The Annual Conference Workbook is Now Available! Click Here to Learn More

News

Fall New Places for New People Grant Cycle Now Open

News

In the Missouri Conference, we recognize God is doing new things to reach people in fresh new ways. We refer to these ways as New Places for New People (NPNP). These come in a variety of forms and can take place both in-person and virtually. We are committed to multiplying disciples of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19) by providing resources and support to pastors and laity that have a desire to start something new that will reach new people.

During the spring grant cycle, the Center for Congregational Excellence awarded nearly $60,000 in funds to 11 local churches for new small groups, missional communities, worship services and recovery ministries. Those recipients were:
  • Cassidy UMC
  • Fairfax UMC
  • First UMC (Marshall)
  • New Hope UMC (Arnold)
  • North Cross UMC (Kansas City)
  • North Park UMC (St. Louis)
  • North Star UMC
  • Pathways UMC (Springfield)
  • Peculiar UMC
  • Trinity UMC (Piedmont)
  • Versailles UMC
Applications are open for the fall New Places Grant cycle and are due on October 1. Funds are available for several types of new places for new people, and the list now includes an option for collaborative parish. The Center for Congregational Excellence is excited to announce an increase to the grant amounts available for each type of new place.

“We see the ways Missouri churches are leaning into what God is calling them to do and reaching out to their communities as a result,” says Rev. Mark Sheets, director for the Center of Congregational Excellence at the Missouri Conference. “The Center for Congregational Excellence is excited to support this fruitful work through an increase in available grant funds,”

Steps to Apply

  1. Explore what type of new place for new people your project fits within:
  2. Fill out the grant worksheet
  3. Send the completed worksheet to your District Superintendent for approval and signature.
  4. Gather the appropriate documents and your answers from the worksheet. Copy your answers into the online application and upload the documents as directed.
Learn more at www.moumethodist.org/newplacesgrants.

The Center for Congregational Excellence offers grants twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall, and the amounts given out vary by the type of grant requested. Submit your grant application by October 1 to the online form. We look forward to reading your applications!

* A collaborative parish is a relationship between at least two congregations in which resources are shared. This could be in the form of a connection, partnership or a campus. For the benefit of this grant, we are considering a collaborative relationship where a more resourced congregation shares resources with a less resourced congregation. A connection collaborative relationship share at least two out of these three elements: Preaching, administrative support or pastoral care. A partnership collaborative relationship shares all three elements of the connection level and other ministries or programs.