Credit: Vietnam Mission Initiative

Multiethnic Ministries

The Multiethnic Ministries program supports multiethnic and racial-ethnic congregations as they reach out in mission and ministry in their local communities. A variety of partners and people make up Global Ministries’ multiethnic networks.

Proud homeowner Monte Payne stands in front of his brick bungalow in Little Rock, Ark. Hoover credits the programs at Theressa Hoover United Methodist Church for his recovery from addiction and his growing faith. Photo by Songhai Nelson/Better Community Development, Inc. Accompanies UMNS story #284. 10/11/12.

Community Developers Program

The Community Developers Program (CDP) is a network of racial ethnic congregations throughout the United States committed to advancing the church’s capacity to be in mission and in partnership with the communities in which they are located.

The Rev. Sam Park at the pulpit of ReNew UMC, a new church venture that started in January 2019. ReNew was partially funded by a grant from the Korean Ministry Plan. Photo: Katrina Kim

Racial-Ethnic Ministry Plans

Global Ministries administers four of the racial ethnic ministry plans as authorized by The United Methodist Church through General Conference.

MULTIETHNIC MINISTRIES GRANTS

Grants from different sources make possible the support and growth of ministries that communities might not otherwise have an opportunity to develop. Available grants, deadlines and applications are listed below. For more information about any of these grants, please email Dana Lyles at mem@umcmission.org.

Grant Name	Description/Who Can Apply	Application/Deadline
Asian American Language Ministry grants	These grants are awarded to Asian American churches or groups in The United Methodist Church. Grant applications should focus on one of the four areas: leadership development, church growth and revitalization, language resources or ministry with the poor.	Applications accepted monthly. View application guidelines HERE. View grant application HERE.
Community Developers Program (CDP) Seed grants	These grants are awarded to local racial ethnic congregations to discern the willingness and ability to become a CDP site. Salary/stipend support of up to $15,000 can be granted, and seed grants of up to $10,000 can be used for, but are not limited to the following: · Community mapping · Congregation and community engagement · Community assessment · Creating and expanding community partnerships · Recruiting volunteers to work toward making systemic changes · Asset-based community development · Advocacy and social justice.	Applications accepted monthly. View more information and apply.
Community Engagement grants – United Methodist Voluntary Service (UMVS)	These grants, funded by the Human Relations Day Special Sunday Offering each year, serve as a resource to volunteer-based groups and programs that challenge unjust political, social, and economic systems that threaten the livelihoods of people of low socioeconomic status, as well as racial-ethnic communities. Grants can be used for short-term (less than 1 year) community-based outreach programs and events and provide financial resources of up to $15,000 per congregation, annual conference or mission partner.	Applications accepted monthly. View application HERE.
Multiethnic Ministries grants	These grants of up to $10,000 are provided to assist annual conferences with programs focusing on racial-ethnic leadership development and racial-ethnic church growth and development.	January 2, 2024 – March 1, 2024 Application will be posted October 2023.
Native American Ministries grants	These grants, funded from the Native American Ministries Special Sunday Offering each year, support congregational growth and mission outreach among Native American congregations. This funding assists local churches and conferences with outreach and community ministries, revitalization and discipleship formation, salary supplement, and building repairs and expansions.	Applications accepted monthly. View application HERE.
Pacific Islander Ministry Plan grants	These grants resource and strengthen the growth and development of Pacific Islander churches and ministries within the U.S. Grants are awarded for congregational development, leadership development and language resources.	Applications accepted monthly. View Pacific Islander Ministry Plan application HERE. View Pacific Islander Ministry Plan YOUTH application HERE.
Racial-Ethnic Local Church grant	These grants assist local congregations with projects and programs focusing on leadership development, church growth and development, ministry with the poor and health ministries. Grant recipients can receive up to $15,000 for programmatic grants, or up to $10,000 for one-year salary support. Applicant churches must have at least a 51% majority nonwhite congregation.	January 2 – March 1, 2024 Application will be posted October 2023.

Support the work of evangelism and church revitalization

Read Stories of Impact

New Community Developers Program model fosters collaboration
Congregations within the five annual conferences accepted into the 2021 CDP cohort will work collaboratively in communities on issues of advocacy and social justice.
Feeding the 5,000 (weekly) in New York
A few grants and strong connections opened UMC food pantries and kitchens in key underserved areas of New York during the pandemic.
Grants to help at-risk children in Louisville
Two grants totaling $20,000 will allow four United Methodist churches in struggling Louisville neighborhoods to provide food, education assistance and psychological counseling to at-risk children.