How Imagine No Malaria can help your church

Imagine No Malaria launched in 2009 as a worldwide effort of the people of The United Methodist Church to raise $75 million to end suffering and death from malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. In the years since, the more than $65 million already raised has contributed to:

Cutting the death rate in half
Distributing more than 2.3 million insecticide-treated bed nets
Developing 16 health boards in 13 countries
Establishing more than 300 clinics where malaria can be diagnosed and treated.

Imagine No Malaria is making a difference in the lives of African children and pregnant women who are most vulnerable to the disease. And, it is aiding local congregations who have become part of the effort.

If your church has not yet become a part of Imagine No Malaria, consider doing so this Advent. Here’s some of what you will gain as you give.

Involved people: When people have a good idea about raising money and awareness and help to make it happen, they are empowered for leadership. Anyone can be equipped to preach and teach about Imagine No Malaria.
Inspired children and youth: Children often understand faster than adults do. When they hear that children on the other side of the world are dying from mosquito bites and we know how to stop it, they want to help. Finding resources is easy. Click the “resources” tab on www.imaginenomalaria.org and filter by audience for children and youth.
Broad appeal: Even people who rarely or never attend church like Imagine No Malaria. Many young adults want to engage in global humanitarian work. When you invite your neighborhood to imagine a world with no malaria, it unites people, and your church makes a positive impression.
Help answering the call to ministry with the poor and the sick: Malaria affects mostly poor people and keeps them poor. This is a justice issue. Check out the Malaria 101 kit at www.imaginenomalaria.org/resources.
Your church connected with United Methodists all over the world: Our global church is taking on malaria. Raising money and awareness for Imagine No Malaria plugs people into the connectional system.
Fun! You never know what God will use to raise money for Imagine No Malaria. Doing something off-the-wall will make people sit up and take notice and generate energy for your church’s work. When you envision how you can get involved, be creative! Get inspired at www.greaternw.org/inm/ideas.

Adapted from an article at www.greaternw.org/inm by Julia Frisbie, Imagine No Malaria field coordinator, Greater Northwest Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church.