From left to Right: Scott Grotewold, West Steel, Bishop Julius Trimble, Lisa Larson and Jane Wood

Collegiate United Methodist Church received The Foundation for Evangelism’s 2011 Culture of the Call Church Award on June 5, 2011 during a special presentation at the Iowa Annual Conference. Collegiate, located in Ames, was recognized for its outstanding record for helping young people affiliated with the church to answer the call to fulltime Christian service. In the last 15 years, Collegiate has nurtured 21 young people as they answered God’s call on their lives.

“In the 95 years of its existence, over 100 persons have entered fulltime Christian service after their involvement with Collegiate,” reported Rev. W. Scott Grotewold, Senior Pastor. On the dais, accepting the award in addition to Rev. Grotewold and Bishop Julius Trimble were Lisa Larson and West Steel, representing young leaders encouraged by this congregation.

Jane Boatwright Wood, Interim Executive Director, stated, “Following the announcement of the award to the congregation, three families came forward to say my son or daughter is among those entering into ministry. Clearly, the culture of this church is focused on identifying and nurturing generations of leaders.”

The Culture of the Call Church Award is presented annually to one United Methodist Church with a history of having people 35 of younger respond to God’s call to fulltime Christian service as a result of their being active in the life of the church. An affiliate of the General Board of Discipleship, The Foundation for Evangelism is a not-for-profit foundation focusing on providing resources for the development of leaders with a passion for evangelism who will have a multiplying impact on the United Methodist Church.