Young people of The United Methodist Church awarded more than $200,000 in grants to their peers across the globe in 2008 to support innovative approaches and paths to ministry.

The denomination's Division on Ministries with Young People oversees grant programs through its Youth Service Fund to encourage the church's youth to engage in service and support creative approaches to ministries for, with and by young people.

United Methodist youth created the fund to support each other’s involvement in service. Seventy percent of all funds raised by the youth remains in their annual conferences, and 30 percent supports the international Youth Service Fund grants. At both levels, youth determine who receives the grants.

The total amount awarded by the International Youth Service Fund this year was $98,500 to 18 ministries.

For 2008, two programs received grants for the third year:

• The Deaf School-based Bible Teaching Program of the Immanuel Deaf Youth in Nairobi, Kenya, received a $5,000 award. This program brings the Gospel to the deaf through workshops, encourages youth leadership and pilots the development of sign-language manuals;
• Impact Richmond of St. Marks United Methodist Church in Virginia received $2,500 for a youth ministry to help homeowners make repairs when they have a limited income due to age or disability.

The Division on Ministries with Young People provides additional grants beyond the Youth Service Fund. These additional 13 grants ranged in value of $2,500-$13,000 for a total of $100,000.

Four received grants for a second year:

• The Wesley Foundation at Kennesaw State University in Georgia was awarded $13,000 for its Campus Focused Program of AGAPE Evangelism. This program helps students discover and grow in their faith by providing opportunities for worship, discipleship and missions.
• The National United Methodist Young Adult Fellowship in Quezon City, Philippines, received $10,000 for its Caravan Mission for Tribal Filipinos II. Young people will experience training and real missions through a caravan team of volunteers from all over the island nation.
• Bristol Outreach JC Evangelistic Ministries in Virginia received $7,000 to prepare a new generation of leaders by offering children, youth and adults of all socioeconomic and racial backgrounds an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth.
• Striva's Community Youth Service at the United Methodist Relief Center in South Carolina was awarded $10,000. The youth group teams with the United Methodist Relief Center to rebuild and rehab a community in desperate need.

The division is part of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship. For more information about scholarships and grants, to request an application or to make a donation to the Youth Service Fund, contact Sarah Smith at (615) 340-7184 or ssmith@gbod.org.

*This story is based on information provided by the United Methodist Board of Discipleship.

News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

Related Articles

West African youth explore leadership, peace building

Young people’s unit sees leadership change, approves grants

Agency awards $55,500 in Peace with Justice grants

Young people celebrate global connection, hear challenges

Grants aim to help young people change world

Youth service project expands to urban setting

Resource

Division on Ministries with Young People