Ministry of the Laity

Laity have always played a critical role in evangelism. Often, they are one of a handful of disciples in networks of friends, family, coworkers and neighbors.

A lay person’s witness to and modeling of the life of faith may be the only example a non-Christian will experience. Yet many lay people feel unqualified to share their faith. The Foundation for Evangelism provides resources to help laity articulate and embody how the Spirit has worked in their life so they are able to tell their story and invite others to become Jesus’ disciples.

The Foundation for Evangelism launched the Laity Evangelism Award in 2025, continuing a 45-year tradition of honoring lay persons with exceptional evangelistic ministries that bring people into a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. Rev. Dr. Jack Jackson, president, stated, “We give thanks for the group of dedicated lay people who began the organization, and celebrate that training lay persons to share their faith remains one of the three primary grant foci for the Foundation’s work. Indeed, much of the Foundation’s work these past 75 years has revolved on the central role of laity in evangelism. For this reason the Foundation has decided to reimagine its award program to focus on laity while also welcoming recipients from denominations in the wider Wesleyan tradition.”

Rev. Dr. Heather Lear shared, “For the last 15 years The Foundation for Evangelism has expanded to welcome and partner with the larger pan-Wesleyan/Methodist family of denominations. We want this award to celebrate the inspirational and transformational ministry of lay people of all ages who have a passion for evangelism and are in their community participating in and sharing God’s abundant life.”

Nominations for The Foundation for Evangelism Laity Award are received by denominational regional bodies (annual conference, district, episcopal area, etc.) with one individual selected per area. The award is presented jointly by the denomination’s regional body and The Foundation for Evangelism at a time chosen by the regional body. Following the selection of award recipients, up to 12 awardees from across all denominations will be chosen to receive a grant toward their evangelism ministry.

For more information about this award or for regional bodies who need to download the nomination packet, visit FoundationForEvangelism.org/laity-evangelism-award.