The Brethren Faith in Action Fund provides grants to outreach ministry projects of Church of the Brethren congregations that serve their communities, strengthen the congregation, and expand the reign of God. It was created by the Mission and Ministry Board with monies generated by sale of the upper campus of the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. Ministries that receiving grants will honor and continue the legacy of service that the center has epitomized, while also addressing the dynamics of the present age.
The fund is being managed so as to preserve principle. Investment performance and other factors will determine the total amount of available grant money each year. For more information go to www.brethren.org/faith-in-action .
The five congregations that received grants in 2018:
Rockford (Ill.) Community Church received a grant of $5,000 to support its community outreach with a mobile tech and art lab. The mobile unit is an ongoing project that offers nonviolence education and training to the local community through skill training in music and coding nonviolent computer games. The grant will underwrite expense including equipment for the labs, website hosting, software, fuel, vehicle maintenance, and trainer and driver stipends.
Alpha and Omega Church of the Brethren in Lancaster, Pa., received a grant of $5,000 to support the church’s 2018 outreach budget. The congregation’s outreach includes the following ministries: food bank, fall festival, day camp, 40-day outreach campaign, and video/Internet ministry.
Sunnybrook Church of the Brethren in Bristol, Tenn., received a $5,000 grant to support purchase of a radio station to broadcast Christian music, worship services, sermons, district announcements, and other programming. The congregation has been in negotiations with the owner to assign the license to the church in exchange for purchase of the necessary equipment. The radio station is part of the congregation’s social media outreach strategies. The congregation’s vision is to provide positive, uplifting, and encouraging Christian messages.
Eglise des Freres Haitiens Church of the Brethren in Miami, Fla., received a grant of $5,000 to support ministry outreach to its community. The congregation provides ministries that address basic human needs and evangelization to more than 350 families on a weekly basis. Each year, the number of families in need of food and assistance increases. The grant will be used for refugee assistance, an after-school program, a radio ministry, a food pantry, and to provide turkeys to families in the community.
Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne, Ind., received a grant of $5,000 to assist with replacement of aged and dilapidated playground equipment primarily used by a preschool that is a ministry of the congregation. The church offers scholarships to roughly one-third of enrolled students at the preschool. The congregation’s goal is to provide a safe, stimulating, and environmentally friendly play area for the children of the congregation, the preschool, and the neighborhood. The grant covers a portion of the approximately $15,000 total expense.