Mountain View District Mission GrantsSupport Local Ministry
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
For those of you who do not know me, I am Ryan Ware. I serve as the pastor of Smith Memorial UMC in Collinsville. I also have the pleasure of serving as the chair of the Mountain View District Mission Grant process. I encourage each of your congregations to prayerfully consider applying for a mission grant.
District mission grants are designed for local church and district mission programs outside of the normal conference and local church funding processes. They are intended to provide funding for innovative programs of missional and strategic outreach into the local community beyond a local church’s current financial resources. The purpose of these grants is to encourage churches to move from an emphasis on self-preservation to move more deeply into partnership and care for the local community to make disciples and transform the community.
Over the last year, we have given a variety of grants to congregations of different sizes. We have supported a grant under $1000 for a congregation starting an art school for children in the community as well as a congregation serving as a warming shelter during the winter and everything in between. We have given grants to churches with average attendance of 80+ and as small as 12 at one church on a three-point charge. God is at work on the Mountain View District stirring us up for work outside the walls of the church.
We are so excited to highlight a few of our projects for you.
In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus says, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to every creature” (Mark 16:15, CEB). Jesus does not say to stay in your buildings and proclaim the good news. Jesus reminds us that our call is to go into the whole world.
Sometimes, we think that means we have to go far away.
However, the mission field is ripe just outside our own doors.
Jesus’ ministry is an incarnational, embodied ministry.
Our call is to live out that call
as we care for all creatures and all people.
The mission grant committee hopes that you will prayerfully consider what God is calling your congregation to do for the sake of the mission of Jesus Christ. As you do, please consider applying for a district mission grant. Click HERE to access the MVD Mission Grant Application or contact Katie Wilson at KatieWilson@vaumc.org. Grants are considered on a rolling application basis, meaning there is no set deadline. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Rev. Leigh Anne Taylor at LeighAnneTaylor@vaumc.org or me at RyanWare@vaumc.org. We will be happy to help you.
Blessings in your prayerful discernment!
Rev. Ryan Ware
