The Nashville District of the Tennessee Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (Nashville District) is the recipient of a $10,000 Equipping the Local Church Grant from The Foundation for Evangelism. Chosen from over 100 applications, the proposal for the Nashville District was one of 31 grant proposals chosen for the 2022 inaugural grant cycle, which awarded $230,000 in grant funding to small and medium-sized churches or multiple churches working together.
The Rev. Dr. Marcellus A. Norris, Executive Director of the AME Department of Church Growth and Development, procured the grant. The grant will impact six AME Churches in Nashville, Tennessee, on the Nashville District: St. Phillip, St. Matthew, St. Luke, St. Peter, St. Paul, and New Salem. It will provide these churches with additional funds for evangelism initiatives and operational projects. The grant funds will allow these churches to expand their ministry focus and the AME Church to the forefront in each community they serve. The six pastors will be leading this effort with Dr. Norris. This area is a part of the 13th Episcopal District of the AME Church, led by Bishop E. Anne Henning Byfield.
“The Foundation for Evangelism is looking forward to partnering with the Nashville District as they implement their project throughout the coming year. Seeing clergy and laity working together to invite their community into a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ is exciting,” said the Rev. Dr. Heather Lear, Vice President for Grant Administration.
“One of the AME Department of Church Growth and Development goals is to provide churches with resources to help grow and develop every area of ministry, where they can make a difference in each community. We applied for the grant in hopes of encouraging pastors and laity in building the Kingdom of God in this present age. It is our hope that this project is only the first in a series of local church development initiatives,” stated the Rev. Dr. Marcellus A. Norris
About The Equipping the Local Church Grant
The Foundation for Evangelism’s Equipping the Local Church Grant has categories for $5,000, $7,500, and $10,000 awarded to small and medium church congregations or clusters of churches working together in a Wesleyan-tradition denomination. Selected applicants must show how the grant can launch an experiment or initiative to share the Gospel, tell their faith stories, and invite others into a relationship with Jesus. For more information about The Foundation for Evangelism, visit foundationforevangelism.org.
About the Department of Church Growth and Development
For over 60 years, the Department of Church Growth and Development has held to the principle of teaching and training AME clergy and laity in evangelism and discipleship that leads to spiritual growth in our members and a numeric increase in our congregations. The Department aims to assist AME clergy and laity in leading all people to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as one’s savior through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
About the Nashville District of the Tennessee Annual Conference of the AME Church
The Nashville District consists of 15 churches in the Nashville, Tennessee, area, led by Presiding Elder Rev. Anica Howard.
Organization Contact:
Rev. Dr. Marcellus A. Norris, 615-997-3965, drnorris@amechurchgrowth.org
The Foundation for Evangelism Contact:
Barby Bowser, Communications
(828) 454-6800
communications@foundationforevangelism.org
