This year’s first set of grants from the Brethren Faith in Action Fund (BFIA) have been announced, going to five Church of the Brethren congregations including GraceWay International Community, Harrisburg First, Highland Avenue, Ivester, and Sebring.
Formed by funds generated from the sale of the upper campus of the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., the BFIA provides grants to fund outreach ministry projects of Church of the Brethren congregations and camps that honor and continue the center’s legacy of service while also addressing the dynamics of the present age. For more information and how to apply go to www.brethren.org/faith-in-action
GraceWay International Community Church of the Brethren is receiving $5,000 for its community outreach to share the gospel with neighbors who reside in nearby housing complexes. The church’s plan for the outreach is in several steps: first to ensure that leaders responsible for the communities in the housing complexes are aware of the program; second to mobilize volunteers from GraceWay’s membership; third to ensure volunteers are well-trained to value compassionate witness to the brokenhearted and the unchurched. These steps also include a time of prayer for God’s wisdom. Planned activities include an outdoor school activity, the Peace and Reconciliation Club; “Adopt a Block” Apartment Housing Evangelism, aimed at connecting with the numerous homes and housing complexes in the community; using the GraceWay Café as an outreach arm of the project; providing backpacks and school supplies for students; hosting Vacation Bible School festivals; and offering hospitality by sharing beverages, meals, and snacks.
Harrisburg First Church of the Brethren is receiving $4,500 for The Shalom Summit held on Feb. 22 as a transformative event for the congregation and the broader Christian community. The summit equipped and inspired Christian leaders with practical tools for expanding God’s shalom in their communities, offering both biblical teaching and practical skills for social change, strengthening the church’s mission to serve, and transforming the community in pursuit of God’s reign. The summit was an educational space offering resources and networking opportunities for those committed to racial justice but lacking structured support to grow and be challenged in this area. The approach also went beyond education, creating sustainable and ongoing infrastructure.
Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren is receiving $5,000 for its support to newcomers in need in the local community. During 2024, the church participated in a task force of a local ministerial group assembling “welcome kits” of bedding, kitchen, and bath supplies for families of newcomers. In 2025, with the help of this grant, additional families can benefit from welcome kits, weekly food pantry meal boxes, and hot meals. The program is in partnership with a number of local and area nonprofits. The purpose is to assess any special food needs for new families and to determine the support needed for them to eat nutritiously, with sensitivity to cultural meal preferences. The goal is to provide 100 welcome boxes, food, and hot meals over a 9-month period in 2025.
Ivester Church of the Brethren is receiving $4,500 for a meal ministry combined with worship called “First Sundays.” Since 2022, the church has been involved in a community meal program held at Camp Pine Lake to have space to include worship. The program has undergone several transitions in recent years. Despite the changes, it consistently serves approximately 200 people monthly. Volunteers from Catholic and Baptist churches help out, along with neighbors and friends. The extension of the ministry is to invite people, especially children, to register for the community worshipful gathering. The curriculum will have a peace and justice lens with a few sessions specializing in gun violence. Even in rural Iowa, there have been two deaths from gun violence in the past two years. The congregation wants to open a space for dialogue and healing and have contacted On Earth Peace about preparing for this time. Camp Pine Lake recently purchased an old school bus, and several church members and friends of the camp are licensed to drive, allowing for scheduled pickups to the meal and worship.
Sebring Church of the Brethren is receiving $5,000 to upgrade the church’s sound system in support of outreach ministries, primarily the Wednesday Night Get Fed ministry. The dinner program currently feeds 70-plus people per week, mainly from the community, with physical and spiritual food. The congregation also is trying to reach out to people at events around the community in innovative ways. The congregation is located in the poorest county in Florida, and many residents struggle to make ends meet with housing and food costs. The church is helping with the food bills but has extended beyond that to offering prayer. Providing a hot meal on Wednesdays has proven vital to many people. Several successful Bible studies started from the programs, and the church wants to extend and develop worship, fellowship, and spiritual nurture with the community meal. A new sound system is essential to develop and enhance the program.
#MissionAndMinistryBoard #StrategicPlan #RacialJustice #LoveOurNeighbors #Discipleship #NewTestamentGiving
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