VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 11/5/12)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) is calling for letters of intent from those interested in applying for American Baptist Foundation-administered 2012 grants from the Virginia and Gordon Palmer Jr. Trust. Awards will range from $10,000 to $15,000.
With the theme of “Discipleship: Engaging the 18 to 29 Year Old Community,” this year’s grant cycle seeks to fund special projects and programs of American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA)-related colleges, universities and institutions.
Individuals 18-29 are in the “black hole” of church attendance, according to the Barna Group, while, at the same time, struggling with critical life decisions regarding higher education, military service, marriage, procreation, parenting and faith, among others for which the church could serve as a source of support and counsel. It is important for this and future generations that these young people stay connected to the church, therefore, this year’s Palmer grant proposals should identify best ministry practices aimed at this age group.
A project must be:
• an existing ministry project worthy of further study or a new project addressing the adaptive challenge of how best to engage this age group;
• conducted under the auspices of a church, institution or organization related to ABCUSA; and
• completed within a 12-month time frame.
In addition, grant recipients must be willing to share their stories and learnings with a gathering of ABHMS and the foundation in winter/spring 2014.
The deadline for letters of intent is Dec. 14, 2012. Please do not submit a full grant application at this time. Those who submit a letter will be notified by Jan. 13, 2013, as to whether to complete an application packet.
For additional information, download the “Request for Letters of Intent” booklet at www.abhms.org (look in slideshow) or call the foundation office at 1-800-222-3872, x2035.
American Baptist Home Mission Societies—the domestic mission arm of American Baptist Churches USA (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 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.