United Methodist churches are bound together by a common mission and common governance that accomplish reaching out into the world. United Methodist churches and organizations join in mission with each other and with other denominations.

The General Board of Global Ministries is the global mission agency of The United Methodist Church, its annual conferences, missionary conferences, and local congregations. The work of mission in virtually any context involves relationships– interactions in the name of Jesus Christ between and among persons and organizations.

The United Methodist Church is concentrating its resources, creativity, and programs around four specific areas of focus within the church and the world. Uniting our efforts around these four related areas is critical to the church’s mission of making disciples of Christ for the transformation of the world.

Ministry with the Poor
Global Ministries is working to understand and combat the causes of poverty through socio-political and economic research, advocacy, and action.

Global Health
By equipping and supporting medical missionaries, local doctors, and community health programs, Global Ministries is working to increase the ability of all people to have access to primary healthcare around the world.

Congregational Development
Global Ministries is committed to planting 400 new churches and worship communities outside the US, primarily through recent mission initiatives in Africa, Asia, Central America, and Eastern Europe.

Leadership Development
Global Ministries is working to cultivate new church leaders and strengthen those in place to ensure a growing and vibrant church throughout the world.
UMCOR

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is the not-for-profit global humanitarian aid organization of the United Methodist Church. UMCOR is working in more than 80 countries worldwide, including the United States. Our mission, grounded in the teachings of Jesus, is to alleviate human suffering—whether caused by war, conflict or natural disaster, with open hearts and minds to all people.
The Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church

In the United Methodist Church, the annual conference serves as the “basic unit” of the church. The United States has 63 annual conferences, supervised by 50 bishops. There are 59 annual conferences in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines, which are supervised by 18 bishops. In the U.S., an annual conference may cover an entire state, only part of the state, or even parts of two or more states.

The Northern Illinois Conference includes more than 370 churches and 30 missions–new faith communities that we hope will grow into new churches. Our conference is led by Bishop Hee-Soo Jung.