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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Pivoting Through the Storm
Churches in hurricane-torn area pivot evangelism efforts to support their community It’s not uncommon for recipients of Equipping the Local Church Grants to need to pivot during the year of implementing their evangelism initiative. For one group of churches that received a 2024 grant, this was certainly the case. Bell, Grace, and Big Sandy United […]
Churches Care for Those Experiencing Memory Loss and Their Caregivers
Memory loss affects nearly 40% of people over age 65, with a smaller percentage (5-8%) experiencing dementia. It can be frustrating when there are few resources in a community for those navigating the symptoms and challenges. Three churches in rural Henry County, Tenn., decided to step in and help provide this support. Trinity United Methodist […]
Local Church Cohort Equips Congregation to Re-Engage Community
For over 107 years, the congregation at New Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Goulds, Fla., has been a place for fellowship in the community. Recently, Rev. Robin Dixon-Floyd, along with the congregation, engaged in a strategic planning session and identified that their members are enthusiastic and engaged about the church’s continued presence, are benevolent […]