ATLANTA – United Methodist churches in the U.S. will have the opportunity to help immigrants, migrants and refugees living in their local communities again in 2025. The United Methodist Committee on Relief’s (UMCOR) Mustard Seed Migration Grant program, now in its fifth year, provides congregations with up to $2,000 for a one-time, community-based service project.

“As Jesus shares in his parable, small mustard seeds have the potential to grow into something pervasive that spreads throughout a field,” said Roland Fernandes, general secretary of Global Ministries and UMCOR. “Since the start of the program, we have seen United Methodist churches learn more about immigrants, migrants and refugees in their communities and address their needs through these grants. The ‘seed’ of welcoming strangers has been planted in new and unique ways in congregations around the country.”

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until Sept. 1, 2025. Up to 100 churches will be awarded a grant on a first-come first-serve basis. Churches that have completed a Mustard Seed project in the past are welcome to reapply. Monies will be dispersed within four weeks of application approval and the project must be completed within six months.

“Now, more than ever, UMC congregations need to learn about migrants by working with them in their own communities. Now, more than ever, migrants need to feel welcomed and loved by their neighbors,” said the Rev. Jack Amick, director of Global Migration for UMCOR. “Mustard Seed Migration Grants can help congregations that wish to walk on a journey together with migrants.” 

Examples of projects completed by United Methodist churches in 2024 include:

First United Methodist Church in Troy, MI, helped resettle a recently arrived refugee family by providing furnishings and household items. Volunteers helped install items in the home which greatly helped the family’s transition during a difficult time.

Brookstown United Methodist Church in Pfafftown, NC, provided support to a Haitian family that needed stable housing, English as a Second Language pre-school and further integration into the community. 

Charleroi United Methodist Church in Charleroi, PA, created a clothing ministry to offer coats, gloves, bedding, towels and other essential clothing to immigrant families in need.

Legacy United Methodist Church in Bismarck, ND, provided refugees with cookware and cooking classes alongside longtime local residents which helped a “dish exchange” among Bismarck locals and refugees.

For the full list of 2024 recipients, click here.

To learn more about the program requirements and to apply online, click here.

Contact mustardseed@umcor.org with questions or for more information.

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About the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)

Founded in 1940, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is the global humanitarian relief and development agency of The United Methodist Church. A part of United Methodist Global Ministries, UMCOR works in more than 80 countries worldwide, including the United States and its territories. The agency’s mission, grounded in the teachings of Jesus, is to alleviate human suffering with open hearts and minds to all people. Working in the areas of disaster response and recovery and migration, UMCOR responds to natural or civil disasters that are interruptions of such magnitude that they overwhelm a community’s ability to recover on its own.

Humanitarian Relief & Recovery North America Press Release