April 14, 2003

NASHVILLE - Twelve projects addressing concerns of young people will receive grants through programs related to the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

The diverse projects include a ministry supporting military personnel and their families in Fayetteville, N.C., and a program addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Liberian refugee camps. Eight new projects and four renewing projects will share more than $120,000. The grants were awarded from the board's portion of the denomination's Shared Mission Focus on Young People initiative.

"There are so many worthy projects," said the Rev. Lillian Smith, executive with the board's campus ministry section and member of the funding team. Even though some projects were not approved because of lack of funds, she said it was rewarding "to help projects with seed money and to support new and innovative ministries."

The group examined 77 proposals from the current funding cycle, and 13 progress reports from 2002 projects.

The review team selected the following new projects for funding during the 2003 cycle:

. Summer Internship and Vocational Reflection Curriculum for the Wesley Foundation at the University of Virginia.

. Exploring Theological Education and Ministry for the San Antonio United Methodist Campus Ministry.

. To Unite in Love and Action, benefiting young people in the North Central Philippines Annual Conference Youth Organization.

. Invitation into Servant Leadership in the North Katanga/West Ohio Annual Conference Partnership.

. River's Edge at the University of Memphis' Wesley Foundation.

. The Theater Arts Program at Vanderbilt University's Wesley Foundation in Nashville, Tenn.

. Frontline, a ministry supporting military personnel and their families in Fayetteville, N.C.

. The Mission Internship Program, involving the Bishops' Initiative on Children and Poverty, the Board of Ordained Ministry, and the Red Bird Missionary and Kentucky Annual Conferences.

Because of their success last year the following projects were recommended for continued funding for an additional year:

. The Liberian Refugees HIV/AIDS Prevention Program, a project that provides training for young people in Sierra Leone and Liberia to educate their peers and community about the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

. The Residential Community for Vocational Discernment, which provides a residential community for undergraduate students at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, who are seeking to discern God's call in their lives.

. New Visions Summer Companies, which supports a team of college and seminary students who receive intensive training in various Baltimore communities, working with inner-city ministries.

. Jericho Road/Uptown Thursday Night, which engage students in work projects before or after they get involved in the local drug culture in Richmond, Ky. Uptown Thursday Night interacts with students as they leave the bars through a ministry of hospitality, prayer walks, and helping young people connect knowledge and vital piety.

The total amount of funds projected for this year's cycle is $120,650, with remaining money to be distributed during the 2004 cycle.

United Methodist News Service
Information for this story was provided by Pamela Crosby, assistant editor and writer for the Office of Interpretation, Board of Higher Education and Ministry, Nashville, Tenn.