About Us

ABOUT US

U.M. ARMY Mission

Provide Christ-centered, quality youth work camps that serve people in need and promote spiritual growth and leadership development in youth.

U.M. ARMY History

U.M. ARMY began in 1979 when 36 youth and adults from Houston area churches decided that rather than go to Tennessee for a mission project, they would save the travel money and spend it working on needs near home. Why? High cost of gas, long lines at gas stations and concerns about whether or not the group could make it there and back caused them to consider building a new ministry right in their own backyard.

Because of the caring hearts of the participants in those first three churches, U.M. ARMY was begun! These churches continued to meet together for several years and along the way invited a few additional churches and growth occurred from 36 to 120 participants by the end of 1981.

Beginning in 1982, U.M. ARMY held two work camps and by 1987 U.M. ARMY had formed a board of directors, and had hired a part time Executive Director, Jeannie Whitehurst. By 1988, U.M. ARMY was hosting five camp with approximately 490 participants. By 1993 the growth saw 13 camps with 1450 volunteers. In 1998 growth had reached new levels with 24 camps hosting 2500 servant leaders extending a helping hand to those in need in local communities throughout the UMC’s Texas Conference.

It was at this time that the Board of Directors took new steps to ensure U.M. ARMY’s growth into the future when what was known as U.M. ARMY was chartered as U.M. ARMY - Texas Conference, and half of the Board of Directors was named U.M. ARMY - National.

Now, more that 30 years later, that first seed of an idea that began in Athens, Texas has grown and produced fruit with over 4000 participants annually working on 1700 worksites! U.M. ARMY is now planting seeds across the country with new chapters in the Southwest Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church, in the Northeast Jurisdiction of the Church and new chapters are being planned in the remaining portion of the South Central Jurisdiction with additional camps being planned in the North Central Jurisdiction with growth planned in coming years in the South East Jurisdiction.

For 30 years, U.M. ARMY has continued to help countless individuals and families in our communities with minor home repairs. U.M. ARMY is committed to helping those in need who have neither the physical nor financial means of doing the work themselves. Just as importantly, U.M. ARMY is committed to providing opportunities for high school youth to grow spiritually and as leaders.

U.M. ARMY Philosophy

Preparation, Safety, Teamwork, Leadership development in teens, Servant - nothing in return, free for client, we pay to offer others what they may not have without us. When we leave - quality of life has been improved. Our work is the vehicle for God’s love to be shared with people, regardless of race, religion or sex.

Work camps provide meaningful opportunities for Christians to put their faith to work. Young people discover the importance of loving with actions, not just words. Participants realize the power of God’s love as they provide practical assistance to their neighbors. Through challenging experiences, young people learn what it means to be a servant.
While time, resources and ability may keep participants from doing all they want for their clients, work teams leave knowing they have brought some improvement along with the message of God’s love to each site. In fact, U.M. ARMY stresses visitation with clients as perhaps the most important aspect of each team’s efforts.