Saint John United Methodist Church is a connectional church… that’s a word we use to remind us that we are called to be in ministry throughout the world. We can’t be everywhere, but we can develop relationships with other ministries that extend our reach. First and foremost, we connect with other United Methodist congregations and institutions in sharing the Gospel of Grace.
The major community-based ministry we support is our own preschool, the New Horizons Preschool, located here on the church campus. operated under the direction and guidance of an independent board accountable to the church, New Horizons has developed a reputation of being one of the foremost early education programs in Anchorage. Visit the preschool website here.
We also connect with local community organizations…
Saint John United Methodist Church supports several important ministries in the Anchorage area and beyond as partner ministries. We encourage our church family to not limit their mission work to the church but to share their time, talent and treasures widely, all for the glory of God.
Below are some of the programs that we support with ongoing partnerships:
Love INC (Love In The Name of Christ) is a community-based clearinghouse for helping ministries, and Saint John has been a partner since the very beginnings of this great ministry making a difference in Anchorage. Love INC attempts to never duplicate existing community services but fills int he gaps that exist when people need help. We help sponsor the gap ministry of providing persons in need with essential bathroom supplies. Other churches provide other essential needs, ranging from transportation assistance to home repairs.
Habitat for Humanity is a well-known international ministry that helps provide affordable housing through community involvement and sweat-equity. over the decades, Habitat has transformed the way we think about housing ministries in our cities. The Anchorage chapter is always conducting “builds” and Saint John is proud to participate frequently in the effort.
We tray to stay connected to the world through international and global ministries…
One of the primary global outreach ministries at Saint John is the annual mission team. This travel mission program takes committed volunteers to a foreign land to do the work of Christian ministry. These life-changing events make a difference in the community where they happen, but they also make a difference in the lives of the team members who come home with a broader perspective on the nature of our lives as Christians in a very big world with very big problems.
We also are involved globally through our support of United Methodist ministries around the world as we support mission personnel and programs, as well as respond to disasters through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).