More than a thousand United Methodist churches have begun to "change the world" through radical service this weekend. The April 24-25 initiative is intended to get the nearly 8 million-member denomination out from the pews and into local and global communities where they can make an impact.

"Change the World challenges the people of The United Methodist Church to see the world holistically by giving and serving beyond the four walls of sanctuaries and Sunday school classrooms," said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications. "Our hope is that not only will church members participate, they will invite neighbors in the community to work side-by-side with them to make a sustainable difference in diverse ways."

Many are also engaging in malaria initiatives as the "Change the World" event coincides with World Malaria Day on Sunday. Youth groups across the country are camping out under bed nets to show their commitment to ending malaria deaths in Africa.

Change the World is part of UMC's larger Rethink Church campaign, which was launched a year ago. Rethink Church challenges Christians to be more outwardly focused and engaged in the world and helps them reassess what it means to be people of faith.

"We’ve been trying to rethink church for several years – even before the current campaign started," the Rev. Dan Peil, pastor of Elk City United Methodist Church, Elk City, Okla., told the denomination's news service. "Change the World gives us one more chance to do that."