GBOD | Events, Grants & Programs

Grants for Ministries with Young People
DEADLINE JULY 1 These grants fund innovative, dynamic, creative ministries with, for, and by young people. Projects we fund must be driven in design and implemented by young people either within or outside the church. The project must have a strong biblical and theological foundation and must reflect a diversity of racial, gender, and class differences both in its leadership and in its impact in the church and community.

Racial/Ethnic Local Church Concerns Grants
DEADLINE JULY 1 & NOVEMBER 1 Grants are awarded to projects that focus on developing and strengthening the racial ethnic local church for witness and mission. Projects must be related to the United Methodist connectional system and must be consistent with the doctrine and social principles of the Book of Discipline.

Scholarships for Young People
DEADLINE JUNE 1 Scholarships to aid United Methodist students continuing their development through higher education.

Youth Service Fund Grant
DEADLINE JUNE 1 The Youth Servce Fund empowers young people as world-changing disciples of Jesus Christ, nurtures faith development, and equips young leaders. Priority will be given to those projects that are youth-led. The project must be youth-related. Youth Service Fund money is to be used to develop new projects that will become self-supporting.

Older Adult Ministries Grants
DEADLINE January 15, 2010 for Intergenerational Ministry with older adults
January 15, 2011 for Caregiving Ministry with older adults. The United Methodist Committee on Older Adult Ministries will be providing two kinds of grants related to older adult ministry during the 2009-2012 quadrennium. The two older adult ministry grants available are in the areas of Intergenerational Ministry and Caregiving Ministry. The grants, part of the Comprehensive Plan for Older Adult Ministries, will be available to local United Methodist congregations, districts, annual conferences, central conferences, and United Methodist-related institutions. All grant applications will be reviewed by the United Methodist Committee on Older Adult Ministries.

Burning Bush (Discipleship University)

Nashville, Tennessee
Burning Bush 1: March 11-14, 2010; Oct. 7-10, 2010

Burning Bush 3: Oct. 21-24, 2010; March 31-April 3, 2011; Oct. 20-23, 2011

Built around the dramatic appearance of God to Moses in the Exodus story, Burning Bush is the core curriculum of Discipleship University. The curriculum is designed for congregational teams and will focus on developing congregational plans for making disciples through a series of learning experiences on five weekends over two years.

Academy for Spiritual Formation

Various Dates & Locations
The Academy for Spiritual Formation is an experience of disciplined Christian community emphasizing holistic spirituality -- nurturing body, mind, and spirit. The program is meant for all those who hunger for deep spiritual experiences, both lay and clergy persons. Each Academy fosters new spiritual rhythms -- of study and prayer, rest and exercise, solitude and relationship.

Chrysalis

Various Dates & Locations
Chrysalis offers spiritual renewal to young people through a three-day experience and follow-up. Participants spend their days in worship, prayer, fellowship, creative expression, recreation, singing, and discussion. They'll experience the love of God through prayers and the acts of service from a loving support community.

Walk to Emmaus

Various Dates & Locations
The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal program intended to strengthen the local church through the development of Christian disciples and leaders. The program's approach seriously considers the model of Christ's servanthood and encourages Christ's disciples to act in ways appropriate to being "a servant of all."

Burning Bush (Discipleship University)

The Congress on Evangelism is sponsored by the Council on Evangelism and the General Board of Discipleship with the support of The Foundation for Evangelism. The congress meets every January at different locations presenting motivational speakers and workshops based on evangelism.

The Large Church Initiative National Training Event is geared for churches with worship attendance greater than 350. It provides inspiration and tools for lead pastors, associate pastors, staff, and lay leaders of the larger churches in The United Methodist Church. The event is sponsored by the Large Church Initiative and the General Board of Discipleship.