Compassion
Compassion Ministries
The church exists to serve others. All of the things that we do in worship, small groups, study and other activities are designed to prepare us for ministry to our community and the world. Below is a sample of the Compassion Ministries of Light of the Canyon United Methodist Church. The Compassion Ministries Team coordinates the various activities listed below. However, all people are welcome and encouraged to participate. If you are interested in any particular ministry, or have questions, please feel free to contact the church office at (714) 283-4633.
Mexicali Mission
Light of the Canyon has a covenant relationship with a church in Mexicali Mexico. We send work teams down to the mission several times a year. We work on various projects when we visit. We have built the “Steven O. Parrish Community Center” for the people in the colonia, as well as performed repairs on the local 
church. We work with the children in the community on arts and Christian education projects. We bring down donations of much-needed items. We basically do whatever is needed. It is a wonderful time and all are welcome to participate.
Canned Food Drives
Light of the Canyon has partnered with Purple Ark Ministries to provide food and assistance to the working poor in Orange County. We conduct frequent canned food drives to benefit this ministry.
Eli Home
Light of the Canyon’s United Methodist Women have created a liaison program with The Eli Home .The Eli Home’s mission is to welcome, shelter, comfort, heal, encourage and strengthen mothers and their children who are victims of abuse and neglect, and to prepare them to re-enter the community to lead stable, non-violent lives, free from fear and intimidation. UMW provides gifts and necessities specifically to the Moms on a monthly basis. These women leave dangerous and unhealthy relationships and come to the Eli Home with nothing but their children. They need the very basic everything items, as well as some special “feel good” gifts to help them start over. Many benefactors donate gifts and money for the children, but the mothers often go without. As a women’s organization, UMW’s goal is to ensure they too know that they are loved and that God has not forgotten them. Hopefully, we can be a small conduit of that love.
Special Olympics
"The Crew" at the 2008 Fall Games
In 2008, Light of the Canyon began a relationship with the Special Olympics. At the different events that take place during the year, LOTC sends a group of volunteers to work at a particular venue. This is often times a more inspiring experience for the volunteers than for the athletes themselves. The experience is always full of joy and hope. We are doing something very special to support Special Olympics during Christmas. Shop to Help Special Olympics Southern California
Light of the Canyon’s Compassion Ministry Team has adopted Special Olympics Southern California as one of the charities we help in our local community. Many church members have volunteered to help at athletic events, and there’s another way you can help year-round. If you shop Nordstrom, Target, Home Depot, Macys, Amazon or many or retailers online, please follow this link and select the retailer you want. For every purchase you make, the retailer with make a donation to Special Olympics Southern California – all at no cost to you. But you must start at this link first to ensure the donation goes to Special Olympics.
Other Compassion Ministries
In addition to all of these ministries, Light of the Canyon is involved in a number of unique projects. We have a relationship with Heifer Project, have been involved in the campaign to end slavery and human trafficking in the world, among a variety of other projects. Many people from LOTC also have made a commitment to “adopt” a child in a third world country. If you are interested in sharing your resources in this way, follow this link to Compassion International.
