Sending Forth is the team that leads our congregation in the outreach ministries of evangelism and missions. Our goal is to respond faithfully to the teaching of Jesus in the Great Commission recorded in Matthew 28:19-20: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Our passion is to be responsive to needs of "the least of these" (Matthew 25:40), those who are hungry, thirsty, homeless, sick, or poor.

Our commitment is expressed through our 100% payment of what we United Methodists call apportionments-missional giving to the ministries of United Methodists in the state, nation, and around the world. Additionally we at St. Mark commit 10% of our total annual income to support nineteen other identified missions which include such ministries as Salkehatchie Summer Service, United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM), Greenwood United Ministries, Faith Home, Soup Kitchen, and missionary support.

Read a report from an UMVIM team visiting Haiti soon after the earthquake. Photos from this team are available in the photo gallery.

St. Mark responded to the call for assistance by packing and sending 358 health kits to UMCOR to be used for Kaiti relief efforts. The kits were brought to the altar on Sunday, February 14, during all three worship services and then packed for shipment on Monday, February 15. Photos are available in the photo gallery.

As part of our mission support, St. Mark has pledged support to Matt Williams and his work with Campus Crusade for Christ.

You can also keep up with Matt by reading his blog, Livin' the Dream.

To volunteer at the Food Bank, call 227-1556 during the operating hours of 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. You may also contact them by email at Grnwdfoodbank1@nctv.com.Photos of the new location are available in the Photo Gallery.

Items needed are Peas (blackeyed, green sweet), carrots, greens, pork and beans, potatoes, yams, canned meats, stews, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, macaroni and cheese, juice, soups (vegetable, tomato), peanut butter, jelly, jam, canned fruits: peaches, pears, apple sauce, pineapple, Mandarin oranges, oil, flour (2 lb. bags), rice, Jiffy mix, flaked potatoes, sugar (2 lb. bag), egg noodles, pasta (spaghetti, etc.), dried milk, grits.