Texas Baptist Mission Foundation awards $242,000 in ministry grants

DALLAS - The Texas Baptist Mission Foundation has awarded $242,000 in grants to be used for ministry by Texas Baptists ministry staff in 2017.

In August, the TBMF Council considered and approved 28 grant requests, funded by undesignated donor gifts, to be used for ministry projects by Texas Baptists, Texas Baptist Men and WMU of Texas.

“We are so thankful for our donors and their generosity,” said Bill Arnold, president of the Foundation, “These grants help fund new and creative ways of ministry that could not otherwise happen.”

Projects range from small church scholarships for church architecture consultations to Disaster Recovery efforts in Houston and Southeast Texas. Several grant recipients presented at the council meeting and shared about innovative new areas of ministry.

Ali Hearon, Hunger and Care Ministries Specialist for the Christian Life Commission, spoke to council members about a new partnership with East Texas Baptist University for a Neighborhood Renewal Initiative. 

ETBU is forming a partnership with the City of Marshall to mobilize students to rebuild deteriorating homes in the community. The $10,000 grant will be used to purchase tools for the project which will be used for years to come as the work expands. 

“This is a project which invites ETBU students to make a difference in the community of Marshall and help to provide affordable housing for residents,” said Hearon. “As we partner with ETBU, this project will help change lives of students, staff and community members. Not only will students gain new skills, but they will also learn what it looks like to make a difference and invest in their community.” 

Another new initiative through WMU of Texas involves the creation of a Christian Teen Job Corps, similar to the successful efforts of Christian Women and Men Job Corps around the state. This project will provide job training for youth seeking to enter the workforce. 

The funds will also help provide a mobile medical clinic for use in the Rio Grande Valley and support a special program focused on strengthening families called Raising Highly Capable Kids.

“It’s a privilege to partner Mission Foundation dollars with Cooperative Program and Mary Hill Davis State Mission funds to bring glory to God and make a difference for His kingdom,” said Arnold.