Missions

The Purpose of Outreach and Missions:

To become more like Jesus through acts of kindness and mercy by serving those in need and by sharing the gospel with the lost.

Mission Funding Request Form

First Methodist Church of Oviedo is blessed with a serious commitment to reaching out and making a difference in this world. From the regular mission opportunities locally, nationally and internationally, to the support of military members around the globe, we are touching lives. Click through our links to see the different missions our church is involved with and get plugged in!

Types of Missions

What is a Core Mission?
1. Each core mission at First Methodist Church of Oviedo should fall within the following people groups:
· At risk youth
· At risk seniors
· The Underserved (primarily homelessness and hunger)
2. Each core mission has an appointed leader and at least two additional people who are committed to the mission
3. Core Missions must have a high opportunity for serving
· Local / easy to get to
· Activities and serve opportunities that can be put on the calendar throughout the year.
4. A core mission has a high capacity for personal relationship development.
5. The Core Mission and the people it serves, has an identified leader.
6. The Core Mission has been vetted and is a viable, trustworthy faith-based organization.
7. To enable more focused communications, there will be no more than 4 core missions (unless the Missions Guide Team votes unanimously to add a core mission)
Missions begin with "loving your neighbor as yourself," and First Methodist Church of Oviedo warmly embraces our neighbors. Missions we are currently involved with:
Residing Hope Children's Home
The Fight Against Human Trafficking/S.A.F.E. Central Florida
-Harbour Hope International
-Love Missions Global
Orlando Union Rescue Mission
-Food Pantry
-Parachute Team
-Palm Valley
-Hope Helps
-In addition, our Parachute Team frequently comes to the rescue of residents in the church and community.
First Methodist Church of Oviedo is ready to travel to spread the word of God!
We have mission opportunities open to individuals, families, and youth.

Our Core Missions

1. Personal Touch
- Pray for children and staff
- Cards for the children
- Noisy coins collection (5th Sundays)
- Follow us on Facebook and Instagram
2. Share Resources
- Monetary donations / gift cards
- Angel tree at Christmas
- Sponsor an off campus activity such as bowling, roller skating, and movies
- Purchase items on Amazon Wishlist
3. Showing Up
- Dinner & Game Nights / 3rd Thursday of the month at 5:15 PM
- Host a holiday event: Valentine’s party (Feb 13, 2026), End of the Year party
- Day of Hope Tour Day: Saturday, February 21, 2026 (this is family friendly and open to all ages!)
4. BIG ASK:
- Linen shower for Independent Living / May 2026
- Supporting campus renovations, landscaping, and clean-up
Residing Hope Gift Card Drive
We invite you to participate with us as we collect gift cards for the children of Residing Hope. The staff of Residing Hope will utilize a portion of the gift cards to purchase personalized gifts for the children. The gifts will be wrapped and placed under the Christmas tree to be opened on Christmas morning. They will also receive some gift cards on Christmas morning, which will allow them to go shopping. Any additional gift cards will be used after Christmas to purchase needed items for the children throughout the year.
We are collecting gift cards in increments of $20-$100 (prefer large increments when possible) to major chain stores and restaurants. Our most requested cards are Visa, Ross, TJ Max, Wal-Mart, Burlington Department Store, and Epic Theater. Popular restaurants include Darden Brands, Applebee’s, McDonald’s, Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Dairy Queen and Chili’s.
We ask that the gift card amount be written somewhere on the gift card.
Also please include a gift card receipt with each gift card, as this will help us with processing.

1. Personal Touch
- Pray for survivors in Harbour Hope’s programs
- Sign up for our weekly prayer texts by texting HOPE to 97000
- Sign up for our monthly prayer emails (website)
- Join our monthly virtual prayer meeting (website)
- Help us send Christmas Cards to our champions
2. Sharing Resources
- Gift Cards (Publix, Walmart, or Gas Cards) – empower survivors to meet practical needs independently.
- Participate in our Christmas Celebration
- Purchase items from our Amazon Wishlist
- Adopt a survivor and their children for Christmas
3. Showing Up
- Join our Volunteer Team – Empowered Volunteer Training is offered quarterly in a variety of locations. Sign up on our website.
- Volunteer with Our Children’s Program
- Join a Community Outreach – help with awareness events
4. BIG ASK
- Become a Mentor or Monthly Partner
- Mentorship changes lives, and monthly partners sustain the work — allowing us to say “yes” to more survivors and children in need of care.
ADOPT A SURVIVOR OR FAMILY
Participants will receive a “wish list” for a few personal items, clothing sizes, and gift card requests to make the holiday meaningful. Drop off to church office
by Dec 14
SEND CHRISTMAS CARDS TO OUR CHAMPIONS
The Champions are the incredible board members, volunteers and donors who make this mission’s work possible. Harbour Hope will provide cards, envelopes, stamps, and list of names/addresses.
Contact info@harbourhope.org for more information.

Orlando Union Rescue Mission

Orlando Union Rescue Mission: The OURM provides more than just relief—we equip the homeless for long-term independence and self-sufficiency built on a personal relationship with Christ. We are more than a homeless shelter. Our life-transforming services are designed to address every area of need (physical, emotional, social, and spiritual) so those who were once hungry, hurting, and homeless can become filled, restored, and secure.

www.ourm.org

Freddy Clayton, President/CEO

1. Personal Touch
- Follow our Facebook page for latest news and needs.
- Pray for the guests at OURM and those who serve there.
2. Share Resources
- Pillows and towels
- Unwrapped toys for Christmas toy drive
- Bibles
- Laptops or used computers to help teach technology skills
- Hygiene kits
- Backpacks and school supplies
- Spring shoe drive (to prepare for foot washing)
3. Showing Up
- Serve dinner at the men’s home once a month.
- Volunteer for a meal service shift at the Family Home (lunch or dinner service) or Project Hope (dinner service).
- Fall Festival
4. BIG ASK:
Tutoring students is a high priority for OURM. OURM students have tutoring Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 4:30pm - 7:30pm and Wednesday from 3pm - 4pm and 4:30pm - 7pm.
OURM TOY DRIVE
Help spread joy and love this Christmas by donating new unwrapped toys, crafts, books, and games suitable for ages 0-17.
Amazon Wishlists
Ages 0–3: https://a.co/hOQZQik
Ages 4–6: https://a.co/dYXzDjs
Ages 7–9: https://a.co/4KoEoS2
Drop off in the Welcome Center or church office by Dec 3.

Love Missions Global

Love Missions: Love Missions is dedicated to the abolishment of modern-day slavery through community awareness and education. Domestically we travel to some of the most impoverished areas of the United States to care for those in need. Globally we travel to remote areas to restore, educate and build safe houses.

www.lovemissions.net

Tina Kadolph , President & Co-founder

Carl Kadolph, CEO & Co-founder

1. Personal Touch
- Pray for survivors and for the Legacy Ranch property.
- Write notes of encouragement for survivors
2. Sharing Resources
- Gift cards (examples: Walmart, Home Depot, VISA cards, gas cards, etc.)
- Supplies for Freedom Bags
- Silent Auction items for our “Evening of Hope and Impact” (Nov 14), (examples: cruises, theme park tickets, hotel stays/getaways, etc.)
- Monetary donations
3. Showing Up
- Join awareness and education training events to help prevent trafficking and spread hope
- Volunteer at Elevate Her Boutique
- Packing Parties for Freedom Bags
- Attend our “Evening of Hope and Impact” event on November 14th
4. BIG ASK
Invest in the Legacy Ranch property (corporate sponsors and personal contributions). We have a dollar-for-dollar matching grant for $100,000 from The Father’s Table Foundation to double the impact of any donation.
Christmas Boxes of Love
Once again, we are preparing shoeboxes for children in our community that will feature gifts and essentials for a child of a specific age group and gender:
-Plastic shoebox w/Lid
-School Supplies
-Hygiene Items
-Toys/Games (age, gender appropriate)
-Candy (non-melting, individually wrapped)
-Books, Bible, Devotional
-Journal and/or Pens
-Gift Card (Restaurant or Store)
-Add a holiday card or note from your family/group

Harbour Hope International

Harbour Hope International: Harbour Hope International provides hope and healing to survivors of human trafficking in our local community through holistic resources and collaborative solutions on their journey to self-sustainability. The foundation of restoration is built upon unified support, leading them to spiritual, mental, physical, and financial freedom.

harbourhope.org

Merrie & Igor Karimov, Co-Founders

Residing Hope Children's Home

Residing Hope: Formerly The Florida United Methodist Children’s Home, Residing Hope is now a diverse ministry that includes therapeutic residential care, foster care, independent living assistance, Montessori education for the community, and counseling services in multiple counties.

www.residinghope.org

Kitwana McTyer, President & CEO

Nancy Pandolph (First Methodist Church Oviedo)

Volunteer Now!

We love our volunteers at First Methodist Church of Oviedo! If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please fill out the information below and let us know the area(s) you are interested in serving. Thank you for your interest!