U.M. Army, or United Mission Action Reach-out Mission by Youth, works on Christ-centered missions that serve people in need, promoting spiritual growth and leadership development in youth and young adults. In 2023, U.M. ARMY will celebrate 45 years in ministry! It began in 1979, when 36 youth and adults from three Houston churches held the first U.M. ARMY mission week in Athens, TX. Since that time, the organization has grown to over 60 programs nationally each year.
Responding to the needs of our neighbors is U.M. Army's primary missional focus, but they also provide an opportunity for youth and adults to experience Christian growth through service to others. Participants combine their strengths and resources to meet home repair and maintenance needs for low-income, elderly, and disabled homeowners who are physically or financially unable to make needed repairs themselves.
In most areas, local churches host U.M. Army mission programs. Participants eat, sleep, enjoy fellowship, and worship at host locations. They are divided into work teams of four to six youths with adult support for the week's work. U.M. ARMY requires that church groups bring two adults for every five youths. Preparation, safety, and teamwork are priorities for all participants.
The U.M. ARMY youth and adults typically work together on small construction projects such as porches, stairs, and handicap access ramps. Teams also do various home maintenance such as handrails, yard work, painting, and repairs of leaky roofs, windows, and doors. Clients in need are referred through local social service agencies and church organizations. Jobs are selected and completed based on the greatest needs within the trip destination community.
At the recent U.M. Army gathering at AHUMC, which happened July 16-21, 2023, there were participants from:
Fredericksburg UMC
LaGrange Methodist Church
Wimberly UMC
Northwest Hills Austin UMC
Manchaca UMC
Plano UMC
Gainesville UMC
We were honored to host 90 student and adult participants on our campus, and we hope to be a host for future gatherings!
Learn more about U.M. Army here.
