2025 Servants Like Jesus Grant application deadline is October 1

July 30, 2024

The North Alabama Conference Mission budget provides grant funds for new mission projects and continuing projects with connections to the United Methodist Church. The grant is available every other year. New and emerging ministries, as well as existing ministries specifically engaged in missions managed by mission agencies, local United Methodist Churches, Cooperative Parishes, Advance Specials and other affiliated mission programs, are invited to apply for funding.

The 2025 grants also include monies specifically designated for ministries/projects of Conference Advance Specials and rural churches located in communities with a population of less than 10,000 people that are willing to have a renewed focus on missions as a discipleship tool. These funds were generously given through the 2024 North Alabama Annual Conference Special Offering in June. The grants provided by the special offering are a way the Conference is investing in the very communities where God has planted these churches and ministries. It is intended to be a contribution to their revitalization and enable them to continue living the story of Jesus for the glory of God.

The North Alabama Conference Mission team seeks to support those programs that are sponsored by or partnering with United Methodist Churches to make disciples for Jesus Christ across the conference and around the world. The following are the mission areas that serve as criteria for funding:

• Mission Education and Communication
  Providing mission education and training events as well as interpretation
  
• Mission development of the local church/cooperative parish
  Hands-on mission ministry both locally and around the world to assist the local church in launching a mission project that serves those beyond the local congregation
  
• Community Ministries
  Community ministries in the areas of hunger, housing, and children’s ministry. Funds in this mission area are specifically designed to provide seed money for new ministries. Applicants should include a plan for long-term funding support. Grants for continuing ministries are available on a limited basis.
  
• Mission Congregations (designated by North Alabama Conference)
  Direct financial support to Mission Congregations
  
• Mission Personnel (GM missionaries/UMVIM Individual Volunteers)
  Direct financial support of projects or ministries of our North Alabama Conference missionaries serving locally, nationally, or internationally.

The Servants Like Jesus Mission Grant is offered every other year. Grants range from $500 to $2,500 per project/ministry. Applications will be available online at www.umcna.org/missiongrants. The deadline for the application is October 1. All the required documentation should be in the office by the deadline. If you have any questions about the application form or award process, please email Rev. Dr. Adlene Kufarimai, Director of Connectional Ministries at [email protected].