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Introducing The Foundation for Evangelism Laity Award

The Foundation for Evangelism announces the launch of the Laity Evangelism Award, continuing a 45-year tradition of honoring lay persons with exceptional evangelistic ministries that bring people into a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. The Laity Evangelism Award expands the Foundation's previous award program, welcoming the larger pan-Wesleyan/Methodist family of denominations to celebrate the inspirational and transformational ministry of lay people of all ages who have a passion for evangelism and are in their community participating in and sharing God's abundant life.

Nominations for The Foundation for Evangelism Laity Award will be received by denominational regional bodies (annual conference, district, episcopal area, etc.) with one individual selected per area. Following the selection of award recipients, up to 20 awardees from across all denominations will be chosen to receive a $1,000 grant toward their evangelism ministry.

2025 Equipping the Local Church Grant Cycle Receives over 200 applications

The application period for the 2025 Equipping the Local Church Grants closed February 28. The Foundation's grants team shared the following breakdown for this year's grant cycle:

231 applications received

34 U.S. States

8 Wesleyan-tradition denominations

The grants team is now assembling a reading panel which will review eligible applications. The recipients of the 2025 Equipping the Local Church Grants will be announced in June.

Pictured above - 2024 grant recipients:

Left: Smith Metro A.M.E. Zion Church in Statesville, Ga., used their grant to support a new ministry called "Lifting While Unlocking: Physical and Spiritual Transitioning from Incarceration" which equips men and women recently released from the Dept of Corrections with the tools to become successful citizens.

Right: Covenant Methodist Church in Spring, Texas, started Missional Small Groups through their ConNEXT Steps ministry and began offering "Even I Can Do It" evangelism training for leaders of their growing English/Spanish as a Second Language classes. This has empowered volunteers in this program to share the gospel relationally through the friendships they build with student. They also provide Bible Study, financial and parenting classes; and they are preparing to launch a Citizenship Preparation Program.

A Timeless Resource for a Wesleyan Way of Evangelism

Transforming Evangelism: The Wesleyan Way of Sharing Faith was released in English in 2006, and Spanish in 2021, with the financial support of The Foundation for Evangelism. Now, nearly 2 decades since its original printing it is still being used by small groups and individuals. Two (Foundation-supported) E. Stanley Jones Professors of Evangelism co-authored the book which takes readers on a journey to examine John Wesley's model of evangelism by reaching out, welcoming, inviting, nurturing - speaking to head, hands and heart.

The Foundation for Evangelism's Thriving Congregations spring cohort will be using the study as part of their transformational work. You can view our video series from 2023 featuring co-author Rev. Dr. Hal Knight and use as a companion resource for the book.

The Foundation for Evangelism's Catalyst Campaign kicked off in late 2024 with 90% of funds raised for the initial phase of grant funding! We are nearly there!

As the only Wesleyan-tradition foundation whose main focus is to engage laity, raise up gospel leaders, and equip local churches, we invest in evangelism training and resources at all levels of church leadership, equipping disciples for an ever-changing ministry landscape!

Will you join us to invite even more people into life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ?

Let’s BE A CATALYST together!