Fighting Malaria, a disease that is preventable, is the aim of The United Methodist Church.  The Dakotas Conference is working hard to make a contribution to the fight. A Miracle Offering will be collected at the 2015 Annual Conference June 4-6, 2015 in Fargo, North Dakota. "If each church brings $500 we will meet our goal of $100,000," said Bishop Bruce R. Ough, Dakotas-Minnesota Area.  

Malaria is preventable, but infects nearly 500 million people each year and kills more than one million of those who become infected. Ninety percent of deaths caused by malaria occur in Africa where the disease is a leading killer of children. Every 60 seconds a child dies from malaria. Children who are able to survive the disease are faced with physical and mental impairments, such as poor growth and development. Moreover, every day 25 million pregnant African women risk severe illness and harm to their unborn children from a malaria infection.Malaria contributes to low birth weight among newborn infants, one of the leading risk factors for infant mortality.

What could one person or one church do?

Just $10 provides two full rounds of malaria medication.  The Dakotas Conference has set a goal of $100,000, to be collected at the Miracle Offering during worship on June 5 2015.  "If every church brings $500 we will meet our goal," said Bishop Bruce R. Ough.

Plan an event in the next 40 days to raise funds to make this miracle happen.  Events can be big, small and full of fun.  Here is a list of ideas for churches to consider:

• Pancake breakfast

• Lemonade stand

• Collect change in change boxes order them here

• 5K walk or run

Even more important take time to educate those in your worshipping community about the need to stop this disease.  Here are some resources:

• Video

• Worship resources

• Bulletin insert black and white

• Bulletin insert color

• Infomational flier

Be part of the big finish

United Methodists efforts may have started with sending nets, but they do not stop there. In addition to preventing malaria with bed nets, eliminating deaths caused by this disease will require educating communities and health care workers, developing health care infrastructure and making advancements in health care communications.

Imagine No Malaria is near its goal of raising $75 million for the battle against malaria by General Conference 2016. The Dakotas Conference has set a goal to raise $100,000 at Annual Conference.  Bring change and help us finish strong.