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BUY A NET, SAVE A LIFE
Delegates to the United Methodist General Conference in Ft. Worth, Texas, saved the lives of more than 50,000 children. On World Malaria Day, April 25, Bishop Thomas Bickerton challenged the 992 delegates to give up their lunch money that day and donate $10 to the Nothing But Nets anti-malaria campaign.
That challenge raised $15,000 and began a bidding war for a basketball signed by the United Methodist Bishops. By the end of the Conference $429,270 in additional funds had been raised.
“Who knew one basketball could save so many lives!” declared Elizabeth McKee Gore of the United Nations Foundation, who in partnership with The United Methodist Church, Sports Illustrated, and other groups are working to stamp out malaria on the continent of Africa!
“Malaria kills one person every 30 seconds on the continent of Africa. That’s tragic, but the larger tragedy is that malaria is preventable,” adds Rev. Greg Stover. “A simple net properly used as a bed canopy can save a family of four from the deadly bite of the mosquito.”
“I think we can and should learn some valuable lessons from the whole campaign. It is a spontaneous, grassroots response to a stated need to make the world a better place,” said Bishop Bickerton, president of United Methodist Communications and spokesperson for Nothing But Nets.
Why did the United Methodist Church get involved with Nets? We have been fighting malaria in Africa for over 100 years. So, it’s a mission consistent with our work for the long term. But, there’s another reason. With churches and ministries spread across significant portions of Africa and relationships with other denominations with churches in Africa, the United Methodist Church is an invaluable partner in developing the distribution system to ensure that the nets get to the people that need them.
The Bill Gates Foundation had pledged to match the highest bid made by a General Conference Delegation. That bid was made with an $80,000 slam-dunk pledge from the West Ohio Annual Conference for which they received the “Bishops’ basketball” and the match offering from The Gates Foundation.
“Dear friends, don’t you love being part of a church that is becoming a global movement for the making of disciples for the transformation of the world?” asked Bishop Ough, as he took the pass from Bickerton and dribbled the autographed ball to the podium.
NOW IT IS OUR TURN!
On Sunday, June 1, our Change the World offering will go to Nothing But Nets and be taken by Lay Delegate Chip Seely to the West Ohio Annual Conference in June to added to the special “Miracle Offering” for Nothing But Nets. Please prayerfully consider what you will give. Let me suggest at least $10 for each member of your family. Give more if you can. Monies to this special offering should be given in addition to, not in place of, your usual Sunday morning tithes and offerings.
Please bring your offering with you on Sunday, June 1. If you will be on vacation that Sunday and unable to be at church, please send your offering labeled Nothing But Nets! to Chris Mills, Jerome UMC Financial Administrator, 10531 Jerome Rd., Plain City, 43064.
Help us have a SLAM DUNK for this mission offering.
Rev. Gloria Brooks
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