ways you can help.

Youth Volunteer Policy

To ensure proper supervision and safety for all participants, the following policy applies to all youth volunteers who sign up with the Volunteer Coordinator or via online registration.

Age 16 and Older

Youth 16 and older may participate unaccompanied in the Bless the School Project if they have a combined Resurrection/KCMO School District Youth Release Form, and both are signed by the parent/guardian of the youth. Releases may not be signed by any other person.

Ages 12-15

• All youth between the ages of 12 and 15 must be accompanied by an adult, with combined release form specified above, completed and signed by their parent or guardian. If adult other than parent is bringing a youth volunteer, please have parent of youth complete release in advance.
• A ratio of 1 adult to every 3 youth volunteers must be maintained.
• Adult sponsors must provide direct oversight for the activities of their charges at all times.
• Youth must be transported to and from the site by their adult sponsors. They cannot be dropped off or wait for pick up at the site.
• Youth will not be allowed in areas with scaffolding and will not be allowed on ladders.

Under Age 12 – Not Allowed

For safety reasons, no one under the age of 12 may participate in this project or be on the project site.

THE 2019 HONDURAS MISSION TRIP IS July 21-28.

This trip is open to students entering 11th – 12th grade in the fall of 2019 and 2019 high school graduates.

The trip will concentrate on reaching out to people in some of the most impoverished areas around the Danli area in Honduras.  Ministry will include construction & working with children. Consider serving God in amazing ways this summer as you experience the warm and friendly culture in Honduras!

Our Truck Ministry supports multiple local impact ministries. Without our team of dedicated drivers our ministries would not be able to operate at the level we do. Our drivers support hunger, clothing, computers, furnishings,  partner schools and much more.

BECOME A HOLY HAULER FOR FURNISHINGS MINISTRY

Holy Haulers are the team of guys and gals who pick up donations from individuals and corporations. Vehicles range from minivans to large box trucks. Drive at your own comfort level. Join a weekday, weeknight or Saturday morning team, serving weekly, bi-weekly or on a monthly rotation. Inquiries please contact Larry Tolin at tolindlt@gmail.com. 

BECOME A BACKPACK DRIVER FOR EDUCATION MINISTRY

• Pick-up Empty Tubs: Tuesdays 7 am - 1 pm from Elementary Schools. Requires moderate lifting and possibly driving the church's box truck. Contact Bruce Gaddis at deliveryteam@cor.org
• Deliver Food: Fridays 8 am - 12 pm to Elementary Schools. Requires lifting and possibly driving the church's box truck. Contact Bruce Gaddis at deliveryteam@cor.org

DELIVER TO FOOD PANTRIES FOR HUNGER MINISTRY

Our TRUCK drivers must comply with DOT regulations and the following requirements must be met:

• Successful completion of a background check (if you are Safe Gatherings certified, this will substitute for a background check): click here to download the form.
• Successful completion of the Motor Vehicle Record: click here to download the form
• Current automobile liability insurance and valid drivers license.
• Successful completion of medical certification if driving trucks: click here for more information about requirements.
• Must be able to move and lift heavy items.

If you are interested in becoming driver for one of our ministries please contact michelle.vanpelt@cor.org

Studies have shown that the first 11 minutes a new guest is on our campus determines if they want to return. Help make sure all Resurrection guests have a great first impression by serving in one of these vital roles:

• Traffic Volunteers help set the first impression guests have of Resurrection as they help cars fine parking spots.
• Shuttle Drivers make the trip from the parking lot to the building easier and more fun for our guests.
• Door Greeters open the doors to our building to offer our guests a warm welcome and friendly smile.

Explore the many opportunities available for partnering with Hondurans to transform their communities.  Each trip has a purpose, some of which are listed below:

• Bless the School — Light construction and painting to keep the school in good condition.
• Bless the Youth —  Engage with youth in sports activities and develop meaningful friendships.
• Bless the Teachers — Be a part of equipping teachers with resources and lessons to teach English and the Word of God. Teaching English creates bonds between people of different cultures and is life-changing for both.
• Medical and Dental – Provide needed care for the community.
• Cultural immersion – In addition to engaging with teachers and students, each trip includes time to explore.

2019 Trips:

• Bless the Church & Serve the Community: June 2-9, 2019 - Rez Downtown; TRIP IS FULL
• Bless the School: June 2-9, 2019; TRIP IS FULL
• Bless the School: June 8-15, 2019; TRIP IS FULL
• rezlife High School Serve Trip: July 21-28
• Bless the School : July 20-27, 2019

About Honduras

Honduras, located in Central America between Guatemala and Nicaragua, is a country of mountains, forests and farms. There are more than 7 million people living in this country, which is about the size of Louisiana. Most Hondurans speak Spanish, although the Amerindian/mestizo population may speak other Spanish dialects. English is widely spoken in the north. Resurrection teams usually fly into the capital city of Tegucigalpa, and some take a day to visit the Maya ruins at Copán, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Honduras is one of the poorest regions in Central America; its economy is primarily agricultural and the annual per capital income is about $2,500 USD.

Resurrection partners with the Methodist Church in Honduras, working mostly with the Methodist Church in El Obraje and the Cristo Resucitado Methodist Church in Ciudad España.

Honduran Coffee

Through our partnership with the Methodist Church of Honduras, we sell Honduran coffee at The Spring, our coffee shop at Resurrection Leawood. Purchasing this coffee helps transform Honduran communities by:

• Helping Hondurans gain economic stability
• Supporting the first Methodist School in Honduras
• Raising awareness for our partnership activities in Honduras

The coffee, which is Rainforest Alliance Certified, is produced with sustainable agricultural practices to help conserve natural resources, ecosystems and wildlife, preserve worker's rights and benefits, and create a positive impact on the local community.

Coffee grown in the shade of the forest canopy protects the plants from rain and sun, helps maintain the soil quality and reduces need for insect control because a greater number of natural wildlife live in the habitat.

Due to increasing demand for coffee, many traditional farms have converted to sun growth plantations where the tropical forest is cut down, producing a higher yield for the short-term, but also greater soil erosion and pesticide use.

School Sponsorship

For just $37.50/month ($450/year) you can provide a child with a private faith-based school education at the Juan Wesley School in Ciudad España. This amount will provide tuition, books and materials and a school uniform for your sponsored child. Your child will be able to write to you each year to tell you about their progress, and they will be monitored to assure that they achieve the school's academic goals.

Child sponsors who join a short-term serve team to Honduras have opportunities to meet the child they sponsor, interact with other Juan Wesley students and support the school. Learn more or sponsor a child by downloading and filling out this form.

To learn about other ways Resurrection is partnering with Hondurans, visit our blog.

2019 Trips:

• April 27 -  May 4; TRIP IS FULL
• June 22-29; TRIP IS FULL
• August 17-24
• November 2-9

To learn more about what previous trips have participated in, visit our blog.

Individuals with constructions skills are encouraged to apply. Please note: Participants must be 16 years or older and Safe Gatherings certified to participate.

All funds received are considered a charitable contribution.  As such, once they are received by The Church of the Resurrection, there are NO REFUNDS.  If, for some reason, the trip is cancelled or you can no longer go, Resurrection will credit the funds toward a future serve trip (for you or for an immediate family member) within 12 months of the original trip; OR use the funds for ministry work with our Methodist partners in Puerto Rico.

If you have questions about the deductibility of trip-related expenses, please contact your tax professional.

About Our Puerto Rico Disaster Response

Puerto Rico is often referred to as the “Island of Enchantment,” a direct result of the warm people, excellent cuisine, and picturesque scenery, including the most beautiful beaches.  Paradise is what the local people call it, as they get to see and live into GOD’s creation and beauty every single day.

On September 20th, 2017, Hurricane Maria (a category 4 hurricane) pummeled the island of Puerto Rico.  The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection mobilized quickly to help with immediate needs.  After contacting the Bishop’s office of the Methodist Church in Puerto Rico to determine the best way forward, Church of the Resurrection sent $10,000 for emergency supplies, and partnered with Heart to Heart International in sending an additional $20,000 worth of food and supplies.

The Methodist Church of Puerto Rico also immediately responded to the call to action, developing a culture of lay and clergy Early Response teams, implementing a Brigade of Hope (food, solar lights and water hand delivered to homes) and partnering with other local denominations, non-government organizations (NGOs) and FEMA to help those in need.

In January, a small leadership team from Church of the Resurrection went to Puerto Rico to walk alongside the Bishop Hector Ortiz Vidal and his team and see first-hand the devastation left in the wake of this natural disaster.  The team learned staggering statistics about the situation on the island, including:

• 250,000 homes damaged 
• 100,000 completely destroyed
• 40 Methodist Churches damaged
• 10 Methodist Churches destroyed
• Several hundred thousand left the island for the mainland

Bishop Hector Ortiz Vidal recommended that Church of the Resurrection partner with a local church in Puerto Rico. We are happy to share that Samuel Culpeper Iglesia Metodista in Hatillo has been selected for this partnership.

There are 235 public schools across the island that are slated to permanently close the fall of 2018, including Joaquin Rodriguez, Samuel Culpeper's church partner school.  The Methodist Church in Puerto Rico will be enhancing social programs to assist those families with children who are no longer able to attend school. The remaining funds collected from the Special Offering for Puerto Rico held last fall have been allocated to the reconstruction of the church roof, a priority from the bishop’s office, enabling them to provide help to all those in need.

Resurrection teams have already been deployed and have worked alongside our Puerto Rican brothers and sisters repairing the church roof, repairing local homes, and assisting with painting and clean up.  Returned team members have shared that the experience has made a dramatic impact on their lives, and the hospitality is unmatched and inspiring.

Consider joining a team today, your life will never be the same.  It is said that one’s treasures are most valuable when they are those of the Kingdom of GOD.  Where does your treasure lay?

Frequently Asked Questions about Puerto Rico Serve Trips:

Who can go?
Just about anyone! Individuals, couples, families, retired persons, members of Church of the Resurrection and non-members alike. The minimum age is 16, and all trip participants must complete the Safe Gatherings online course.  Team members under the age of 21 must have their parents/guardian complete a notarized Parental Consent Form.

What skills do I need?
The most important skills are a desire to serve God while working side-by-side with Puerto Ricans; to be a team player; and to be flexible for whatever comes our way. You don’t have to know Spanish (you will certainly learn a few new words and key phrases) or construction: you just need a big heart and willingness to serve.

What projects will we work on?
We strive to work on projects that are deemed of most importance to our local partners, but most likely we will be working on light construction alongside our partners from the Samuel Culpeper Methodist Church.

What does the cost cover?
The cost per person includes housing, meals, in-country transportation, insurance, gasoline, construction costs, local labor, cultural day activity and food, donation to the local trip administration.  Airfare will be booked after the trip has closed and will be added to your total trip cost.

What’s not included?
Personal expenses, souvenirs, extended travel past the official trip conclusion.

Are there any discounts?

Yes! There are two ways to receive a $100 discount (they cannot be combined!): apply before the Early Application deadline; OR be a repeat Global Impact Ministries Resurrection serve trip participant.

How do I get to San Juan, Puerto Rico?
Global Impact Ministries will reserve airline tickets so that the team travels together.  Your airfare is tax-deductible and will be added to your total trip cost in our online team portal, Managed Missions.

Where do we stay?

Team members stay at the Arecibo Methodist Campsite.  Approximately 1.15 hours west of San Juan, where the team will be spending the week.  The campsite has 4 bunk rooms with 9 bunkbeds each (separated by gender), private indoor bathroom facility, a large indoor dining pavilion, Chapel, Garden of Gethsemene, and much more.

Will we get to see the beach?
If all goes as planned, yes! Both Hatillo and Aresibo are located on the Northwest side of the island minutes from the Atlantic Ocean. On our last day (Saturday), and on our return to the San Juan area, we will travel to El Morro and Old San Juan, a beautiful destination rich in history, beautiful landscape, restaurants and much more. Afterwards we will head to the airport to head home.

Is Puerto Rico safe?
Puerto Rico is safe, as with any tourist destination, there are cases of petty crime and driving can be a challenge.  Generally, outside the capital of San Juan, the country resembles a clean, tropical, laid-back place.

I have some questions that aren’t listed here.
Please feel free to send an email to Don Dunning at dunningdm@outlook.com.  Don is our context leader that oversees our partnership with Puerto Rico.

Resurrection has been partnering with the Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA) since 1998 with a strong focus on children and families – specifically through education and training.  Educational efforts include support for the Ditshego House of Laughter in the community of Mooiplaas.  Serve trip team members work with the students, teachers and other staff to deliver requested lesson plans and participate in light renovation projects at the school. Resurrection also works with West View and Elim Methodist Churches in Centurion, South Africa where worship and the ministry of presence come together. To learn more specific trip information, click on one of the links below for one of our upcoming trips.  For more about the experience of serving on a team, visit our blog.

2019 Trips:

• Children, Education, and Renovation Projects: June 21-July 1, 2019
• Children, Education, and Renovation Projects: September 20-30, 2019

About Ditshego House of Laughter

 Ditshego House of Laughter is a non-profit organization providing multiple services for approximately 350 vulnerable children in the informal settlement of Mooiplaas. More than 16,000 people make their home in Mooiplaas at the base of a landfill in the area between Johannesburg and Pretoria (now Tshwane). Among Ditshego’s services are a pre-school, an Open School for older children, a House of Safety for foster children, and after-school services. Without Ditshego these children would not have a chance for an education because many are undocumented or immigrants.

About South Africa

South Africa is the southernmost country on the African continent.  It covers an area of approximately 472,000 square miles or slightly less than twice the size of Texas.  Although it is a developed and modern country with roughly 57 million people and 11 official languages, South Africa struggles with high unemployment, HIV/AIDS, slow economic growth, crime, and corruption. Even in the post-1994 era following the end of apartheid (racial separation), social and economic inequality remains a significant challenge and South Africa is one of the most economically unequal countries in the world. Despite this, South Africa is making progress toward broader prosperity and a peaceful democracy.

Clothing and More Ministries support 22 local pantries and ministry partners in the Kansas City area! Want to be a part of this great ministry? There are several ways for you to plug in. We have opportunities for you to serve on an ongoing basis as well as one time pop in as your time allows.

Donation Sorter:

Join the team and help sort the large quantity of donations dropped off at the church every week. Fun, fellowship and sorting occurs on weekday mornings in our specially-designed space located in the NEW Missions Sorting Area in the lower level of building A.

The sorting team meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning, 9 – 11 am

Other ways to volunteer:

Please click here for information about how to help as a Clothing and More Team Driver.

If you're looking for serving opportunities to arrange on your own, click here for an informal list of organizations we enjoy working with here in Kansas City.  Please feel free to reach out to any of the organizations that interest you or your group!

DONATE:  For information about how to donate please click here.

The Hunger Stopper Ministry delivers approximately 70 tons of food each year, through donations from within the church and special food drives held in the community. Donations are delivered monthly to local pantries and urban ministries to help feed those in Kansas City area who are hungry or food insecure.

SOUPER BOWL RESULTS:

“Thanks to the generosity of our congregation the Souper Bowl drive saw an increase of 15.75% in non-perishable donations along with an 83% increase in monetary donations over last year!  WOW!  We are so excited about our ability to creatively address food insecurity in the KC area by leveraging our partnerships with Harvesters, Associated Grocers as well as community/neighborhood initiatives near our campuses and partner schools.  Rather than just dropping a pallet of what we have, we are able to provide true NEEDS in the community because of your support. We are thrilled to move strongly into 2019 ready to make an impact!”   

• Monetary Donations: Donations in any amount will be used to purchase needed food in bulk. Please mark the donation for "Hunger Stoppers" and drop in collection plate during worship or mail to the church.
• Donate Non-Perishables: Please no glass containers or expired product. Desirable donations include:
  • Cereal
  • Canned meats (chicken, tuna, Vienna sausages)
  • Chunky stews/soups
  • Peanut butter & Jelly
  • Canned/boxed meals/Macaroni & Cheese
  • Shelf stable milk products
  • Pancake mix (add water only) & Syrup
  • Canned fruits and vegetables.

Non-perishable donations can be brought to the Leawood campus - in between the Southwest doors of Building A or the North doors of Building B place on the wire shelves marked "Hunger Stoppers."

Stay informed about upcoming events and information by signing up to receive the Hunger Stopper Newsletter. Sign up to receive Hunger Stopper Newsletter today!

We'd love to have you join our team of volunteers to help this ministry happen!  Please see our Hunger Volunteer Ministry page for more information.