COVID Pastoral Support Supplement

2020 was a difficult year for many pastors in Mozambique. Church doors closed due to health and safety concerns, and church finances were impacted. For many pastors, personal resources were depleted. Unfortunately, 2021 is not off to a better start. The Mozambican government closed churches, schools and non-essential businesses early in the year in an effort to stop the spread of the South African variant of the Coronavirus. 

“For many pastors it remains a difficult situation. There are no worship services and limited work opportunities. Those with work see their salaries cut due to low economies,” writes Ezequiel Nhantumbo, the Mozambique Initiative representative in Mozambique. “Mobility is limited as people search for something to feed their own families. Less or no yields from family gardens are contributing to smaller local contributions to churches and for pastors.” 

Many churches in Missouri annually give $990 in recognition of their partnership with a sister church in Mozambique. This money is used to help support the salaries of pastors in-need in Mozambique. Your commitment to these partnerships helped in this trying time in 2020. However, Rev. Filimao Vilanculos, the Conference treasurer, is all too familiar with the dramatic situations faced by many pastors. Relief isn’t on the horizon: The government announced in early March that churches will be closed for at least another 30 days. 

In an effort to supplement the annual pastoral support given through MI, we're raising funds to help provide for pastors in-need. This request comes with no goal. Rather we are asking individuals and churches to consider giving to these UMC pastors. These are difficult times, and respite from COVID-19 will be slow to come to Mozambique. We continue to pray for the church and look for places to help along the way.