Division on Ministries With Young People
"The Division on Ministries with Young People of the General Board of Discipleship recognizes that youth and young adults have vision and dreams for the world. These dreams are realized in the way young people live out their ministries. But sometimes these dreams are more difficult to make a reality because funding is limited.
The funding opportunities we provide for ministries with young people are for creative, innovative approaches to ministries for, with, and by young people. The purpose of these grants is to fund dynamic, creative ministries with young people that can serve as model programs for other organizations throughout the connection."
Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, 2004
The Need for Grants
With the creation of the Division on Ministries with Young People at General Conference 2004, the Church took bold steps calling on people at every level of church life to participate in making a difference in the lives of youth and young adults around the world. The population of young people continues to grow worldwide. In Sub-Saharan Africa 44 percent of the population is under the age of 15 years. In Asia (less China), 33% of the population and in Europe 17% of the population is under 15 years of age*.
The current generation of young people in the United States will be the largest in history. However, The United Methodist Church maintains only 11-12 percent of its church attendance in the 12- to 30-year-old age range†. If the concerns of young people do not become a priority in The United Methodist Church, we will become an increasingly irrelevant institution that holds no place in the lives of young people.
The Division on Ministries with Young People of the General Board of Discipleship (DMYP) sees a brighter future in The United Methodist Church than current statistics seem to indicate. We see a day in the Church when the spiritual development of young people as disciples of Jesus Christ is our primary concern. We see a day when young people are empowered, equipped, and encouraged to use their gifts in ministry and service to others. We see a day when young people are given opportunities to be in real leadership of the Church and trained in the art of leadership. We see a day when young people are given equal access to the decision making process at every level of church life.
How Grants Help
The possibilities for the future growth of our ministries for, with, and by young people are endless. But the time is now for every church, campus ministry, community, annual conference, and individual to see themselves as partners in this ministry. The only way to accomplish this task is for the Church, on all fronts, to unite behind this mission and share with young people everywhere the Good News of God's unconditional love in Christ.
The funds available through the grants for young people are designed to enable creative, lifetransforming ministries with young people to take hold and begin to spread the fire and passion for this ministry throughout the denomination. Funded projects will address the causes of critical issues related to young people in their local context, with an eye toward how their work can have a broad impact on the priorities of The United Methodist Church in a broader context.
CLICK HERE to download a grant application. The deadline to apply is July 1st.
Additional Information
To learn more, contact:
Division on Ministries with Young People
General Board of Discipleship
P.O. Box 340003
Nashville, TN 37203-0003
Phone: 877-899-2780, Ext. 7184 or 615-340-7184
Fax: 615-340-7063
* 2004 World Population Data Sheet, 2004 Population Reference Bureau
*World Population: More Than Numbers, 2004 Population Reference Bureau
Who Attends UM Congregations: A Report of Attendance, Stephen Craig This, Louisville, KY 2001