Wholeness Centers are church-based ministries located within BIPOC (black and indigenous, people of color) communities and under-served populations that work with local residents and community partners to develop new ministries or significantly strengthen existing ministries.

As part of our commitment to addressing systemic racism and economic inequity, the EPA Conference will award grants to UMC churches that are committed to intentionally connect, engage, and partner with BIPOC communities they serve. EPA will also provide facilitators, where needed, as part of the Pathways program, to assist churches in developing a Wholeness Center.

Wholeness Centers will include community leaders, local businesses and organizations in order to operate in an asset-based development model.  Together, church and community leaders will assess community assets and needs in order to plan and implement programs that lead to long term and sustainable individual and community transformation.

EPA UMC Wholeness Centers: 

• Work with under-served populations and BIPOC communities.
• Create partnerships with community organizations, schools, churches, community leaders, businesses, and elected officials.
• Connect and increase community resources.
• Address specific needs to undergird long term change.
• Collaborate with communities to build on assets to address educational, social and economic challenges.
• Connect United Methodists with community residents, school, non-profit organizations, businesses, town governments, and other faith groups to feed the hungry, provide high quality childcare and educational enrichment for students, build affordable housing, assist the homeless and offer job training.

1. Reach out to dpicurro@gnjumc.org with your church and contact information sharing your current ministry center information and/or indicating that you are interested in developing a Wholeness Center.
2. Complete the Wholeness Center Grant Application.
3. Grant support is available for churches serving with BIPOC (Black; Indigenous; Persons of Color) communities.  All churches are welcome to apply. Applications must be submitted to the District Superintendent by May 1 and Nov. 1 for review and approval.  Completed applications, with DS approval, are then due to the conference office May 15 and November 15.