Our Communion Rail Offering: WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY
David, Liliana, and Emma celebrating his doctorate from Perkins School of Theology (SMU), December 2020.
This Sunday, October 5, is World Communion Sunday. United Methodists around the globe will celebrate communion with Christians of all denominations, recognizing our unity in Christ as we join together worldwide in Holy Communion.
Embracing this commitment, United Methodists dedicate this day to nurturing diverse leadership within the church. Gifts received support scholarships and leadership training for underrepresented students.
Contributions fund scholarships for U.S. and international students, as well as grants that strengthen inclusion, diversity, equity, and access. Last year, over $360,000 was raised to advance these initiatives:
50% of funds provide scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students of color pursuing ordained ministry.
35% of funds support worldwide training in inclusion, diversity, equity, and access. These In-Service Training Grants help recruit, train, and retain people of color in leadership across all levels of church ministry. Imagine the impact of one World Communion Sunday scholarship recipient on the many lives of people, leaders, pastors, and future pastors.
15% of funds support leadership development among partner churches and communities in Africa, Asia/Pacific, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and communities of color in the U.S.
One such recipient is David Rangel, who grew up in a low-income neighborhood in Monterrey, Mexico, in a devout Christian family of lay leaders and pastors. As a boy, he dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player until he entered engineering school.
After graduating from the Engineering School in Monterrey, Rangel joined a mission trip to Dallas, TX, helping a United Methodist church connect with its community. Though he was engaged in meaningful ministry, he lacked the financial resources to pursue his calling.
“It was the United Methodist Church that opened its doors for me to begin my pastorate as a local pastor,” Rangel says. “Later, the church provided the financial support to become a permanent U.S. resident so that I could attend seminary.”
With a master’s degree completed, Rangel sought to continue doctoral studies. The General Board of Global Ministries, through World Communion Sunday offerings, supported his pursuit of a Doctorate at Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology.
Rangel’s ministry has been innovative and wide-reaching:
Developing the first Spanish-speaking multi-site model in the Legacy North Texas Conference, opening two campuses in his previous appointment.
Creating a Spanish-language Leadership Institute.
Producing a Spanish leadership podcast, Liderazgo y Estrategias Ministeriales (“Leadership and Ministry Strategies”).
Currently, he is forming a coaching cohort for Spanish-speaking pastors, serves with the Hispanic Latino Planters Group (which evaluates the work of the National Plan with the General Board of Discipleship Ministries), and pastors the largest Spanish-speaking church in the Horizon Texas Conference at Custer Road en Español.
Rangel—and many other scholarship recipients—are making a difference because of your gifts to this Special Sunday offering.
Please give generously to the World Communion Sunday offering on October 5! Every penny you give goes directly to people who need this support.
