Hyde Park United Methodist directly supports a number of educational institutions and other mission projects throughout the world:

The Aksakovo Methodist Congregation is Hyde Park’s “connecting congregation” in Bulgaria coordinated through the World Methodist Council, a cooperative body of United Methodist Churches in 135 countries around the world.

For more information or to get involved contact Linda Brown, church liaison, email or phone 813.348.0152. The agency’s liaison, Pastor Stoyan Stalev, can be reached by email. More information is available at the World Methodist Council website.

The largest United Methodist seminary in Europe, the Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary currently serves 99 students from eight countries who study in three languages: Estonian, Russian and English. Seminary students receive internationally accredited, university-level training. Their studies prepare them for Christian ministry across the Baltic region and the former Soviet world.

For more information or to get involved contact Pam Carpenter, church liaison, email or phone 813.258.8357. The agency’s liaison, Meeli Tankler, can be reached at email. More information is available at the Baltic Mission Center website.

Founded in 1989 as a ministry of Johannesburg’s Central Methodist Mission, For Love of Children (FLOC) provides quality preschool education in a safe, caring and stimulating environment to disadvantaged inner-city children from ages 3 months to 6 years. Hyde Park United Methodist pays for scholarships for three children at FLOC through the Faith Promise Fund.

For more information or to get involved contact Susan Anderson, church liaison, email or phone 813.259.9688. The agency’s liaison, Sibibgile Ncube, can be reached at email. More information is available at the FLOC website.

Ronald S. Davidson is a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church serving as coordinator of volunteers in mission in Honduras. The Honduras Mission is a Mission Initiative launched in 1994.

“I coordinate volunteer teams from all over the U.S.,” he states. “Some teams come from small churches, and some come from large churches, but all of the volunteers have servants’ hearts and willing hands to work alongside their brother and sisters in Christ. Construction teams are helping to build worship centers, educational facilities and parsonages, and they also do maintenance on existing buildings. Other teams work with Vacation Bible Schools. Others teach sewing, knitting, crocheting and craft-making classes. Medical groups engage in
health, dental and eye clinics.”

For more information, the agency’s liaison, Rachael Barnett, can be reached at 212.870.3790 or email. More information is available at the General Board of Global Ministries website.

Heifer International works with communities to end hunger and poverty, and to care for the earth. Since 1944, Heifer has provided help to 13.6 million families worldwide. Heifer provides 22 different kinds of livestock to 817 projects in 53 countries on five continents, including 25 states in the United States. It has helped 13.6 million families move toward greater self-reliance through raising livestock, training and “Passing on the Gift” - where recipients agree to share offspring of their animals with others in need. Hyde Park United Methodist groups have purchased animals every year. You can donate to Heifer International via the Aldersgate Corner Bookstore and Coffee Shop.

For more information or to get involved contact Lynn Osborne, church liaison, email or phone 813.253.5388. The agency’s liaison, Diana Carsey, can be reached at 727.409.5415 or email. More information is available at the Heifer International website.

The Cuba-Florida Covenant, now known as Methodists United in Prayer, was created in 1997 between Cuba and Florida Methodist bishops to promote a renewed church/family relationship between Florida United Methodist churches and their sister churches in Cuba. The Guanito church and Hyde Park exchange prayers and visitors to gain a better understanding of one another’s culture and worship practices.

For more information or to get involved contact Elio Muller, church liaison, email or phone 813.334.6205. The agency’s liaison, Renee Kincaid, can be reached at 813.885.5674 or email. More information is available at the Cuba-Florida Covenant website.

Compelled by Christ’s compassion, UMCOR responds in natural or human-made disasters with hearts open to all people. UMCOR seeks to ensure that all projects are performed with integrity by working with local partners in every area of service. Every dollar contributed to an UMCOR Advance goes to that program.

For more information or to get involved contact Diane North, church liaison, email or phone 813.254.7071. The agency’s liaison, James Rollins, can be reached at 800.554.8583 or email. More information is available at the UMCOR website.

United Methodist Volunteers In Mission (UMVIM), Southeastern Jurisdiction (SEJ), exists to promote, encourage and enable Christians to exemplify “Christian Love In Action.” UMVIM provides opportunities for service in places of need around the world by developing and nurturing relationships with domestic and international leaders. UMVIM continually nurtures their contacts with leaders to respond to the needs of local communities and to provide comprehensive project information. Our office strives to connect volunteers’ talents to suitable projects for effective service.

For more information or to get involved contact Ken Cowles, church liaison, email. More information is available at the UMVIM website.

For information about UMVIM misison trips, click here.

Upper Room Ministries has been serving Christians around the world for 75 years through The Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide, a source of inspiration, Scripture and prayer. Today, The Upper Room is published in 40 languages for 2.5 million readers in more than 100 countries. In 2003, Hyde Park became the second congregation to join the Church Partners in International Ministry to provide funding for distribution of The Upper Room in Cuba, Africa and Bulgaria.

For more information or to get involved contact Cathy O'Brien, church liaison, email. The agency’s liaison, Dale Rust Waymack, can be reached at 877.899.2780, ext 7236 or email. More information is available at the Upper Room Ministries website.

Wycliffe, Partners in Bible Translation is a nondenominational mission organization dedicated to translating the Scriptures and teaching people to read and write in their own language. Hyde Park partners with two missionary families, the Eberhards in Brazil and the Edmistons in Nigeria.

For more information about the Brazilian mission, contact Vicki Walker, church liaison, email. The agency’s liaisons, Dave and Julie Eberhard, can be reached at 859.327.4221or email. Click here for a message from the Eberhards.

For more information about the Nigerian mission, contact Andrea Aitken, church liaison, email. The agency’s liaisons, Pat and Melenda Edmiston, can be reached at 407.488.8385 or email. Click here for a message from the Edmistons.

More information on both missions is available at the Wycliffe website.