A Summary of Grants distributed from the Encounter with Christ in Latin America & the Caribbean Permanent Fund for 2023
- $10,000.00—Evangelical Methodist Church of Argentina. “Community Songbook.” To create a digital and physical songbook. GM goal: Make Disciples of Jesus Christ. GM Priority: Strengthen develop and renew Christian congregations and communities.
Context: The Argentine Evangelical Methodist Church (AEMC) has been an autonomous Methodist church since 1969 and is sustained by contributions from its communities. In recent years, there has been a decline in purchasing power in Argentina, due to various factors, including the prioritization of external debt payment instead of growth policies and salary increases by the government. This situation has affected the ability of faith communities to make offerings and has limited the church’s financial resources for the production of materials that enrich liturgical and celebratory life. Methodists are known for singing their theology. The last songbook published by AEMC dates back to 1983. It is important to include songs composed since that publication.
Program Goal: This project involves the creation of a songbook, published on a website, available for all faith communities (not only in Argentina, but also for CIEMAL churches and other expressions of the Ecumenical movement). Within the songbook, each song will be available in the following formats: sheet music, lyrics, musical backing tracks, and a sung version performed by a soloist. Additionally, the songs will be categorized by theme and worship moment. There will also be brief biographies of authors and composers. The aim is to include 150 new songs that have not been published in any other hymnal. The intention is to later print a simplified songbook, containing only sheet music, for use in congregations. The AEMC will cover 37.5% of the cost of this program.
People Impact: The songbook will be available for hundreds of AEMC congregations and other churches that wish to subscribe to the project.
- $8,940.00—CAREF, Argentinian Commission for Refugees, Argentina). “Testimony and Commemoration: 50 Years of CAREF.” To raise awareness of the work done by CAREF’s constituent churches in promoting human rights and giving testimony to its ecumenical investment in defending migrants and refugees, on CAREF’s 50th anniversary.
Context: CAREF is an organization founded in 1973 that works for the rights of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, promoting practices and standards that foster their integration in conditions of justice and equality. The institution is composed of five evangelical churches: Disciples of Christ, Church of the Río de la Plata, Argentine Methodist, Waldensian of the Río de la Plata, and United Lutheran. The Methodist Church was one of the founding churches and continues to support CAREF to this day. Representatives from these churches make up the Board of Directors of CAREF, engaging in dialogue with the management team and technical staff to transmit the mission of the institution.
In recent years, CAREF has been able to work in five areas of the country located at border points and has gained recognition at the regional and global levels for its work in support of the rights of migrants, bringing the voice of the churches to global discussion spaces. The work of the institution is based on the free professional service of social and legal advice and assistance, placing the migrant or refugee at the center of the organization, and from there, the work of other areas (training, communication, research) is projected.
Program Goal: The goal of this project is to raise awareness of the work carried out by the churches that make up CAREF in promoting rights and to bear witness to an ecumenical experience of commitment in support of migrants and refugees that has been sustained and strengthened for 50 years. CAREF will carry out this goal through a three-month exhibition of its Historical Archive that showcases its work. There will also be a Celebration Event that will bring together members of the five denominations that formed CAREF as well as a celebration event with the Migrant Community with the participation of 150 people.
People Impact: The main beneficiaries of this project are the five denominations, which include 60 churches.
- $10,000.00—CREAS (an international ecumenical partner in Latin America located in Argentina). “Ecumenical and Interreligious Best Practices for Young Adults.” To implement a series of online workshops and in-person meetings aimed at youth on the topics of Ecumenical Diaconia, Interreligious Cooperation, Humanitarian Issues, Constructing Peace, and Integral Sustainable Ecological Development. GM Goal: Regional Mission Relationships. GM priority: Evangelism and Congregational Revitalization.
Context: Latin America is characterized by being one of the most unequal regions in the world (Global Inequality Report 2022), trapped in a development trap (HDI, 2021), experiencing increasing levels of distrust and social cohesion (9 out of 10 people in Latin America and the Caribbean do not believe they can trust others − Trust: The Key to Social Cohesion and Growth in Latin America and the Caribbean Report − IDB, 2022), and facing rising violence and insecurity, making it one of the most violent regions in the world (IRDH). This project addresses three problems that are verified within faith communities:
1. The lack of a space for the formation of youth leadership in Christian religious organizations in Latin America.
2. The lack of good practices for ecumenical and interreligious cooperation at the community level.
3. The lack of training in skills to lead generative processes of peacebuilding and integral human development in contexts of growing distrust, inequalities, polarization, and violence in Latin America.
Christian churches, together with ecumenical organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean, have highlighted the need for specific training for young people in ecumenism, leadership, and dialogue skills, as well as fostering cooperation and coordination. At the same time, young people of faith have expressed a desire for integrative and dialogical experiences that bridge their faith experience with their commitment to their communities and social issues. In this context, it is of particular strategic importance for the ecumenical movement to provide training and capacity−building for youth leaders involved in local and regional community processes, promoting good ecumenical and interreligious practices.
Program Goal: The goal of the project is to generate new relational dynamics and develop and implement good practices at the community and territorial level in economic, social, and environmental development, humanitarian action, community resilience, and prevention of all forms of violence. This will be achieved through a formative process for young Christian leaders, focusing on skills such as openness, active listening, dialogue, and collaboration. By equipping young leaders with these skills, the project aims to foster positive change and promote holistic development in the areas mentioned.
People Impact: 100 young people will directly benefit by completing the Ikuméni training courses, and a further 200 young people will benefit by being sensitized through focused training instances in workshops.
- $10,000.00—The Methodist Church in Brazil. “The Amazon Mission Medical Boat Ministry—Amazon Territory.” To provide medical assistance in the areas of oral hygiene, health education, and community and spiritual development to Riverside Villages and Indigenous Communities.
Context: Located in the immense Amazon territory, comprising approximately 59% of Brazilian territory with some 24 million people living in 775 municipalities, “Missao Amazonia” targets riverside and indigenous communities.
Program Goal: Provide medical assistance in the area of health, oral hygiene, and education in the Riverside and Indigenous communities of the Amazon territory.
People Impact: Residents of 19 Indigenous villages and 18 Riverside communities will directly benefit from this program.
Expected Results: 700 medical consultations take place as well as 133 dental service appointments, and 280 medical evaluations. These medical services will be given through 8 trips of the Missionary Boat Hospital of the Methodist Church in Brazil’s 9th region. Local Brazilian Methodist Churches will provide 84% of the total $64,000 budget with the grant from Encounter’s Permanent Fund comprising 16% of the cost.
- $10,000.00—KOINONIA—Ecumenical Partner in Latin America, Brazil. “Faith-based dialogues for Afro-Brazilians in the states of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Bahia.” To organize community meetings among Afro-Brazilian groups throughout Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Bahia states that will promote the rights of Afro-Brazilians in a quest for a new spirituality without fundamentalism and violence.
Context: African descendent Brazilians suffer from racism and intolerance. These Afro-Brazilians experience higher indices of poverty, unemployment, homicides, and religious intolerance than persons of other racial/ethnic backgrounds.
Program Goal: To promote dialogues among communities of life and faith to overcome prejudice and racism, which today are based on fundamentalism and a distorted Christianity, against Afro−Brazilian communities and religiosities of African origins.
People Impact: Approximately 150 attendees of meetings, which will affect 475 families representing 1,900 people.
- $10,000.00—The Methodist Church of Brazil. “Church Planting Program in the state of Sao Paulo.” To plant a new church in the Wesleyan perspective of holistic growth and reach non-Christians with the Gospel. GM Goal: Make Disciples of Jesus Christ. GM Priority: Evangelism and Congregational Revitalization.
Context: The State of São Paulo has a population of 44 million residents. It is a region that attracts people from all other states because of job opportunities. This concentration of people contributes to the growth of unplanned cities and increasing social inequality. One of the cities where the Methodist Church of Brazil, 3rd Ecclesiastical Region is planting a new church is Bragança Paulista city, with 172,000 residents. This city is growing. The Gross Domestic Product (1.26 billion dollars) is made up of 70% services, 29% industries and 1% agriculture. The success of the city’s soccer team attracted new businesses and new residents. The estimation is that 22% of residents declare themselves evangelicals and 70% Catholics. However, the number of practitioners of Christianity is much smaller.
The economic situation in Brazil is dire, and due in part to the COVID−19 pandemic, Methodist churches are experiencing financial difficulties. The national currency has devalued, the number of active members has decreased, and the Church has the challenge of continuing to plant new churches, helping ongoing projects.
Program Goal: The goal of this project is to plant a new church faithful to the Gospel to reach non−Christians. Despite the numerical growth of evangelical people, there is a need for new churches that remain faithful to the Gospel of Christ, in the Wesleyan perspective of holistic growth. Approximately 65% of the total budget of this project will come from The Methodist Church of Brazil with the balance coming from Encounter’s Permanent Fund.
People Impact: The families of new people reached through the planting of this church and the impact they will make in their homes and neighborhoods.
- $10,000.00—The Methodist Church of Chile. “Pastoral Attention for Remote Churches—Nationwide.” To develop a variety of ministries to support rural churches in the towns of Copiapó, Linares, Santa Bárbara, Mulchén, Trapa (among indigenous Mapuche groups), and Las Juntas. GM Goal: Strengthen, develop, and renew Christian congregations and communities. GM priority: Evangelism and Congregational Revitalization.
Context: The Methodist Church of Chile (the Church) has a long history in the country, dating back to the late 19th century. Over the years, it has maintained a social commitment marked by involvement in community processes experienced by Chilean society. This includes concrete actions in humanitarian aid, a prophetic voice amid sociopolitical tensions, and pastoral support during times of social change. The current reality is shaped by the socio−economic structure in the country.
On the one hand, the Church operates in a connexional manner, meaning that resources are allocated equitably based on local needs within an interconnected general framework. It includes churches, ecclesiastical institutions, ministries, and federations. On the other hand, there is significant diversity among different geographic regions, each with its own socio−economic context. Socio−economic conditions are closely intertwined with cultural contexts, as the Church is multicultural, encompassing various economic strata, ethnic groups, indigenous peoples, traditions, ages, customs, and needs.
In addition to these diverse realities, the Church is actively involved in advocating for fundamental rights such as healthcare, housing, education, migration, and gender issues. Recent public policy changes implemented by the national government pose challenges to the Church, requiring it to transform realities and address the multifaceted crises faced by Chilean society.
This description highlights the Methodist Church of Chile’s commitment to social justice, its recognition of cultural diversity, and its role in addressing fundamental rights issues. The Church’s work is deeply intertwined with the socio−economic and cultural context of Chile, and it strives to bring about positive change in the face of current challenges.
Program Goal: The goal of this program is to promote development in faith communities through strategies, actions, and identity that foster hope, justice, and a spirituality connected with life, based on a liberating gospel, in order to achieve a positive strengthening impact, especially on the most vulnerable population. Program activities include providing accompaniment in the field, through pastoral visits, liturgical celebrations, Bible studies, discipleship, etc., to church communities in remote geographical areas of the country, specifically in the cities of Copiapó, Linares, Santa Bárbara, Mulchén, Trapa − Trapa (work among the Mapuche people), and Las Juntas.
People Impact: 200 women, 100 children, 50 senior citizens, and 5 faith communities will directly benefit from this program.
- $10,000–Colombia-CEPALC: “Leadership Training for Indigenous Zenú Women.” The project will develop a series of workshop promoting female leadership and autonomy among Zenú women in Colombia, by developing entrepreneurial and small business administration capacity.
Context: CEPALC has been working on the training and monitoring of grassroots women’s groups on their rights and gender awareness. There have been advancements, especially among young women. Traditional culture has relegated women to domestic work, excluding them from participating in the political and social life of communities, and even from managing the economic income generated within families. Young women, aware of their rights and the need to gain personal autonomy to freely define their life projects, have attempted to start small economic ventures as a way to break free from the economic dependence imposed by patriarchal culture.
Program Goal: Increase the personal and financial autonomy of Zenú women throughout Córdoba through the following activities: 1) Workshops on economic rights and economic justice for women, empowering them to build an economy with a gender perspective in their communities, following the example of Zelophehad’s daughters in the Bible (see Numbers 27:1-8) who claimed the right to inherit their father’s lands, surpassing the prohibition of patriarchal culture. 2) Workshops on basic concepts of administration, planning, budget preparation, women’s relationships with money, loan negotiation, investments, purchasing and selling inputs and produced goods. 3) Workshops on reinventing economic relationships in communities and families, from and for women. Financial empowerment of women as a fundamental part of exercising their right to autonomy. 4) Creation of a fund to provide small loans to women entrepreneurs. After the project is completed, the fund will be managed by the Association of Indigenous Women, “Hacedoras de Cultura Zenú,” an association that emerged from the training and support processes of CEPALC.
People Impact: 80 women and girls aged 12-25, and 25 women over the age of 25, are expected to benefit directly from this program. The women are from the towns of La Siria, Cruz Chiquita, Cruz de Guayabo, Calle Larga, San Andrés, and Gardenias.
Expected results: As a result of this program, several outcomes are expected:
(i) Indigenous Zenú women will be more aware of and better equipped to defend their economic rights as a fundamental part of their social empowerment. (ii) Indigenous women in the communities will gain autonomy and freedom to build their life projects by generating and managing the economic income they obtain through the enterprises they lead, departing from the traditions established by patriarchal culture. (iii) Indigenous women in the communities take on social prominence and leadership as they build new gender relations based on greater equity and sisterhood—brotherhood in their everyday lives.
- $10,000—The Colombian Methodist Church. “National Program for Women’s Sharing and Empowerment–Nationwide.” To develop resources for raising awareness of female experiences of leadership and violence, support both a telephone hotline and in-person accompaniment for women in crisis and implement virtual and in-person trainings on women’s rights throughout Colombia.
Context: The Colombian Methodist Church (the Church) is an institution that works from the perspective of social transformation in territories of the country that have been systematically neglected and exploited by different forms of government, leading its inhabitants to prolonged vulnerability. There is also a lack of validation of women’s rights. As of February of this year, the Church has witnessed over 30 femicides and more than 2,000 reports of gender−based violence. The Church is present in more than 10 cities with these characteristics, where pastoral accompaniment is provided, and strategies are sought to achieve the vindication of women’s rights.
Program Goal: The goal is to promote spaces for educational conversation about and from women’s lives in relation to rights, church life, spiritual perspective, and social transformation, culminating in a national gathering that enables intercultural exchanges and sharing of experiences that contribute to the Church in the construction of an inclusive and protective narrative.
The activities to achieve this are as follows:
− Build resources for sensitization, such as didactic materials, informational guides, and consultation materials for virtual and in−person processes.
− Conduct sensitization meetings with female leaders and women from different territories.
− Launch a virtual support helpline for pastoral accompaniment and crisis assistance.
− Conduct field visits to provide training on rights with an interdisciplinary team.
− Organize a seminar for the recognition, prevention, and elimination of violence against women from a
theological perspective.
− Host a national gathering of women from the Colombian Methodist Church.
People Impact: A total of 260 women, including 10 female clergy, 35 female community ministry leaders, 200 female members of congregations, and other workshop attendees over 15 years of age. women, 15 youth, and 60 children will benefit directly from this project.
Expected Results: The expected results of this program are as follows:
− Raise awareness about women’s participation in pastoral vocation, leadership in communities, and their own needs perspective.
− Develop working groups that establish interecclesial relationships among women to experience ministry work and promote gender perspective mobilization.
− Carry out joint actions that reinforce the lines of action and conversation within the women’s ministry.
− Evaluate and develop a sociotechnical system to validate achievements, progress, and improvement opportunities.
- $10,000.00—The Evangelical United Methodist Church of Ecuador (EUMCE). “Witness and Solidarity through New Churches.” To strengthen existing ministries of evangelism, discipleship, and solidarity initiated by the new church starts in five locations in Ecuador among the most vulnerable populations in their surrounding communities. GM Goal: Strengthen develop and renew Christian congregations and communities. GM missional priority: Evangelism and Congregational revitalization.
Context: The EUMCE carries out its mission in two regions: the Coastal District and the Sierra District. It has 24 churches and five new church starts. This project aims to support the new church starts that have experienced significant growth in recent years. Pastors and lay leaders have heard the call to “Go and make disciples . . . teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you (Matthew 28: 19-20). The new Methodist churches in need of support are located in Guayaquil, Guasmo Norte neighborhood; Quevedo, Gustavo Campi neighborhood; Calceta rural community of Mantible; and Santo Domingo Alluriquin, Ciudad de Dios neighborhood.
These communities and neighborhoods are primarily composed of rural migrants in search of work and better life opportunities. They come from peasant backgrounds in the lowlands and coastal regions. Many people work as day laborers in nearby plantations, construction, and small street vending businesses or engage in small−scale entrepreneurship. The majority of the population belongs to the Montuvia culture, which refers to indigenous peasant families from the lowland mountains. Even in urban contexts, they maintain their cultural identity. Many other families are Afro−Ecuadorians from the northern region of the country, while others are migrants from the highlands or other countries. The majority of the population has low levels of education, high rates of child malnutrition, and extreme issues with teenage pregnancy and family abandonment. The region as a whole is characterized by poverty and faces new challenges of violence and insecurity, which mainly affect the lives and opportunities of women, children, and adolescents.
Program Goal: To strengthen the ministry of evangelism, discipleship, and solidarity in new churches in Ecuador located in areas of extreme need and social risk. The focus will be on developing a comprehensive and supportive mission that accompanies families, women, children, and communities.
People Impact: The project will benefit families and the community of people from the Montuvia culture—rural families from the lowland mountains—through a pastoral focus on discipleship and solidarity for mothers, fathers, children, and adolescents in the neighborhood and communities. The EUMCE expects to reach at least 120 families, totaling 450 people.
- $10,000.00—Evangelical Methodist Church in El Salvador. “Purchasing Land for San Lorenzo Methodist Church.” To support the purchase of land to establish a permanent place for church activities in the municipality of San Lorenzo and register it in the name of the Evangelical Methodist Church in El Salvador. GM Goal: Strengthen develop and renew Christian congregations and communities. GM missional priority: Evangelism and Congregational revitalization.
Context: The municipality of San Lorenzo is located in the northwest region of the Department of Ahuachapán, which shares a border with Guatemala. The population is just over 10,000. Available jobs are limited. Apart from 200 jobs in commerce, industry and the government, the majority of the population is either underemployed or works in agriculture. The majority of the inhabitants live in conditions of poverty and extreme poverty, which creates high levels of despair and a desire to migrate. These desires are fueled by the proximity of the border with Guatemala and the ease of crossing it.
Program Goal: This land purchase will provide a permanent place from which the Evangelical Methodist Church in El Salvador (EMCES) can serve this community. The current challenge of renting a location is fraught with instability due to the whims of landlords who decide to stop renting and the resulting need to change locations. EMCES plans to build a church building for worship and community service.
People Impact: This project will benefit children, adolescents, youth, women, adults, and the elderly, both members and non-members of the local Methodist church. A total of 350 adults and 140 children will benefit directly from this project.
- $10,000.00—The Evangelical National Primitive Methodist Church of Guatemala. “Mission Evangelism Workshops for Young Leaders—Quiché, Quetzaltenango, Sololá.” To promote evangelism in Indigenous communities the Evangelical National Primitive Methodist Church of Guatemala serves, by providing four workshops on “mission evangelism in the community” for your church leaders. GM Goal: Strengthen, develop, and renew Christian congregations and communities. GM priority: Evangelism and Congregational Revitalization.
Context: The Evangelical National Primitive Methodist Church of Guatemala (ENPMCG) is located primarily in rural areas of Guatemala where high levels of poverty and malnutrition exist. The main economic activity for people living in these areas is farming or working with other people’s livestock. As a result, a large percentage of ENPMCG pastors do not have formal secular education and lack the knowledge to prepare basic reports and budgets.
Program Goal: Training young pastors will increase their capacity to serve and have an impact on the church’s overall effectiveness in evangelism.
People Impact: This program will benefit a total of 300 students, in 4 groups of 75 students each.
- $8,398.00—The United Theological College of the West Indies (an international ecumenical partner of the Jamaica District of the Methodist Church of the Caribbean and the Americas). “Advanced Certificate in Leadership Skills for Church and Society.” To support an existing certificate program for male and female clergy in Jamaica that provides numerous avenues for enhancing the quality of leadership development opportunities for those interested in improving their impact as they engage in the strategic direction of their respective organizations. GM Goal: Advocacy and Justice Ministries. GM priority: Evangelism and Congregational Revitalization.
Context: The United Theological College of the West Indies (UTCWI) seeks to address the emerging issue of alleged corruption in society, in general, which is cause for concern to the nation and to institutions like the UTCWI and the church that promote and uphold principles of ethics and good governance. Crime and violence, including domestic violence and the abuse of girls and boys, are other issues of concern, especially if men and women with leadership roles in society are involved. There is also a concern for boys’ and girls’ reported anti−social and inappropriate behavior towards their parents and
teachers. Further, there needs to be a deepening of the understanding of gender justice and unity with other agencies and partners in addressing violence and discrimination based on gender and advocacy for just gender policies in the churches and the wider society.
Program Goal: The goal of this program is to help participants fulfil their leadership potential by
acquiring a deeper understanding of various leadership styles, competencies, and skills in, among other topics, team building, strategic planning, and decision−making. The program will provide valuable insights, proven to work in real−world situations.
People Impact: Ordained persons, lay leaders, practitioners in the churches, students, and private sector personnel who desire to acquire leadership skills will be the direct beneficiaries of this program. This could be upwards of 40 persons.
- $10,000.00—The Methodist Church of Mexico. “Vehicle Purchase for Congregational Growth, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.” To purchase a used van in good condition, to transport established churchgoers more effectively to church services and also bring potential new members to services. GM goal: Strengthen, develop, and renew Christian congregations and communities. GM priority: Evangelism and Congregational Revitalization.
Context: Guadalajara, the second largest city in Mexico, located in the state of Jalisco, faces issues of migration, alcoholism, domestic violence, drug addiction, and theft.
Program Goal: Transport congregants and others who seek the spiritual and social support of the Church to Sunday worship, bible studies, and workshops that are offered. To identify new people for discipleship ministries. As a result of this project, the Methodist Church of Mexico expects to reach a greater number of congregants and emphasize the importance of consistency, continuity, and coherence in each person’s spiritual journey, reflecting the discipline of a fruitful disciple of Christ.
People Impact: The direct beneficiaries of the project will include 30 people who live far from the churches, as well as 40 children and youth.
- $7,419.00—The Methodist Church of Mexico. “Equipping and Reactivating a Medical Clinic in Jiutepec, Morelos State, Mexico.” To equip and reactivate a medical clinic in the Lomas de Chapultepec neighborhood of Jiutepec, in Morelos State, Mexico.
Context: According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), 43.9% of Mexico’s 126 million population lives in poverty. The percentage is higher in the state of Morelos where the poverty rate is 50.9%, including 8.4% living in extreme poverty. The COVID-19 pandemic led to more unemployment, which caused an increase in men who migrated to other states in Mexico as well as the United States in search of work, resulting in family disintegration. Currently there is no government or private general medical service or first aid in the neighborhood of Lomas de Chapultepec. Residents have to travel far away for medical assistance. Thus, the reactivation of a medical clinic in the community is crucial.
Program Goal: To remedy the deficit in medical attention for Lomas de Chapultepec neighborhood residents. Free weekly Saturday consultations will be provided in general medicine and dental care.
People Impact: This program will benefit both church members and the wider community. Approximately 50 women, 100 children, and 50 men will benefit directly.
- $9,000.00—The Methodist Church of Mexico. “Editing Materials for Christian Education, Mexico City, Mexico.” To edit and publish books on theology, modern biblical reflection, Methodist doctrine and education, Sunday School teaching, and hymnals.
Context: The Mexico Methodist Church’s United Publishing House (UPH) was established 104 years ago, contributing to Christian literary culture in Mexico. It is a company of the Methodist Church of Mexico, AR, and is a distributor of the Spanish language edition of The Upper Room (El Aposento Alto). Publishing has become more expensive due to the post-pandemic crisis worldwide. UPH desires to facilitate access to Christian education and theological training materials for churches and their members.
Program Goal: To facilitate the theological and biblical training processes for pastors and teachers at Sunday Schools of the Methodist Church Mexico by providing updated books on theological and biblical reflection. UPH also wants to publish texts on Methodist doctrine, education, Sunday Schools, hymnals, worship manuals, and resources for praise and worship.
People impact: Approximately 100 pastors and 100 Sunday School teachers as well a women and 20 children will directly benefit from this program.
- $10,000.00—The Evangelical Methodist Community of Paraguay. “Remansito Methodist Church Food Kitchen.” To offer a healthy meal to needy children and adolescents once a week at the Remansito Methodist Church Food Kitchen and boost their well-being. GM goal: Alleviate human suffering. Missional Priority: Evangelism and Congregational Revitalization.
Context: The Evangelical Methodist Community of Paraguay’s (EMCP) Church of Remansito was founded in a neighborhood on the banks of the Paraná River and its context is one of extreme poverty. The mission of the church has always been to bring the love of God through acts of mercy, offering medical care through brigades, doctors, donating clothes, school supplies, and other actions to promote the well-being of the people. The desire is to continue contributing to this needy place, with the possibility of feeding children and adolescents with these needs, and thus give witness to the love of God.
Program Goal: The EMCP’s aims to offer needy children the opportunity to receive a healthy meal once a week would be a way to improve their condition and demonstrate the love of God to these children. The project activities are to provide healthy meals, teaching the Word of God, engaging in activities such as songs, Bible stories, educational games, and prayer to develop a comprehensive approach to ministering to these children. By nourishing their bodies with nutritious meals and feeding their souls with spiritual teachings, the EMCP will create a holistic environment that promotes their well−being and spiritual growth.
People Impact: 30 children are expected to directly benefit from this project.
- $10,000.00—The Methodist Church of Peru. “The ‘Caretaking Creation’ Project–Nationwide.” To engage church members, pastors, and laity in a wide range of activities promoting climate justice. GM Goal: Seek Justice, Freedom and Peace. GM priority: Disaster Relief and Sustainable Development.
Context: Peru is currently experiencing a situation of political instability, corruption, and power struggles between two polarized sectors of the population, which have resulted in violence and death. Issues such as climate justice are not a priority on the government’s agenda. The concessions granted by the government for the exploitation of natural resources to companies often serve personal interests. Information about these processes is often revealed through alternative media sources. Unfortunately, the Methodist Church of Peru (the Church) is also indifferent in many ways. A large portion of Church members do not actively engage in caring for creation. The Church is beginning the process of raising awareness among its members to embrace climate justice as a testimony of faith and commitment to caring for creation. However, more work needs to be done in this regard through workshops, meetings, and the dissemination of guiding materials.
Program Goal: The first goal of this project is to promote the active participation of members, pastors, and laypeople in congregations in various contexts of environmental justice. A second goal is to encourage climate justice activities in daily life as a reflection of collective efforts towards caring for creation. The church plans to implement these goals through workshops, publication of materials on climate justice, and initiation of community activities on climate justice.
People Impact: 200 women, 100 children, 50 senior citizens, and 5 faith communities will directly benefit from this program.
- $10,000.00—The Methodist Church of Puerto Rico. “Equipping Local Leaders for Effective Evangelization.” To equip local clergy and laity for effective evangelization amongst the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico’s 103 local churches in Puerto Rico and St. Croix.
Context: The region of Puerto Rico and the wider Caribbean has experienced several natural disasters including hurricanes Irma and Maria (2017) and Fiona (2022) as well as earthquakes in the southern zone of Puerto Rico that have had an adverse effect on both of the islands and the ministry of the Church. In addition, the impact of COVID-19 has had a lasting effect on worship attendance.
Program Goal: To train clergy and laity on evangelistic outreach in each community where a Methodist Church is located in Puerto Rico and St. Croix. They will form a “Bank of Trained and Certified Local Evangelist Resources” through the development of a specialized curriculum to certify local evangelists. They will also create a Discipleship Manual for new members from the perspective and contextual reality of these two islands. The Methodist Church of Puerto Rico has set a goal of an increase of at least 5% of their current membership within the first two years of the program’s implementation.
People Impact: 100 clergy and 200 laity will directly benefit from this program.
- $7,500.00—The Wesley Heritage Foundation. “Design and pre-production of 2nd edition of Obras de Wesley.” To support finishing the fully revised second edition of the Wesley Heritage Foundation’s landmark publication, the 14-volume Obras de Wesley (Works of Wesley). GM Goal: Regional Mission Relationships. GM priority: Evangelism and Congregational Revitalization.
Context: Wesley Heritage Foundation (WHF) and its ministry arm, the Instituto de Estudios Wesleyanos, serve all churches in ’la gran familia wesleyana’ throughout the Spanish−speaking world. These include Hispanic churches in the US, autonomous Methodist churches in Latin America, and churches belonging to many other Wesleyan denominations such as the Free Methodist Church, the Wesleyan Church, the Church of the Nazarene, and others. These various churches have two main traits in common.
First, they are working faithfully and hopefully to bring Gospel−centered change to their communities. Such communities struggle against a variety of life−denying socioeconomic problems, and these churches are passionate about working for both personal and social well−being.
Second, these churches are often proud of their Wesleyan roots, but express a desire to learn more about John Wesley and the original Methodist movement to help empower their ministry today. WHF has many testimonies of people saying that a sharper awareness of their Wesleyan identity has been an inspiration both in their own lives and in their ministry. Access to a new, revised set of John Wesley’s writings throughout Latin America and the Caribbean will give these churches a fresh chance to dig into the richness of the Wesleyan Way, that balance of holiness of heart and life that is so keenly needed today. WHF wants to make clear how this project will be distributed and − in some cases − sold. The Obras de Wesley are available for free download on our website, and for the past 15 years this digital version has been the only way people get access to them, since the initial printing 25 years ago was relatively small. The plan is to keep this new edition available as a free download, but WHF also wants to make it available in print again. But WHF plans to sell both the soft cover and hardback addition at cost, meaning no profit for WHF. A person or a church will only pay the cost of printing and shipping the volumes. From its beginnings, WHF has seen Wesley’s writings as a gift to the Spanish−speaking world. While WHF does make a small profit of the very small sales of other books, that will never be the case for the Obras. It is WHF’s joy to make them available as freely as possible, and now in print format again.
Program Goal: The goal of this program is to publish a fully revised second edition of the Works of Wesley in Spanish: Las Obras de Wesley. Funds are needed to cover the costs of formatting, design, and preparation for printing this new edition.
People Impact: The many people who are members or constituents of 37 Wesleyan heritage denominations in the Americas.
- $10,000.00—The Methodist Church in Uruguay. “Seeds for the Future Leadership Development.” To create a group of 20 young leaders, to lead the ministry, “Christian Education and Discipleship for Children, Adolescents and Youth.” GM Goal: developing Mission Congregations. GM priority: Evangelism and Congregational Revitalization.
Context: The Methodist Church in Uruguay (IMU) has a limited and balanced budget that currently does not generate deficits, but it also does not allow the IMU to develop new ministries, support activities, or provide training for young leaders who mostly lack the resources to cover these costs themselves. Access to employment for this age group is difficult, delayed, and poorly paid. Its Mission Plan emphasizes discipleship for children, adolescents, and young people. In the Uruguayan context, camps provide intense opportunities for community, formation, and spirituality that leave a lasting impact. They create strong bonds with the faith community, and young people often testify to how camps have allowed them to encounter the living God, Jesus Christ, and have had a lifelong influence. The IMU started efforts in this area in 2022, but the continuity of these efforts is jeopardized by the scarcity of available resources. The IMU believes that at this moment it would be very important and a great help to have an economic boost that allows it to strengthen and consolidate the axis of Childhood, Adolescence, and Youth in its Mission Plan.
Program Goal: The goal of the Seeds for the Future program is to create a group of 20 young leaders who can carry out the ministry of Encouragement in Christian Education and Discipleship for Children, Adolescents, and Youth.
People Impact: 30 church leaders, 40 children ages 8-12, 40 adolescents ages 13-17, and 30 youth ages 12-25 are expected to directly benefit from this proposal.
- $10,000.00—The Methodist Church in Uruguay. “Seeds for the Future Leadership Development.” To create a group of 20 young leaders, to lead the ministry, “Christian Education and Discipleship for Children, Adolescents and Youth.” GM Goal: developing Mission Congregations. GM priority: Evangelism and Congregational Revitalization.
Context: The Methodist Church in Uruguay (IMU) has a limited and balanced budget that currently does not generate deficits, but it also does not allow the IMU to develop new ministries, support activities, or provide training for young leaders who mostly lack the resources to cover these costs themselves. Access to employment for this age group is difficult, delayed, and poorly paid. Its Mission Plan emphasizes discipleship for children, adolescents, and young people. In the Uruguayan context, camps provide intense opportunities for community, formation, and spirituality that leave a lasting impact. They create strong bonds with the faith community, and young people often testify to how camps have allowed them to encounter the living God, Jesus Christ, and have had a lifelong influence. The IMU started efforts in this area in 2022, but the continuity of these efforts is jeopardized by the scarcity of available resources. The IMU believes that at this moment it would be very important and a great help to have an economic boost that allows it to strengthen and consolidate the axis of Childhood, Adolescence, and Youth in its Mission Plan.
Program Goal: The goal of the Seeds for the Future program is to create a group of 20 young leaders who can carry out the ministry of Encouragement in Christian Education and Discipleship for Children, Adolescents, and Youth.
People Impact: 30 church leaders, 40 children ages 8-12, 40 adolescents ages 13-17, and 30 youth ages 12-25 are expected to directly benefit from this proposal.
Encounter with Christ in Latin America and the Caribbean 