VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 2/14/12)—Congregations, regions and community ministries related to American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) are invited to apply for 2012 grants from American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) for support of programs that address needs of children living in poverty in their local communities.

At least 10 grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 will be distributed.

Last year’s 22 grants totaling $50,000 were awarded to children’s ministries from the state of Washington to the island of Puerto Rico. The impact of the grant program was expanded through a generous $10,000 gift from The First Baptist Church (FBC) of Royal Oak (Mich.) Mission Fund, under the auspices of Genesis: The Church. (FBC of Royal Oak and Genesis: The Church merged in 2010.)

ABHMS’ 2011 grants supported tutoring programs, educational enrichment, summer outreach and ministries to children of Burma refugees. In 2012, ABHMS seeks projects that address quality public school education, access to quality health care and support for caregivers to find employment that provides livable wages. Special attention, however, will be given to programs that focus on partnerships with public schools in the 2012-2013 school year.

This is the fourth year that ABHMS has awarded Children in Poverty grants aimed at helping the 14 million and more children growing up with inadequate resources to nurture their God-given potential.

Grant application packets are available at www.abhms.org > Ministries & Programs > Children in Poverty or by calling the Rev. Lisa Harris at 800-222-3872, x2158.

Proposals must be postmarked April 25, 2012, or earlier; applications will not be accepted via email.

ABHMS—the domestic mission arm of ABCUSA—ministers as the caring heart and serving hands of Jesus Christ across the United States and Puerto Rico through a multitude of initiatives that focus on discipleship, community and justice.

American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with 5,500 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.