WHY MISSIONS?
Tyner UMC believes serving others is a crucial part of our faith and the teachings of Jesus. As we try to model our lives after Jesus' own, we see that Jesus was consistently viewing others' needs as more important than his own.
We desire to be a faith community that can follow that example and boldly proclaim: "Serving others is our passion!"
GET INVOLVED
We would love for you to join us on mission as we strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the Chattanooga area and to the ends of the earth!
Scroll down to see the opportunities to serve with us.
If you would like to donate to support any of these missions, click the give link below. At the giving page select the fund titled "Missions Fund" and in the optional memo enter the specific mission you would like to donate towards.
Missions Opportunities
CLEAN WATER FOR THE WORLD/Krista Dover
Provide simple, adaptable water purification systems to communities without access to potable water. Clean water is a human right. Having access to bacteria and virus-free water prevents water-borne diseases. By providing adaptable UV water purification units to communities in developing countries, we improve the overall health of the community.
THE BETHLEHEM CENTER
We are God's people empowering inner-city youth and families to lead responsible lives by providing discipleship, education, and leadership development.
UMCOR HYGIENE KITS
Providing basic necessities to people who have been forced to leave their homes because of human conflict or natural disaster. Hygiene kits are also used as learning tools in personal hygiene, literacy, nutrition, and cooking classes.
UMCOR CLEANING KITS
Enabling those affected by floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes to begin the overwhelming job of cleaning up.
FAMILY PROMISE
Family Promise serves families of all compositions. We welcome everyone in the community to be part of the solution to empower families experiencing homelessness and ultimately retain and regain the safety, security, and opportunity that comes with having a home.
THE LIONS CLUB
Serving others by collecting eyeglasses. Eyeglasses are sorted to determine those that are usable or unusable, processed and placed in inventory for distribution to optical missions around the world. Lions help to minimize landfill waste by supporting precious metal reclamation and scrap processing for damaged glasses that are unusable
THE SALVATION ARMY/Angel Tree Program
Collects new clothes and toys to put under the tree for 1 million children across the United States who usually have to go without Christmas gifts.
THE SALVATION ARMY/Backpacks for Homeless + Senior Gift Stockings
Senior Stockings filled with gifts and toiletries.
Backpacks-filled with traveling size hygiene supplies, gloves, hats, handwarmers, blankets, flashlights, and rain ponchos.
H3 MINISTRIES
H3 Ministries is a nonprofit organization that works with the homeless community in Chattanooga and the surrounding areas. The ministry goes into the camps to visit with our outside neighbors to provide hope, extend help and facilitate healing in various ways.
H3 Ministries build true friendships that allow others to see themselves the way that God sees them. Our continued work is providing future hope to those that many times have lost all hope. Part of our work is extending help by delivering necessities along with food to the camps to include a hot meal once a week. We depend on donations from the community to be able to supply necessities and put the meals together each week. Through our experiences, our volunteers have seen almost 200 people transition from homeless to house and leading productive lives again.
WORLD GOSPEL MISSION/Kurt and Cynthia Zimmerman
While teaching in northern Kentucky in the late 1980’s, we sensed God calling us to work in cross-cultural missions. We’re so thankful that He led us to World Gospel Mission and allowed us to serve in Bolivia as teachers at the Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center and as members of the Cristo Viene Church from 1994 to 2018. What a blessing!
Words can’t express how much God did for us there, how much we learned from the Bolivian people, and how enriched our lives have been because of our experience. Yet, in 2016 we began to realize that everything has its time and that the time was approaching for us to move on from Bolivia. After praying for two years for the Lord’s clear guidance, He confirmed to us that we should continue to serve Him cross-culturally in missions, but that for now we should serve in the United States. Now, we have been appointed to WGM’s ministries on the Texas/Mexico Border.
We will undoubtedly continue to be involved in education, community outreach, and church ministries. Whatever our roles are, our goals are to love as Christ loves and to live and proclaim the Truth of His Word. Our prayer is that the Holy Spirit will work through us to help many people on the border come to know the only true God and His Son Jesus Christ. We pray that knowing Him, they will fully consecrate their lives to Him, grow in Him, and live to glorify Him.
10/40 CONNECTIONS
In 2000, the founders of 10/40 Connections, Chad and Leslie Neal Segraves were 26 and 27 years old. They had no money, no networks, and only limited experience. But over many months of prayer, fasting, and seeking God, he spoke clearly to them about what they were to do – three years, three nations, three worldviews, mobilize churches from different denominations.
They incorporated 10/40 Connections in May 2000 with the vision to live among the least reached while mobilizing churches in the U.S. to engage effectively. Mission agencies told them, "You need to decide if you want to work overseas or in a church in the U.S. You can’t do both." To their inquiring minds, however, it seemed that the greatest missionary ever – the Apostle Paul – had done both
Over the next three years, seven churches joined them in this tri-nation experiment. During that time, Chad and Leslie learned the value of "drinking tea and eating rice," which enabled them to learn from local believers and build deep friendships.
As 10/40 advocates from each partnering church mobilized prayer, awareness, and opportunities among our seven partnering churches, Leslie and Chad saw fruit as hundreds were exposed to the Gospel, people accepted Christ, new believers were discipled, demons were cast out, orphans were cared for, and house churches were started. And through God’s divine connections, He graciously helped them meet and befriend many key Christian leaders in each of the nations.
Like any ministry, 10/40 has spent considerable time trying to clarify its vision and narrow its focus. Though we at times have begged God for one main focus, He continues to use two analogies to keep us moving.
AMANDA'S CLOSET
Amanda Swartout grew up at Tyner UMC. Her faith was very deep, and her compassion for others reflected the love she had in her heart for Jesus. Amanda’s faith sustained her when she got the diagnosis of a rare form of brain cancer at 11 years old.
During that time, she spent several holidays including the Christmas season away from home at St. Jude and LeBonheur Hospital. It saddened her that so many children were in the hospital for holidays and some without the company of family members. She wanted to do something to help.
As Christmas approached she had the idea of having a celebration that combined her birthday with Christmas. Amanda did not want any gifts for herself. Instead, she asked that guests bring toys for children of all ages to be given to LeBonheur Hospital.
The staff at LeBonheur Hospital constructed a cabinet to store the toys. The cabinet was named "Amanda’s Closet."
Amanda lived 18 months after her diagnosis and went home to be with the Lord in 2011. Her heart and love for Jesus has continued on by filling "Amanda’s Closet" each holiday season. To this day "Amanda’s Closet" brings a ray of happiness to children who are facing serious brain illnesses or injuries.
If you are interested in being part of Amanda’s inspiring mission, Tyner UMC will be collecting toys through December 13, 2021 to be delivered to LeBonheur Hospital. Monetary donations are also accepted to purchase toys. Thank you!
