American Baptist Churches of New York State Ministry and Mission Fund Strengthening the Kingdom of God one congregation at a time
WHAT IS IT FOR? The Region supports churches in five areas through this fund. The Executive Minister is the initial contact person responsible for administering the five components of this fund. The five components of the fund are:
Psalm Fund: This fund assists our pastors and congregations with unforeseen emergency financial needs. It also can be used for assisting churches with underfunded leadership. To apply for a grant from the PSALM Fund contact Jim Kelsey at [email protected] or 315-863-7336.
New Pastor Institute: This fund provides orientation and support as new pastors transition to the Region. This fund is not available for individual grants.
Lynette Martin Fund: This fund provides grants to church leaders, both lay and clergy, who are pursuing continuing education experiences to enhance their leadership and ministry skills. To apply for a grant the Lynette Martin Fund, complete the application at https://www.abc-nys.org/lynette-martin-educational-fund.html. Then send the application to Jim Kelsey at [email protected] or ABCNYS, 3218 James Street, Syracuse NY 13206.
Keith Griffin Youth Leadership Fund: This fund provides support for the youth and congregational youth leaders of our ABC/NYS churches who are pursuing training in discipleship and, in some cases, can be used to underwrite mission trip experiences. This fund can also be used to underwrite youth events and programs in local congregations. Then send the application to Jim Kelsey at[email protected]or ABCNYS, 3218 James Street, Syracuse NY 13206. By making application, you agree to provide follow-up information to the Region after 6 months after the distribution of funds or at such time that the initiative is completed, if sooner than 6 months.
Mission Support, Evangelism and Renewal: This fund provides funding for Region-wide, Association, and other single and multi-church events and seminars. Grants from this fund can also be used to fund new ministries, mission and/or evangelism efforts that address the needs of people outside the church.
The guidelines to for applying for a grant from this fund are as follows:
The request must come from the Pastor or an elected official/leadership group of the church.
The grant application must be for ministry/mission endeavors that are projects conducted by the local church or overseen by the local church.
Grants can be made for a range of activities such as (a) participation in local, national, or international mission trips or (b) the initiation or expansion of local church outreach ministries. These outreach activities could include such things as evangelistic effort, food pantries, clothing closets, community gardens, tutoring programs, children’s programs, community picnics, etc. Use your imagination.
The church needs to provide evidence of the sustainability of the project.
The church needs to identify how it will maintain accountability of the funds of the grant
A Progress Report will be required three months after the distribution of funds.
Region support for mission and outreach projects should be in no way construed for political means.
Pastors and lay leaders seeking additional continuing education opportunities or financial support for mission and other church related endeavors may be able to find support through the grant programs.
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NOTE: Unless otherwise noted, ABC/NYS is not directly involved with the terms, administration or decisions of the below listed funds. Please refer to the appropriate grant fund contacts with your questions.
Congregational Ministry: Louise Burchard Pierce Memorial Fund The American Baptist Home Mission Societies administers grants to enhance the ministry and outreach of ABCUSA congregations located in New York State, with priority given to rural congregations. To learn more, please contact [email protected].