Making a Difference
/by Rev. Eric Folkerth
There’s a powerful confluence roiling in my mind today between Methodist mission work, scientific breakthroughs announced this week, and our band’s show on Saturday.
Sound like a bizarre connection? Read on.
First, a final reminder about the Connections show on Saturday (October 9) at Kessler Park. Downbeat, 3:30. Bring your own chair and food/beverage of your choice. The weather should be about perfect and you won’t want to miss it.
Secondly, I direct your attention to some remarkable medical news concerning Malaria that broke yesterday...and warmed my heart.
Scientists are announcing the development of a "Malaria vaccine." Called Mosquirix, it could well be a future game-changer in the fight against Malaria.
Why am I bringing this up?
Because for the vast majority of our time as a band, fighting Malaria was one of our primary missions. (As you may recall, we always raise a “love offering” in our shows.)
We did this because almost two decades ago now, the United Methodist Church made a commitment to be part of the eradication of Malaria from the planet. Kessler Park has been a part of this effort over the years as well.
Over the past few decades, United Methodist congregations raised millions of dollars; first through a program called "Nothing But Nets," and later through "Imagine No Malaria.”
Our denomination partnered with huge NGOs (Like the NBA and Gates Foundation) and funding sources to make Malaria prevention and eradication a reality. It was a team effort between science, faith, and other non-profits. Because, friends, even in a time of global COVID pandemic, Malaria remains a huge killer of mostly African children.
Arguably, this mission effort by the United Methodist Church is one of the single best, and most unifying, things our denomination ever did.
As I said, Connections jumped on the cause. Many of our early Connections shows raised money for this cause. Just before we'd "pass the hat," we'd show short videos to inspire the donors.
Over the years, our little band raised close to $130,000 for the fight to eradicate Malaria. That translates into roughly 13,000 lives saved through the use of bed nets.
Bed nets are closely analogous to masks in our present-day fight against COVID. Yes, vaccines are the game changer. But bed nets, like masks, save lives.
As in our day with COVID, science always told us a Malaria vaccine would be the "game changer.” Friends, it appears that day is dawning with this announcement about Mosquirix.
And while new vaccines are never perfect (It’s like the release of your new iPhone…)
what I want you to pay attention to today is: the long game.
The fact that a 20-year intentional battle is yielding real results. It could be that very soon Malaria no longer kills innocent African children as it does today.
If you celebrated the announcement of the COVID vaccine, I hope you will do two things:
1. Celebrate, just as strongly, this amazing scientific breakthrough.
2. Celebrate with our band, and with OUR KPUMC efforts, as we look back in justifiable pride, for our small part in this long-haul fight to eradicate Malaria.
It serves as an important reminder of a lot of things all at once…
…That people of faith, churches and denominations can work with other non-faith-based NGOs and with scientists to make the world a better place. In fact, to really make a difference on the world’s truly intractable problems, it takes all those groups working together.
Sunday we will hear from Wes and Leah Magruder about their work as missionaries in Africa. We support their work through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).
You probably know UMCOR best because of natural disasters like tornadoes and hurricanes. After these things happen, we put out the word to raise funds for our UMCOR projects…and they make a tangible difference in emergency situations.
But UMCOR also helps us with these “long-haul” missions too…
Like a 20-year fight against Malaria…
Like funding for the important work of Wes and Leah Magruder…
For all that’s wrong with the United Methodist Church —and it’s a long list, of course— UMCOR is a shining star, as are our efforts to eradicate Malaria.
Celebrate with us, friends. Because YOU and your giving —not just this year, but over decades— is truly helping solve some of the world’s most insolvable problems….and making God’s beautiful earth a better place for all God’s children.
Hope to see you Saturday at the concert and Sunday on the lawn.
Grace and Peace,
Eric Folkerth