Methodist projects granted more than £1 million support by Benefact Trust
16 May 2023
Grants totalling more than £1 million have been awarded to the Methodist Church by Benefact Trust, giving a huge boost to a range of significant Methodist projects. A grant of £500,000 will support projects that are part of the Methodist Way of Life and a grant of £300,000 will help to support 3Generate, The Methodist Children and Youth Assembly.
Other grants from Benefact Trust to the Methodist Church include £100,000 to support training courses for Superintendents and Ministers with a further £200,000 for the supervision aspect of this work and £50,000 for the provision of online conferencing licenses.
Benefact Trust exists to make a positive and transformative difference to people's lives by funding, guiding, and celebrating the work of churches and Christian charities. Benefact Trust’s funds are derived from ownership of the Benefact Group - a specialist financial services organisation. Benefact Trust’s Methodist Grants Programme is funded primarily by donations from Methodist Insurance PLC.
The Revd Dr Jonathan Hustler, Secretary of the Methodist Conference, thanked Benefact Trust for its contribution to the work of the Church, saying, “Once again, I am grateful to Benefact Trust for its generosity to the Methodist Church which has been transformative, helping us in a number of ways to continue to fulfil Our Calling.”
A Methodist Way of Life provides a set of commitments and practices that encourage and equip people to live a better Christian life. It is being signposted as a major resource for developing pathways for growth in discipleship.
The £500,000 grant will support A Methodist Way of Life through the ecumenical Thy Kingdom Come project, prayer courses, experiential days such as re-imagining Prayer and a series of webinars.
The Revd Andy Fishburn, Discipleship and Faith Formation Officer, commented; “We are incredibly grateful for the generous grant from Benefact Trust to support the work of resourcing A Methodist Way of Life. This will help us to establish a framework for discipleship that will help all to recognise and express the grace of God at work in their lives, and to hear God’s challenge to us to be transformed by God’s grace.”
Last year, 3Generate attracted over a thousand young people between 4 and 18 years of age, along with more than 250 volunteers. The £300,000 grant will be spent on catering and accommodation for all those attending in 2023 and travel, expenses, and training for the volunteers.
The Methodist Youth President, James Carver, commented; "I want to thank Benefact Trust immensely for their generous grant. 3Generate is a place where all young people, with different abilities and requirements, are heard and empowered. With this fantastic gift we will be able to provide more support for the growing numbers of young people and volunteers we will be welcoming at the NEC, Birmingham this October."
Paul Playford, Grants Officer for Benefact Trust, said: “It is privilege to support the Methodist Church with over £1million towards a range of exciting projects. This funding will enable the Methodist Church to focus on training, project expansion, online resources, and events to grow the reach and impact of the church going forward. We’re looking forward to going on this journey with them and seeing the difference these projects can make to the Methodist Church and wider community.”
You can learn more about Benefact Trust here.