At Platte Woods UMC we believe all people have a call placed on their hearts by God to spread the good news of God’s love in Jesus Christ and serve in response to that love. We believe the Holy Spirit empowers and gives us everything we need to accomplish wonderful, adventurous and challenging acts of mission. Our call as part of the body of Christ is to serve those in need. Come serve and seek justice with us! Below are just a few of the opportunities available through PWUMC. For more information about missions and service at PWUMC, please contact Brandi Molina, director of Missions.

PWUMC has traditionally set aside one Saturday of each month as a day to serve together. Serving together as a church is an amazing opportunity to bless others and be blessed by going out into our community to show the love of Christ in real and tangible ways. In February, we invite you to join our Cost of Poverty Experience, or COPE Event.  

In an effort to support the work of our House to Home Team, we are hosting a household supply drive.  If you have a passion for helping provide support and hope to families who have faced unimaginable challenges, select items you’d like to donate from our “Wish Wall” located on the far east side of the Gathering Space or visit our Amazon Wish List. 

We are also in need of larger donations such as; end tables, dressers, kitchen tables, etc.  If you have larger items to donate, please contact Brandi prior to dropping them off.  Due to limited storage space and specific criteria, furniture must be approved before being brought to the church. 

Approved donations can be dropped off in the donation bins in the Gathering Space on Sunday mornings.

If you have questions, please contact Brandi Molina, director of Missions for more information.

Refugee Resettlement 

Platte Woods UMC partners with Della Lamb Community Services to support refugee families in Kansas City.  As part of that work, we have developed two teams:

Our House to Home Team works to fully furnish homes for newly arrived refugee or evacuee families.  Our team is always updating and collecting donations of new and used household items to help furnish these homes.  Furniture donations must be approved prior to dropping them off at the church.

Our Co-Sponsorship team works directly with refugee families, helping as conversation partners, transportation assistance, job searches, budgeting, and more. The co-sponsorship team plays an integral role in helping refugees become self-sufficient through relational collaboration among Della Lamb, PWUMC, and the families we work with.  We are looking for leaders and team members with various interests and skills to join this team. 

If you are interested in more information on how you can get involved with our refugee resettlement work, e-mail Brandi Molina, Director of Missions.  

If you’re interested in being a part of a short-term opportunity to serve others, visit the Seasonal Missions page for more information on opportunities taking place through the fall and holiday seasons, including:

• Easter Meal Boxes
• Thanksgiving Feast for Families
• Christmas Adopt a Family
• Angel Tree
• Shepherd’s Run

Pine Ridge American Indian Reservation

Pine Ridge is one of the poorest places in the United States, with over 90% living below the poverty line and a life expectancy rate that is one of the lowest in the western hemisphere. For many years, Platte Woods UMC has been building relationships, and providing hope and encouragement. We now schedule two summer mission trips, during which we provide support for local organizations and ministries. We also connect with the people of Pine Ridge (especially children) through interactive activities, and learning about the culture and history of the Lakota people. At other times during the year, we take up collections to help fulfill needs and provide encouragement. Most notably, before “prom season” we collect donations of dresses and men’s dress clothing, and we collect school supplies before the start of the school year.

Honduras / Guatamala

Serving the poor in developing countries in Central America has been a passion for Dr. Marty Kanne and Platte Woods UMC. Dr. Kanne has been going to Honduras and Guatemala since 1989. He and his team of Platte Woods UMC volunteers have built schools, churches, houses and other projects that establish sustaining resources.

PWUMC has also provided support through connections with ODIM, the Organization for the Development of Indigenous Maya.  ODIM operates medical and dental clinics in Guatemala as well as provides educational programs addressing childhood malnutrition, adolescent health, diabetes, safe stoves and safe drinking water. They focus not only on giving quality medical care but preventative health care as well, and address root causes of some of the health issues these communities face. ODIM is staffed predominantly by local Maya/Guatemala employees, mostly women.

Mission Disaster Relief Through the UMC 

In the United Methodist Church, apportionments paid by local churches pay all UMCOR administrative costs, so 100% of your donations to disaster relief go to work in communities in need. If you’d like to support disaster relief efforts in the U.S., you can write a check to PWUMC and note “US UMCOR #901670” in the memo line. If you feel called to help with disaster relief efforts overseas, write a check to PWUMC and note “International UMCOR #982450.”