The Florida Conference is home to hundreds of local churches, ministries, clergy and lay members dedicated to making a difference in the world. Check out the stories below to see how they are sharing ideas and making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
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Special time in Nicaragua
An 11-year-old tells a story of finding friendship, generosity and common interests in a community vastly different from his hometown.
God's game of dominoes
A trip to Argentina for youth from First UMC, St. Petersburg, leads to an up-close look at Pope Francis' ministry in Rome.
Lifelines to go
Families in need line up for food at the monthly Tice UMC mobile pantry, a partnership between the church and a local food bank that keeps the community fed.
Making connections: the power of Legos
A Florida Conference congregation discovers a great outreach ministry for all ages in those little interlocking plastic blocks.
Even the littlest ones
A crowd gathered to celebrate Village UMC's prekindergarten graduation witnesses the power of prayer when a child stricken by stroke walks in to collect her certificate.
A literal mission field: Cornerstone community garden
A couple's love for the land spreads to a UMC across the road and launches a ministry that feeds the community and cares for the environment.
'Crockpot ministry' takes God's love to the lost
Volunteers from First UMC, Starke, take church and fellowship to Lost Valley Campground, along with meals served hot from the crockpot.
Angels take wing from island church
Tiny, hand-crafted angels carry the prayers of a congregation for people in the armed forces or others in harm's way.
25-year-old signing choir is more than a passing gesture
Mary Harris was looking for a way to make a difference when she heard God's call to start a signing choir for the deaf and people with impaired vision.
Lake City church celebrates 175 years serving the community
First UMC, Lake City, is one of more than 35 churches celebrating milestone anniversaries that will be recognized at Annual Conference.
Artist: Sharing gifts is part of God's plan
Yvonne Krogulski's artwork not only graces St. John's UMC's Angels Care Clinic and Project Love, but she provides free art lessons too.
Small gift carries huge message for Jesus
A United Methodist congregation seals its ministry of emergency aid with a "wear and share" cross pendant necklace for everyone.
Peace UMC gives back to congregation and community
Volunteers turn out to help their Orlando church and community on an April weekend designated for service.
Weary Wesley students fortified for exams
The Florida Conference and Florida United Methodist Foundation team up to serve breakfast and prayers to students during exam week.
UMM to the rescue with Tool Belts United
Rev. Steve Painter and Northeast Florida United Methodist Men team up to offer free TLC to aging church buildings in the North East District.
Educating women in Haiti
A young adult on a mission trip discovers a specific health need for women and raises the funds to address it.
Bethune-Cookman students working for Nepal relief
Students at the United Methodist-related university in Daytona Beach collect prayers and funds to help earthquake victims.
Meet the minister: Tamara Isidore
Rev. Tamara Isidore blazes a trail for Haitian women in the United Methodist pulpit.
Weber named Riverside Retreat director
Weber will begin his ministry at Riverside Retreat on May 1.
LaPorte, meet Pahokee
United Methodist youth and adults from Indiana spend a whirlwind spring break changing lives with First UMC, Pahokee.
Campus to City Wesley Foundation goes to Japan
Last summer, a team of five from the CCW - Campus to City Wesley Foundation in Jacksonville - took a trip to Japan to participate in ministry with Florida missionary Jonathan McCurley and his wife Satomi at the Asian Rural Institute.
Virtual Mosquito 10K
Edgewater UMC will be hosting a race in Port Charlotte on May 23, and not all participants will be in attendance. "We have set this up where anyone in the world can sign up and run anytime – ...
Meet the minister: Roger Scholtz
This pastor brings lessons from Africa to his interim stint at Hyde Park UMC.
Open Arms Village
A new homeless facility nears completion at St. Mark's United Methodist Church. More than just a shelter, Open Arms Village is a comprehensive program with a mission to help homeless men and women achieve independence.
Suncoast Kid's Place: a safe haven for grieving children
Kids help kids heal at this program founded by Van Dyke Church. The Tampa Tribune/TBO.com has the story.
Books add up for migrant children
Girl Scouts team up with St. Andrew's UMC, Brandon, to collect books and end up with more than 1,500 for children of migrant farmworkers.
Operation Love Your Neighbor
Cape Coral First UMC takes it to the streets, fanning out to help the community with service projects.
Meet the minister: still serving at 92
Rev. Haig Medzarentz, 92, has logged more than 50 years in ministry and has no plans to retire.
Foot-washing tradition forges relationships
More than 250 people received food, shoes and a foot-check at the annual foot-washing event at First UMC, Miami.
God used my tie
Pastor David Ames’ essay about how God uses the simple and unexpected to open doors for ministry.
First Oviedo's military outreach is a 'God thing'
Church members make sure veterans and active duty military personnel know they're loved.
Riverside director called to the wilderness
Martha Pierce, longtime camp director at Riverside Retreat, will retire April 1 and continue her Creation Care ministry in Tennessee.
South Shore UMC, students team up to feed hungry children
A United Methodist Church partners with a community college to boost its backpack ministry outreach.
Blessings outweigh challenges for historic church
A legacy of railroad magnate and noted hotelier Henry Flagler, Grace UMC makes the most of its heritage in historic downtown St. Augustine.