A Catalyst for Evangelism for 3/4 of a Century

Our work has always focused on strengthening leaders, laity and congregations to be resilient faith communities sharing the Gospel and inviting others into the Body of Christ. For 3/4 of a century, The Foundation for Evangelism has been guided by ONE salutary assumption: The Church is God’s primary vessel for offering abundant life to all creation. Our work to help the Wesleyan-tradition church retain and act upon its zeal for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ has involved countless hours of resourcing, relationship-building and combined grant awards of more than $17 million.

Important Dates in the Foundation's History

January 31, 1949

1954

1979

1984

1987

2000

2003

June, 2022

Chartered

The founders included Dr. Harry Denman, the General Secretary of The Methodist Church's Board of Evangelism, and a dedicated group of elected members of the board who wanted to support evangelism ministries within denomination directly. It was established to "disburse the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

Our History

"Chairs of Evangelism" Idea is Born

In 1954 Mr. Sollie McCreless, president of the Foundation, promised a gift to establish "Chairs of Evangelism" at Asbury Seminary and Perkins School of Theology at SMU. Plans to fill those chairs were realized around 1956.

Denman Evangelism Awards Established

Named for our founder, Dr. Harry Denman, these awards honors United Methodists in each annual conference whose exceptional ministry of evangelism – expressed in Word (what), Sign (why), and Deed (how) – brings people into a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ.

E. Stanley Jones Professors of Evangelism Established

Through the work of Dr. Charles Kinder, then president of the Foundation, and donors such as Bob Miller and Mrs. Eunice Matthews (granddaughter of evangelist E. Stanley Jones), the first E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism was established at Boston University School of Theology.

Offices Moved to Lake Junaluska

With consideration to rising real estate prices in Nashville, Tenn., and proximity to the United Methodist Church's Southeastern Jurisdicational offices, the Foundation's headquarters were moved to Lake Junaluska, N.C.

Evangelism Course Required for UM Clergy

The 2000 General Conference of The United Methodist Church recognized the critical teaching of the professors of evangelism by requiring a course in evangelism for all United Methodist candidates to ordained ministry.

E. Stanley Jones Professors Endowment

After almost 50 years keeping the vision alive, in late 2003 the Foundation announced that an endowment had been established for the E. Stanley Jones Professors of Evangelism at Methodist-related seminaries.

First Equipping the Local Church Grants Awarded

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A Clear Mission & Vision

The Foundation for Evangelism is the only foundation whose sole work is:

Promoting, encouraging and providing resources for Wesleyan evangelism, inviting all people in life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ

We work with Wesleyan-tradition churches and organizations to fulfill our vision:

We are a CATALYST to equip disciples to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

"I believe in what the Foundation is doing to help Christian disciples share their faith and work together as the Body of Christ. I have seen and experienced first-hand how the Foundation is a catalyst that brings together gospel leaders, lay persons, and congregations so that they can be and do so much more than they could on their own." Dan Henry Foundation Trustee Since 2017

Dan Henry

Foundation Trustee Since 2017

Your Partner in Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ for 75 Years!

Help us match your philanthropic goals with our grants and resources to make a lasting impact in the Methodist-Wesleyan evangelism movement.

Make A Gift

A Look Ahead to the Next 25 Years

Expanding the Resources and Reach of Gospel Leaders

utilizing thought-leaders and practitioners in Wesleyan evangelism.

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Engaging the Ministry of the Laity

to find their VOICE,
SHARE their faith, and
INVITE others to the Christian Journey.

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Equipping the Local Church

through grants and partnerships to enable experiments and new initiatives in local church evangelism.

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Voices That Inspire Us

Hear historic, present-day, and up-and-coming voices on evangelism in the Methodist-Wesleyan tradition that inspire disciples to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

75th Anniversary Commemorative Booklet

Download our 75th Annnivesary Commemorative booklet with stories of impact, historical moments, and vision for the future.

Download2 MB