Deaconess Melba McCallum knows the power of caring Christians working together. Troubled by the issues of poverty in her community of Laurinburg, North Carolina, and the need to prepare young people for a bright future, McCallum was called to action. She began to build partnerships with local clergy, laypeople and community leaders.

 In 2007, Partners in Ministry was born in her living room and is now a thriving and growing ministry. “Our purpose is to coordinate efforts that respond to the social problems of poverty, dependency and community deterioration through capacity building, empowerment and leadership development,” said McCallum, executive director of Partners in Ministry. “I came from working in community college administration, and I was shocked how many students couldn’t handle the courses. I knew we needed to start kids early on a clear path.” 

In March 2019, Partners In Ministry became United Methodist Women’s newest national mission institution, the first in the North Carolina Conference. I recently got to visit and celebrate the new partner in mission.