If you enjoy welcoming and helping others in an active environment, we need your warmth and enthusiasm at the Connection Point! It's not about knowing all the answers; it's about offering a caring smile, a sense of welcome and hospitality to those who walk through the church doors. We are looking for people who are friendly and want to help connect people to the life of our church by providing information on our groups and ministries. This is a great place for both individuals and couples to serve together.

Connection Point Greeters serve around worship times (before and after).  We have serving opportunities at the Connection Point in Building A for all services and in Building B in the Foundry welcoming Sunday School classes at 9am and the Foundry worship service at 11am.

Our greatest need is Saturday nights at the 5pm service. This is a great opportunity for couples to serve together. 

Would you consider serving once or twice a month at the Connection Point?

Serve at the information display in the entry, answering basic questions and giving directions. Serve 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after worship.

Welcome a first-time visitor by delivering a Resurrection mug to their home. Maps and mugs are already prepared for you, organized by zip code and available to pick-up before you leave worship service.

The Kansas City Community Blood Center has contacted us as they are anticipating a winter blood shortage.  The Main location is located just south of RezDowntown - this would be a wonderful way to make a difference in the lives of others during the holidays or throughout the winter season.  Would you be willing to donate a life-saving gift?  If so, the Main Street location (4040 Main St, KCMO) is open 9 am – 8 pm on Monday, 7 am – 6 pm Tuesday – Thursday, and 7 am – 1 pm Friday – Sunday.

Donors can schedule an appointment at the 4040 Main location here. 

For Donor Center Locations and Hours: https://www.savealifenow.org/donate-blood/donor-center-locations-and-hours/

God wants to use you to make a difference. The only qualifications for helping in KiDSCOR are:

1. having a heart to love God and
2. having a desire to work with children

We will train and equip you with all of the resources and materials that you’ll need. Be a part of our KiDSCOR family today and join our amazing team of volunteers. There are many ways to serve. We look forward to the opportunity to grow in Christ with you.

All volunteers who work with children need to take the online Safe Gatherings training class. You can start volunteering at KiDSCOR right now and take the next class.

Join our remarkable usher team, volunteering with a smile at one of the various worship services. This important ministry involves directing congregants to their seats, passing the notebooks and offering plates during worship. Training is provided and opportunities to serve range from once a month to each Sunday.

Join our remarkable usher team, volunteering with a smile at one of the various worship services. This important ministry involves assisting guests in finding seats, passing the notebooks and offering plates during worship. Training is provided and opportunities to serve range from once a month to each Sunday.

Do you sit in the Balcony? We especially need you to help usher. Sign up here to serve as a Balcony Usher.

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:

• Health Education Serve Trip: January 2-9, 2019
• Medical Serve Trip: February 9-16, 2019
• Bless the Church & Serve the Community: June 2-9, 2019 - Rez Downtown
• Bless the School: June 2-9, 2019
• Bless the School: June 8-15, 2019
• Bless the School : July 20-27, 2019 - Rez West

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:

• January 19-26
• April 27 -  May 4
• June 22-29
• 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 18 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 18, 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.

SERVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS 

Join us one Tuesday of each month as we explore serving opportunities in our local mission ministries. Childcare is available (pre-registration is required here). *Children younger than 5 are welcome at the discretion of parents – these projects may include small pieces and/or require fine motor skills such as cutting.

Winter-Spring 2019 dates are below. Project details coming soon!

February 12, March 12, April 9, May 14, June 11

Flourish Furnishes Hope to those in need by collecting, preparing and distributing donated furnishings and home essentials, transforming the lives of program participants, donors and servants into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. We seek to offer a 'hand up' by meeting the household furnishings needs in Kansas City's urban and suburban communities through donated resources.

Resurrection's Furnishings Ministry seeks to ensure that no child or adult has to live in a home without adequate furniture, and to lead the effort in recycling usable household furnishings.

Please visit the Furnishings Ministry page for details.

You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

The Church of the Resurrection is working to empower Malawians to give them a fighting chance for a future with HOPE. How are we making this happen? Through the Methodist Church, we partner to provide opportunities for abundant life, address basic needs, develop self-sustaining economic empowerment, offer health education and medical rehabilitation. Resurrection also works with our partners to support opportunities for spiritual formation and pastoral leadership, early childhood education, and life skills training.  To learn more, visit our blog.

 2019 Trips:

• Medical: June 6-18
• Economic Empowerment & Agriculture: October 10-22

 
About the Malawi United Methodist Church

 On January 1, 2009, the Malawi United Methodist Church celebrated their status as the new Missionary Conference of the United Methodist Church. Their status reflects the dedication, sacrifices and prayers of Malawian pastors and laity who have planted and nurtured this young church over the past two decades. They grew from a handful of churches to a thriving conference of 22 circuits and more than 140 churches, based on the passion and commitment of John Wesley to preach the Good News. They work to serve those in the most rural villages, hoping to set Malawi on fire for Christ.

Rev. Daniel Mhone, the Church's District Superintendent, supervises 24 pastors appointed in largely rural circuits where 85 percent of the church members survive day-to-day as subsistence farmers.The 22 circuits of the Malawi UMC are each served by one pastor who is responsible for 3 to 20 local churches within a 150-300 square mile region. The pastors work tirelessly as advocates for vital infrastructure in the communities where they serve, such as borehole wells that can provide clean drinking water for families as well as water for washing and irrigation for gardens.

Our Partnership with ZOE
The Church of the Resurrection partners with ZOE, a three-year program developed in Africa that empowers orphans and vulnerable children around the world to overcome extreme poverty, become fully self-reliant, and learn of God’s love for them. ZOE is currently active in Kenya, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Liberia, Guatemala and India.

ZOE’s indigenous program facilitators ensure children know about their rights, are free from abuse and exploitation, and can find a safe place to live. Children learn skills such as farming and animal husbandry at monthly meetings. ZOE then provides tools, seeds and farm animals to the children so they can grow and raise their own food.

Learn more at http://www.zoehelps.org

About Malawi

Malawi is a landlocked country of 10.5 million people, most of whom live in rural areas east of Zambia, west of Mozambique and south of Tanzania. Like Zimbabwe, it was colonized by English-speaking Europeans in the 1800s. Malawi gained its independence from Great Britain in 1964, and became a democratic republic in 1994. Lilongwe is its capital city. The annual per capita income is $800. Some 80 percent of the population is Christian, 55 percent of whom are Protestant.