Peachtree City United Methodist Church (PTCUMC) is gearing up for its 2nd Annual Global Impact Celebration (GIC), a major event for the church, which starts Thursday, Feb. 5.
Led by the Rev. Tamlyn Collins, associate pastor of Serve Ministries, and the GIC Planning Team, the extended weekend is planned for Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 5-8.
“This is a life-changing experience for the life of the church,” a spokesperson said. “Last year’s inaugural event saw a tremendous increase in mission support from PTCUMC members, going from approximately $80,000 given in 2013 to more than $467,000 given in support of missions from February through December 2014 through Faith Promise Funds.”
Not only did the church receive funds to support local, regional, and international partners, two church families answered the call to serve as cross-cultural witnesses (missionaries) in international settings.
Currently, PTCUMC has eight local community partners, 13 regional partners, and eight international partners that it supports through Faith Promise Funds.
Invited guest speakers for the GIC event include:
• Dr. Alvern Vom Steeg, senior international director with the International Leadership Institute. Vom Steeg has over 45 years of pastoral experience in the United States and Brazil. He says he is passionate about working with and equipping international Christian leaders from almost every continent in the world to share the gospel. He is the former president of The Mission Society, a Lifetime Trustee of the Asbury Theological Seminary, and the author of “Freedom to Live.”
• The Rev. Richard McClain, retired president and CEO of The Mission Society. McClain was the longest tenured member of The Mission Society’s staff, first as its director of missionary personnel. He subsequently served as vice president for Mission Ministry, vice president for Church Ministry, vice president for Mission Operations, and finally as executive vice president and chief operating officer, retiring in 2014.
He says he is passionate about finishing the unfinished task of reaching the nations with the Good News.
• The Rev. Tom Atkins, general evangelist for the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. Atkins represents a new generation of evangelists by seeking to bring the truths and experiences of the Gospel to contemporary culture. He pastored United Methodist churches in North Georgia for 23 years before being appointed as a general evangelist.
• The Rev. Richard Coleman, senior director for mobilization and candidacy for The Mission Society. Coleman travels the world teaching mission classes and supporting missionaries. He says he is dedicated to spreading the Gospel through inspiring God’s people to serve others.
• The Rev. Carolyn Moore, pastor of Mosaic United Methodist Church. Moore helped to plant Mosaic UMC and currently leads the congregation as they keep their focus on “ … the call of making disciples of Jesus Christ by incorporating Bible studies, and worship services outside the church at local outreach sites around Augusta.”
Moore says her passion is telling the story of Jesus Christ through ministry, outreach, and writing.
The GIC schedule of events includes:
• Kick-off Celebration, Thursday, Feb. 5, 6:30 p.m. As a special treat, members of the Atlanta Homeward Choir from Central Night Shelter, directed by Donal Noonan, will sing during the GIC. Noonan and the choir were recently featured in a CNN story suggesting that singing in the choir gives the men confidence, self-worth and helps them feel like a part of the community again.
“We are surely glad that they will be a part of our community during the opening ceremony for the GIC at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday night” a spokesperson said.
• Mission Fair/Family Dinner, Friday, Feb. 6, 6:30 p.m. “Sow and Grow Bingo” was especially created for this GIC. Children are especially encouraged to come to the Family Mission Celebration Dinner on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. The Praise Team will perform, and the children will have the opportunity to play this new game with the missionaries and win a prize. The atmosphere will be casual with lots of activities and fun.
• Men’s Breakfast with guest speaker the Rev. Richard Coleman, Saturday, Feb. 7, 8 a.m.
• Women’s Luncheon with guest speaker the Rev. Carolyn Moore, Saturday, Feb. 7, 11:30 a.m.
• Children and Family Community Outreach Event, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2:30 p.m.
• Youth Worship Event, Saturday, Feb. 7, 7 p.m.
• Goodies and Gatherings, Saturday, Feb. 7, 7 p.m. Goodies and Gatherings will be a highlight this year. Twenty-seven of the church’s mission partners will be represented at GIC. Those who come to the gatherings on the third floor of the Robinson Road location from 7-9 p.m. Saturday, will have the opportunity to meet in a small group with local, regional, and international missions. This would be a great opportunity to ask questions and get to know those who make the mission move. All of this will happen in a cozy atmosphere. Dessert will be served.
• Roundtable discussions with missionaries, Sunday, Feb. 8, 8:30 a.m.
• Faith Promise Worship Service, Sunday, Feb. 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m.
• Life Commitment Service, Sunday, Feb. 8, 6 p.m.
Register on the church website or with the registration cards for all food events and events that require childcare.
For more information, contact Sharon McNeal, director of communications, 770-632-3777, or email, sharon.mcneal@ptcumc.org.
