Outreach (Missions)

"While some limit the church's mission to evangelism, her more comprehensive task is to be salt and light in the world, encircling lives and lighting the way for those who walk in darkness". [NIV Topical Study Bible]

Avondale Pattillo UMC supports both local, regional, and worldwide mission (evangelism and outreach) activities. We offer many opportunities for service. Some examples ...

DEAM Food Pantry

Church members donate non-perishable food items and funds to the Decatur area Emergency Assistance Ministry organization. DEAM also gives rental and utility assistance.

Decatur Cooperative Ministry (DCM)

Our church is a participating member of the interdenominational DCM. DCM is a faith-based cooperative providing a range of services for homeless and at-risk families to help them become self-sufficient. DCM also gives rental and utility assistance. We have supported Hagar's House for years. Church members also contribute clothes when called upon by DCM.

Mission trips

Teams from Avondale Pattillo have helped with construction and landscaping near the Hinton Rural Life Center, Hayesville, NC, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina about eight miles north of Georgia.

Operation Christmas Child (Shoebox Ministry)

We have participated in providing decorated shoeboxes with items for this outreach and evangelism effort by Samaritan's Purse.

Refugee family support

We provide a Family Center room for support of refugee families in the area. We have also provided separate support to a specific refugee family.

Sock It To Me!

Avondale Pattillo supports the Sock It To Me! ministry begun by a member of our congregation. This mission effort distributes socks directly to the homeless in downtown Atlanta. This community service was the subject of news stories by two local television stations in 2003.

Warm-Up Sunday

We support the annual Warm-Up Sunday in October by providing new or gently used garments such as jackets.

United Methodist Children's Home

Children's Home residents receiving our financial support.
More about the UM Children's Home...

A Habitat for Humanity House we helped biuld Habitat for Humanity

Our church has participated in this excellent ministry, along with other local organizations and companies. Habitat for Humanity is heavily supported by former President and Georgian Jimmy Carter.

Disaster relief funds, goods

Our Church takes special collections of funds for disasters, both at home and abroad. These funds support the victims of such disasters as tornados, hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes. Other local family disasters (fire, for example) also bring out the generosity of our members.

Support of Missionaries

DR Congo - UMC mission We support the United Methodist General Board of Missions by contributions. These funds support Methodist missionaries worldwide.

We also directly support mission efforts by the Persons family, at the Mulungwishi mission station in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa. Mulungwishi inclludes a Methodist University, a Seminary, a Women's School, a High School and more.

We also provide Web site support for the Mulungwishi mission station, including the Methodist seminary (School of Theology) at Katanga Methodist University (KMU), a blog, and a Mulungwishi photo album.

You can learn more about their work at the Methodist Missions - Mulungwishi web site and their Congo Missions - Mulungwishi blog.

Advance giving for David Persons (partial)
Latest Photos from David & Lori - slideshow
"A Day of Life in Mulungwishi", by David & Lori Persons
Methodist Seminary
Bishop's Initiative Launches DR Congo School (UM News)
A two-campus school in the Democratic Republic of Congo was the first to become fully operational under the Council of Bishop’s initiative, “Hope for the Children of Africa.” Read the full story ...

International Community School

We have worked closely with the ICS Community (charter) school since its startup in 2002. We continue to support its students and staff with annual donations of items such as clothing, books, and school suplies. ICS uses parts of our facility as well as having temporary buildings on our grounds.