From Faith Stories to Community Impact
Churches Embark on Evangelism Training As the group gathered online, Terri Farmer (facilitator and The Foundation for Evangelism’s grants coordinator) greeted attendees from the 11 churches as lively music played in the background. The Fall Faith-Sharing Congregations Training (formerly Thriving Congregations Local Church Cohorts) began on September 10, giving these churches an 8-week intensive training […]
17 Equipping the Local Church Grants Awarded in 2026
In June The Foundation for Evangelism awarded 17 grants to small or medium-sized Wesleyan-tradition* churches or church-based organizations. A total of $112,500 was distributed through $5,000, $7,500, and $10,000 grants. The recipients are from 7 Wesleyan-tradition denominations across 11 states: The Foundation for Evangelism’s Equipping the Local Church Grants support local churches with up to […]
Hope and New Life for Youth on the Margins
When Miami, Oklahoma’s, New Life Church of the Nazarene welcomed their new pastor, Matthew Lee, in 2024, he admits he brought along a heart for youth ministry. Having served over 20 years as a youth pastor, he stood outside the church, looked across the street to the junior and senior high schools, and asked his […]
Evangelism Professors Lead the Way
The role of E. Stanley Jones Professors of Evangelism has, for over four decades, been an important part of the formation of seminarians called to Christian leadership in Wesleyan-tradition denominations. As these leaders are formed, they need both theological grounding and practical know-how to infuse evangelism into their own ministry practice and congregational life. Many […]
Cohort Grants Are a Lifeline for Churches
Barby Bowser, Communications director, recently sat in on one of the check-ins with 2025 Local Church Cohort grant recipients. “You threw us a lifeline – we really needed it!” This was just one comment during a recent check-in with seven churches who had been part of the Thriving Congregations Local Church Cohorts. These churches received […]
Evangelism is Essential to the Church’s Identity
Do you hate losing things? For the Revd. Dr. Quavon Z. Newton, it’s a perennial issue, one that disrupts the routine. He confessed this to the students, faculty and guests at the 2026 Wallace Chappell Lecture, and a glance around The Aymer Auditorium at Hood Theological Seminary confirmed that they could relate. But as much […]
Planting Seeds of Faith – Pass it on – Week 5
Pass it On By Jack Jackson, President In John 17:25–26 Jesus says something profound: “I have made you known to them.” The Christian faith is not inherited; it is revealed, shared, and embraced. Someone, somewhere, helped us see who God is. And while becoming a Christian has always consisted of more than a simple intellectual commitment, it […]
Planting Seeds of Faith – Growing in Faith – Week 4
Growing In Faith By Barby Bowser, Communications “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18 Jesus often used parables and language related to gardening or farming – faith the size of a mustard seed, a farmer sowing […]
Planting Seeds of Faith – Sowing Seeds for the Kingdom – Week 3
Sowing Seeds for the Kingdom By Bonnie Hollabaugh, Vice President for Development Last week, I attended the retirement celebration of a beloved mentor—someone who has faithfully poured into others for decades. As I listened to countless stories of lives touched and hearts changed, I realized she plants seeds for the Kingdom everywhere she goes. Sitting […]
Laity Evangelism Award Recipient Shares the Gospel One Meal at a Time
Many of the pastors and laity in the Holston Conference know Annette Spence as a writer and reporter for The Call, Holston’s news publication. Her gifted reporting and storytelling have inspired many in the conference who say that her faith informs her work as a journalist. Those who have worked closely with Annette, either professionally […]