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Who are we and what do we do?

United Methodist Volunteers In Mission (UMVIM) is a grassroots movement within The United Methodist Church designed to provide an official channel whereby Christians, both lay and clergy, may offer their skills and talents for Christian service at home and around the world on short term assignments at their own expense.

Their work includes construction and renewing of mission facilities, teaching, witnessing, conducting medical clinics, conducting Bible study or Bible School for children, and serving in disaster relief efforts around the world.

The UMVIM movement began in 1976 and is organized by jurisdiction. Global Ministries networks with the jurisdictional UMVIM offices, which in turn coordinate with annual conference offices.

The UMVIM network offers guidance, organization, and training for more than 125,000 volunteers serving with the poor; building churches; and assisting in disaster response, community health, and leadership training each year.

Through UMVIM, you can serve with a team (typically 10-16 persons) or as an individual. Volunteers need to be in relatively good health, complete an application form, willing to pay his/her own way or help to raise team funds, and agree to attend training sessions conducted by the team leader prior to departure. Read more here.

Opportunities at home and abroad

The need for Volunteers in Mission is local, national and global. Projects have been approved, or vetted, by the United Methodist Mission organization to ensure that your team will have an experience that is rewarding and beneficial for both the serving and the served. Programs are approved by the conference, jurisdiction, General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) or United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) before they may be placed on the appropriate VIM Project List. The lists are maintained both for location and for type of team (disaster, youth, adult.) The lists are updated as often as a project is approved or completed so be sure to check often for ideas on where you might like to enjoy a mission experience. Visit these websites for information on U.S. Projects, for International Projects or for Youth Projects.