ATLANTA – In 2025, the “Encounter with Christ in Latin America and the Caribbean” (Encounter with Christ) permanent fund reached a significant milestone. Through the awarding of five new grants to mission partners, the total support provided to ministries in the region has surpassed the $2 million mark.
Encounter with Christ is a ministry partnership between the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas (MCCA), the Council of Evangelical Churches in Latin America and the Caribbean (CIEMAL), and Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church.
Global Ministries established the permanent fund by a vote of its board of directors in 1992. When the fund reached $1 million in donations in 2005, Global Ministries began distributing grants to support local mission work.
The Encounter with Christ fund tells the story of vibrant mission work throughout South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Methodist churches in the region advance the mission by serving marginalized populations, including women and children, immigrants, Indigenous communities, and those affected by racial and gender inequality. The fund supports these efforts by providing program funding for social justice, evangelism, and community outreach.
Support for “Roots of Hope” in the Dominican Republic
One of the projects approved in 2025, titled “Roots of Hope,” provides financial support to the Evangelical Church of the Dominican Republic (a historic union of Methodists, United Brethren, and Presbyterians formed in 1922).
This multiweek program creates a space for spiritual growth and discipleship. Activities include:
- Weekly training on theological concepts such as grace, forgiveness, Christian mission, and God’s unconditional love.
- Weekend spiritual retreats.
- Bible studies and small-group sharing sessions.
- Community service projects, including soup kitchens, food drives, and neighborhood clean-up days.
Professional Development for Educators in the Southern Caribbean
The South Caribbean District of the Methodist Church of the Caribbean and the Americas (MCCA) is currently revitalizing its educational network to ensure its 24 schools (spanning early childhood, primary, and secondary levels) remain “schools of choice.”
Following a thorough internal analysis, the district identified several critical needs:
- Teacher Burnout: Increased workload and a lack of professional development opportunities.
- Educational Gaps: Resource shortages for special needs students and socioeconomic achievement disparities.
- Systemic Disconnect: Barriers to parental engagement in rural communities and a lack of empowerment among school boards.
The project aims to improve school management through leadership retreats and the sharing of best practices. Additionally, the district is enhancing digital and print literacy for the community and developing a culturally relevant religious curriculum specific to the South Caribbean context. This project will impact more than 3,600 students and nearly 250 teachers. The total project cost is $79,000, with the MCCA providing the majority of the funding and Global Ministries contributing $20,000 from the Encounter with Christ fund.
These two initiatives represent the most recent additions to the 207 grants awarded to mission partners in Latin America and the Caribbean since 2005. For a summary of all grants awarded through 2024, [click here].
Encounter with Christ continues to raise funds for its permanent endowment to increase support for the region. To learn more, visit https://umc-encounter.org/. To make a tax-deductible donation, please visit our Donate Page.
The Rev. Dr. Douglas W. Ruffle is the Mission Interpreter for Encounter with Christ in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Media Contact
Susan Clark
Chief Communications Officer, General Board of Global Ministries
Communications@umcmission.org
