The Foundation for Evangelism is a non-profit organization, affiliated with The General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church. The main headquarters are located at Lake Junaluska, N.C. The main focus of the organization’s efforts is to provide “venture capital” to develop leaders with a passion for evangelism who will have a multiplying impact on The United Methodist Church. In fact, much of the funding the Foundation provides goes to organizations or projects that are helping to raise up those leaders of exceptional potential.
“The mission of The Foundation for Evangelism is to promote, encourage and provide resources for responsible evangelism, enabling The United Methodist Church to bring persons into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and help them grow as His disciples.”
- Mission Statement
History
Founded in 1949 by Dr. Harry Denman, The Foundation for Evangelism began as a fundraising arm of what was then known as The General Board of Evangelism. Dr. Denman’s vision was to equip pastors during their seminary education for the role of evangelism in their daily ministry. One of the first flagship programs of the Foundation is the E. Stanely Jones Professorship program, which began with the endowment of ”Chairs of Evangelism” in 1954 at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, Ky., and Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, Texas. The program now fully endows 13 professors at United Methodist related seminaries around the world including The United States, Zimbabwe, Germany, and Russia.
Grants and Resources
In addition to professorships, The Foundation for Evangelism supports many ministries and organizations through the distribution of grants and resources. The most recent of these grants is the Grace Spiritual Leadership Academy which will help bring 1,500 leaders within The United Methodist Church through an “incubator process” with the ultimate goal of equipping them to be faithful and fruitful in bringing God’s Kingdom to their communities.
Recognizing Leaders in Evangelism
The Foundation for Evangelism also recognizes those who have been a model of Wesleyan Evangelism – inviting others to the “warmed heart” experience and being the hands and feet of Christ. The newest recognition award is the Culture of the Call Church Award which honors a local congregation each year that has a history of helping young people respond to God’s call to full-time Christian service. The Harry Denman Evangelism Awards and the The Distinguished Evangelist of The United Methodist Church Award are two historical awards sponsored by The Foundation for Evangelism.
