The Foundation for Evangelism is pleased to announce that 19 churches were awarded a grant following the conclusion of the Spring 2025 Thriving Congregations Local Church Cohort. These grant recipients were part of a larger group of 31 churches from 5 Wesleyan-tradition denominations across 21 U.S. states who applied to participate in the Foundation’s training cohorts, made possible through a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.
Participating churches gathered a team including four to six lay leaders and one pastor. These teams then gathered online with teams from other churches around the country who took part in an eight-week cohort experience. Following the completion of the training, churches spent the summer developing and refining an evangelism initiative rooted in the knowledge and skills gained through the cohort sessions.
The churches selected to receive Local Church Cohort grant funding demonstrated that the formation and education provided through the cohort enabled them to discern the needs of their neighbors and respond in meaningful ways, while also inviting members of their communities into life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ.
Congratulations to these churches that were awarded grant funding:
Alabama
- Gurley C.M.E Church – Gurley, Alabama
- Metropolitan United Methodist Church – Montgomery, Alabama
- Jerusalem A.M.E.Z Church – Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Arizona
Cross Roads United Methodist Church – Phoenix, Arizona
Florida
- Emmanuel United Methodist Church – Bradenton, Florida
- St. Paul United Methodist Church – Jacksonville, Florida
Georgia
St. Paul C.M.E Church (Altruistic Servanthood Corp.) – Smyrna, Georgia
Illinois
Ward Chapel A.M.E Church – Peoria, Illinois
Indiana
Gershom C.M.E Church – Indianapolis, Indiana
Louisiana
Ards Chapel A.M.E.Z Church – Amite, Louisiana
Michigan
- St. Paul A.M.E.Z Church – Detroit, Michigan
- Marne United Methodist Church – Marne, Michigan
New York
Fifth Avenue A.M.E.Z Church – Troy, New York
Pennsylvania
Bethel AME Church – Downington, Pennsylvania
Tennessee
- New Greater Bethel A.M.E Church – Jackson, Tennessee
- Glen Alpine United Methodist Church – Kingsport, Tennessee
Texas
First United Methodist Church – Duncanville, Texas
Virginia
Smith Memorial United Methodist Church – Collinsville, Virginia
Wisconsin
Bethel A.M.E Church – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
