ATLANTA – Multiethnic Ministries, a joint program of both Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry, has announced 10 U.S. conferences as recipients of the 2026 Racial/Ethnic Local Church (RELC) and Multiethnic Ministries grants. These grants range from $10,000 to $20,000 and focus on programs to develop racial/ethnic leadership and church growth.
New this year is a shift to annual conference administration of both types of grants. This shift makes it possible for conferences to coordinate programming across districts, distributing support in ways tailored to the needs and cultures of their regions.
Six Multiethnic grants were awarded to the following conferences across the five U.S. jurisdictions.
- Indiana Conference – Cross-Racial, Cross-Cultural Awareness Training: Supports the well-being and leadership development of ethnic clergy by providing opportunities for spiritual renewal, peer connection, and continuing education. Through retreat and learning opportunities, clergy will be strengthened for effective ministry in diverse congregations and communities.
- Eastern Pennsylvania – Racial/Ethnic Leadership Training: Equips racial-ethnic clergy and lay leaders across the Eastern Pennsylvania and Greater New Jersey conferences with leadership formation, spiritual grounding, and practical ministry strategies to increase leadership effectiveness, reduce isolation, and strengthen capacity to sustain and grow congregations serving diverse communities.
- Arkansas Conference –Sustainability Mentoring Future Leaders Cohort: Equips a new generation of leaders within racial/ethnic churches by building on the Black Church Initiative’s work of mentoring, youth engagement, and leadership development – connecting young people to faith, community, and purpose while strengthening the long-term vitality of Black churches in Arkansas. (Phase II grant)
- South Georgia Conference – Cross-Cultural/Multiethnic Leadership and Ministry Development: Supports roundtable discussions with clergy, laity, and community leaders to strengthen existing and create new multicultural ministries. Through collaboration and planning, participants will develop inclusive leadership, build cross-cultural relationships, and launch sustainable ministries. The grant will also expand adult leadership and the youth/young adult “Lead in Our City” Internship.
- North Alabama Conference – Developing Ethnic Local Spiritual Leaders: Develops generative ethnic spiritual leaders who multiply lay leadership and revitalize underperforming ministries. This initiative equips leaders with the skills and formation needed to cultivate discipleship, strengthen congregational health, and launch fruitful, community-oriented ministries.
- Mountain Sky Conference – Laity of Color Retreat: Brings laity of color across four states together for connection, worship, leadership training, empowerment, and working together to discern how to better support one another.
The following five conferences received Racial/Ethnic Local Church (RELC) grants.
- Michigan Conference – Racial Ethnic Program Support: The Dream Big project supports local racial/ethnic congregations that have identified ongoing and new outreach programs and ministries that connect the church to the larger community.
- East Ohio Conference – Un-design the Redline: “Un-Design the Redline” is a collaborative, multicongregational redevelopment initiative focused on strengthening and revitalizing Black congregations located in communities historically impacted by redlining and disinvestment. Rooted in the conviction that the church is both a spiritual and community anchor, this program equips racial-ethnic congregations to reimagine their physical assets, ministry models, and community partnerships for sustainable growth and transformative witness.
- Arkansas Conference – Sharing and Caring: Provides resources and support for emerging and existing local ethnic and multicultural ministries in leadership development and training, new program/ministry implementation, community outreach, and staff support.
- South Carolina Conference – Looking Upward and Moving Forward: Strengthens and revitalizes racial-ethnic churches by developing children, youth, and young adult ministries through leadership training, mentorship, and community engagement. This model has been designed by a pilot congregation, St. Mark UMC. The goal is to implement this plan with St. Mark and replicate it in three additional congregations.
- West Ohio Conference – Greenhouse Leadership Development: Equip emerging racial-ethnic leaders from diverse cultural backgrounds through contextual training and support, enabling the birth, revitalization, and strengthening of culturally rooted congregations that reflect and serve their communities.
For more information about grants that support multiethnic and racial/ethnic communities and how conferences can apply for them, visit Multiethnic Ministries on our website. Local church leaders should contact their conference office to discover how to participate in the grants listed above.
Multiethnic Ministries — Global Ministries
Global Ministries has a theological commitment to partnering with communities of all racial and ethnic backgrounds to join in God’s mission together. This commitment is grounded in Methodist theological heritage and a belief that people of all backgrounds are called to be active participants in God’s mission with unique gifts to offer in that work. Global Ministries connects the church in mission by partnering with United Methodists congregations, annual conferences, and other bodies as they join in God’s mission.
Media Contacts:Â
Susan ClarkÂ
Chief Communications OfficerÂ
Communications@umcmission.orgÂ
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Dr. Dana LylesÂ
Executive Director, Multiethnic MinistriesÂ
mem@umcmission.orgÂ
