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Shari Ponder, Temekia Powell, Rachel Collins, Marcel Cantu, Cheryl Taylor and Kristi Painter at the Serenity House Garden for the EarthKeepers training in Philadelphia
Photo: John Coleman
Global Ministries EarthKeepers is a training program that guides U.S.-based United Methodists to develop and lead environmental sustainability projects in their communities. Training topics include eco-theology, antiracism, community organizing and project planning. Projects include community gardens, energy initiatives, food security projects, reforestation efforts and more.
Be equipped with United Methodist resources to lead creation care work within your community and congregation.
Learn strategies for community organizing, project planning, anti-racism, and climate justice.
Have the opportunity to apply for a grant to fund a project that will achieve measurable, positive environmental impact in one year or less.
Receive project support and technical guidance through post-training consultation from Global Ministries staff and other EarthKeepers.
Join the Global Ministries Creation Care Network, an online community of practice to support United Methodists engaged in environmental ministries.
Explore these program requirements before you apply to become an EarthKeeper.
A main component of the EarthKeepers training is developing a plan for a project idea. You must have a ready-to-develop project idea when you apply.
Common project types include:
Do you meet the eligibility requirements? Apply for the next EarthKeepers training — October 2-5, 2025 in Des Moines, Washington! Apply by August 21, 2025.
Note: Both the application and the connection form must be submitted before your application will be considered. Please send an email to environment@umcmission.org to be notified of future trainings.
Read Stories
of Impact
McDowell County is one of the poorest in the U.S., and the communities of Anawalt, Leckie and Gary are some of the hardest hit by the current six-year water crisis. All have Methodist churches that are part of the Welch Charge.
To ease the burden of residents who have to purchase many gallons of drinking water weekly, the Welch Charge contacted the West Virginia Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, Jim McCune, for help. McCune’s United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) connection put him in touch with Global Ministries’ Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program.
A WASH grant allowed them to obtain a 500-gallon “water buffalo.” The conference disaster response team arranged to fill the portable water buffalo from the Welch water system, the county seat of McDowell, and transport it to Gary, where residents have been supplied with refillable containers. Residents of all three towns can come to get water, and volunteers will also continue deliveries for those who need it. Meanwhile, residents, including church members, continue to advocate state and local officials for a permanent solution to their aging, compromised water infrastructure. Full Story
