Rev. Amanda Banda

Director of Communications, Rio Texas Conference

A world-wide United Methodist movement—and a moment for the Rio Texas Conference to join together.

This spring, congregations across the Rio Texas Conference are invited to join United Methodists around the world in a shared six-week emphasis rooted in our common mission and shared future.

The Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, Lead Courageously & Miracle Sunday Initiative brings together more than 30,000 congregations worldwide to strengthen theological education beyond the United States—equipping pastors, forming disciples, and renewing our connection as the United Methodist Church.

For Rio Texas, this initiative marks a meaningful moment: a chance to celebrate who we are, reconnect with the wider church, and participate together in something bigger than any one congregation.

Why This Matters

Across the United Methodist Church, the call to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world is alive and growing—especially outside the United States. Yet access to theological education is not equal across the global church.

In the U.S., most clergy are supported by well-resourced seminaries and established systems of formation. In many parts of Africa, Europe, and the Philippines, pastors are faithfully serving growing congregations with limited access to formal theological education, scholarships, and contextual resources.

The Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, Lead Courageously & Miracle Sunday Initiative exists to help close that gap by strengthening The Endowment for Theological Education Outside the U.S., supporting the preparation of 500 additional pastors each year.

Click image to download a pdf of this infographic.

For the Rio Texas Conference, this initiative comes at a meaningful time.

After seasons shaped by pandemic, disaffiliation, and disruption, this is one of the first church-wide, connectional invitations we are extending together as a renewed United Methodist Church. It is an opportunity not only to give, but to remember who we are—and what it means to belong to a global communion of faith.

This effort is not about pressure or comparison. It is about participation: joining thousands of congregations worldwide in a shared act of generosity, prayer, and discipleship—each in ways that fit their local context.

This is a moment to celebrate our connection—and to invest in the leaders God is raising up around the world.

What Churches Are Being Asked to Do

There is no single required format for participating in this initiative. Congregations are encouraged to engage in ways that fit their worship life, capacity, and context.

What matters most is that churches:

Name the initiative
Share the why behind it
Join the global church in prayer and generosity

All Rio Texas congregations are invited to:

Set aside the six weeks following Easter 2026 (April 12–May 17)
Share the story of the Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, Lead Courageously initiative during that season
Receive a special offering on Miracle Sunday (May 17, 2026) in support of theological education outside the United States

How you do that is intentionally flexible.

Flexible Ways to Participate

There is no single required format for participating in this initiative. Congregations are encouraged to engage in ways that fit their worship life, capacity, and context.

To help with planning, we’ve prepared a short guide outlining several faithful ways churches of all sizes can participate.

👉 Download: Flexible Ways to Participate (PDF)

Giving & Miracle Sunday

The six-week emphasis culminates on Miracle Sunday (May 17, 2026), when congregations across the United Methodist Church will receive a special offering in support of theological education outside the United States.

Gifts are made directly to The Endowment for Theological Education in the Central Conferences through their secure giving platform. This ensures transparency, shared accountability, and alignment with the global church.

give online

The following is a giving card that can be used for fundraising efforts to support this miracle initative.

Miracle Sunday Giving Card PDF

Resources & Downloads

Everything you need to plan and participate.

Materials are designed to support congregations of all sizes and to offer flexibility in how this initiative is shared and lived out locally.

Please use what is helpful for your context.

Planning & Implementation

👉 Flexible Ways to Participate (PDF)
A guide outlining several faithful ways churches can engage with the initiative, based on worship rhythms, capacity, and context.

👉 Timeline at a Glance (PDF)
Key dates for the six-week emphasis and Miracle Sunday.

Worship & Communication Resources

👉 Sample Worship Language & Announcements (PDF)
Suggested language for introducing the initiative in worship, newsletters, or bulletins.

👉 Graphics & Slides (ZIP / Folder)
Downloadable slides and images for screens, bulletins, and social media.
(Coming soon)

👉 Videos & Stories from the Global Church
Short videos highlighting the impact of theological education outside the U.S. (Coming soon)

Leadership & Background

👉 Bishop Harvey’s Letter to Clergy (PDF)
An invitation to congregations across the Rio Texas Conference to participate in this global initiative.

👉 Global Initiative Overview (PDF)
A brief snapshot of the Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, Lead Courageously & Miracle Sunday Initiative.

Giving & Offering Resources

👉 Giving Instructions for Miracle Sunday (PDF)
Clear guidance for online giving and mailing checks directly to the Endowment.

Need help?

If you have questions or would like support as you plan, please reach out to your District Coordinator or Conference Coordinator below. They are available to help you think through next steps, access resources, and adapt this initiative to your congregation’s context.

Leadership & Connectional Support

This initiative is being led across the Rio Texas Conference in partnership with episcopal, conference, and district leadership to ensure congregations are supported every step of the way.

Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey first introduced the Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, Lead Courageously & Miracle Sunday Initiative to clergy and pastoral leaders on November 14, 2025, inviting every congregation to join this global effort of generosity, discipleship, and connection.

To support this work across the conference, Bishop Harvey has named Byrd L. Bonner to serve as Conference Coordinator. Byrd works alongside District Coordinators to share resources, coordinate communication, and support congregations as they discern how best to participate.