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 […]
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 […]
Spring Cohort Concludes with 19 Churches Awarded Evangelism Grant
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 […]
Week Four – LOVE
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16) While attending a Wesleyan Theology class at United Theological Seminary (UTS), a student was so moved, they wrote a letter to their child about their spiritual journey: […]
Local Church Cohort Includes Deaf Church in Evangelism Training
Rev. Dr. Tom Hudspeth and his church members are used to navigating a world made for hearing people. They are part of SEEDS (Serving Educating Evangelizing Deaf Seekers) Deaf Mission Church UMC, a new congregation born out of a 25-year ministry and fellowship for d/Deaf individuals at Lovers Lane and Walnut Hill United Methodist Churches […]
Student and Father’s Ministry Enlivened by Evangelism Course
A required course in evangelism for a student at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, has sparked a dialogue not only with his peers but with his father! Sam is from Chennai, India, and is studying in the U.S. for his ministry degree. In a video he recorded for The Foundation for Evangelism, he shared […]
A Strong Youth Ministry in Every Congregation
The Estoninan Methodist Church Continues to Enhance and Grow its Youth Ministry Across the Denomination By Bonnie Hollabaugh In late July this year, Jack, Heather, and I visited the Estonian Methodist Church to talk with the director of youth ministries, Urmas Sassian, and district superintendent, Rev. Robert Tserenkov. The very first So That The World […]
A New Lease on Life for the Formerly Incarcerated
How one local church grant has helped break chains and rebuild lives Smith Metro A.M.E. Zion Church in Anniston, Ala., has been the hub of their community for 117 years. Its membership were active participants in the Civil Rights Movement in Calhoun County, and they continue to care for the vulnerable. They live out their […]