Missions

WE ARE CALLED TO GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND MAKE DISCIPLES. WHILE THE WHOLE WORLD NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT JESUS, WE ARE FINDING THAT AMERICA ITSELF IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE A MISSION FIELD. 

There are limitless opportunities to be messengers of the Gospel. And these opportunities include not only a verbal transmission of the Truth, but paths of service that demonstrate what the love of God is like. If you know the love of Jesus, and have the desire to tell or share that love with others, let us know. We will help you find the paths you need to share the Gospel with others.

If you want any information on any of these missions or how to help, please email missions@laportechurch.org!

Lay Visitation Team

James tells us that "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress," (1:27). Through the Lay Visitation Team, our hope is to look after our brothers and sisters in distress. This includes folks who are unable to make it out of their home, the sick, and anyone else who is lonely and in distress.

This team meets quarterly for training and support and visits two people a month. Anyone interested in either receiving a visit from a team member or becoming a team member please contact Reverend Baker (pastor@laportechurch.org).

Stephen Ministry

The Stephen Series is a complete system for training and organizing lay people to provide one-to-one Christian care to hurting people.

At LaPorte United Methodist Church, lay caregivers (called Stephen Ministers) provide one-to-one Christian care to the bereaved, hospitalized, terminally ill, separated, divorced, unemployed, relocated, and others facing a crisis or life challenge. Stephen Ministry provides quality caring ministry for as long as people need it. Each Stephen Minister is carefully chosen, receives over 50 hours of training, and is involved in ongoing supervision in order to provide the very best care.

If you are facing a difficult time or need a trustworthy, non-judgmental person with whom you can talk in a confidential way, then you could use a Stephen Minister. Call us (440-458-5717) and we will gladly find someone to care for you.

Operation Christmas CHild

LaPorte United Methodist Church participates in the Operation Christmas Child Project. "The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to provide God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ." Please visit https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/ for more information about this amazing mission.


Each month, our church collects specific items to fit in the shoebox. Please look below to see what item we are collecting this month! Please click here for specific gift ideas.


MONTHLY COLLECTIONS

January – Hats, Scarves, Gloves

February – Accessories

March – Quality Crafts

April – Stuffed Animals

May – Hygiene Items

June – Toys

July – Clothing Items

August – School Supplies

September – Games

October – Letters and Photos

November – Donations for shipping ($10/box)

December – Pray for the children receiving the boxes

St. Pauly's Shed

St. Pauly's clothing collection shed is located in our parking lot as a place to drop off used clothing. The clothing collected is sent to people all over the world. It helps our environment by keeping the clothing out of our landfills and helps those in need. The shed is for clothing, shoes, sneakers, belts, purses, blankets, sheets, pillowcases, drapes, and stuffed toys only. No rags, fabric scraps, pillows, toys, or household goods, please. Tax-deductible sheets are located on the shed. Please put your donations in a bag and tie it.

Community Breakfast

Community Breakfast is held on the last Sunday of every month from 8:30am-10am.  We invite anyone in the community to come and enjoy a home cooked meal with us! This is a great time to get to know members of our community and fellowship with them over a hearty meal!

Food Pantry

At LaPorte UMC we endeavor to feed not only the soul, but the body as well. Those who hunger can find some relief through our food pantry ministry.


To receive food:

  • Call ahead (440-458-5717) so we know how much food to bag for you and your family. Your food should then be ready for you when you arrive.
  • Please come with photo identification.
  • You may receive a food donation once per month in order that we may serve everyone in need.

Making a food donation:

  • We accept food donations any time during business hours or when the church is open.
  • All food donations are appreciated but must be non-perishable, unopened, and given prior to any expiration date. Please keep quality in mind, for those who receive this food are Christ's representatives to us. (Matthew 25:40)
  • Cash may also be given so that we can purchase needed items that have not been donated.