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Mustard Seed Grants

WELCOMING THE STRANGER IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE U.S.

Maria Chavalan Sut, a refugee fleeing violence in Guatemala, found sanctuary and was a beneficiary of a Mustard Seed Migration Grant at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Charlottesville, Virginia. 

Photo: Courtesy of Maria Chavalan Sut

UMCOR’s Mustard Seed Migration Grant program encourages U.S.-based United Methodist churches to engage in community-based ministries with migrants and refugees in their midst.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed …” — Matthew 13:31

Tiny mustard seeds, as Jesus described in his parable, have the potential to grow into something big or pervasive that spreads throughout a field. By learning more about migrants in local communities and addressing their needs through these grants, we hope that the “seed” of welcoming strangers might be planted in new ways in United Methodist congregations around the country.

Apply for a 2025 Mustard Seed Migration Grant

“Welcome the stranger” in your community with a grant of up to $2,000 for a new, one-time community-based service project and ministry focused on migrants and refugees. Applications will be reviewed and approved on a rolling basis until Sept. 2, 2025 or until all 100 grants have been disbursed.

Mustard Seed Migration Grants in Action

Watch these videos to discover how participating churches across the country have used their Mustard Seed Migration Grants to care for vulnerable migrants and refugees in their communities.

Meeting Christ at the table

In Bismarck, South Dakota, Legacy United Methodist Church is supporting Ukrainian refugees through shared meals and transportation assistance.

A clothing shopping event for families

Emory Fellowship, a United Methodist congregation in Washington, D.C., hosted a free clothing shopping event for 100 migrant families at a local school.

Bicycles for Refugees program

A coalition of United Methodist churches in Albany, New York provided transportation to refugee families for employment, shopping and general transportation through their Bicycles for Refugees program.

Explore Our Other Migration Ministries

Learn how we provide support for migrants and refugees around the world.