Ethnic In-Service Training
Forecasted
Ethnic In-Service Training supports persons of color through recruitment, training, and retention programs that develop lay and clergy leadership across The United Methodist Church and its ministries.
Funder: General Board of Higher Education and Ministry
Due Dates (Anticipated): April 2027 (Annual application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $10,000 in one-time seed funding for one year
Summary: Supports programs that recruit, train, and retain persons of color for leadership within The United Methodist Church and its ministries.
Key Information: Proposals must be prepared in consultation with the ethnic concerns staff team and related to the appropriate GBHEM unit.
Description
The Ethnic In-Service Training (EIST) Grant is administered by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) using funds allocated from The United Methodist Church’s World Communion Sunday offerings. It supports ethnic leadership development by strengthening recruitment, training, and retention of persons of color for leadership positions at every level of the church and its ministry, nurturing both lay and clergy leaders.
The program encourages partnerships and collaborative work in campus ministry, chaplaincy, higher education, and general agencies. GBHEM also considers innovative programs in other ministry settings, including children’s homes, retirement homes, camping and retreat centers, hospitals, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, and United Methodist Volunteers in Mission. Mentoring opportunities and learning contracts with clear goals and measurable outcomes are highly recommended.
