Because the reports and evaluations from the first-year recipients were so positive, the ABCNJ Public Mission Committee has decided to continue awarding grants to minister to people in poverty for another year.   The Committee is again soliciting proposals from the region’s churches to start new programs or expand existing programs specifically designed to minister to the poor.  Grants of $500 will be awarded. 

Preference will be given to first-time applicants, but previous applicants are welcome to apply.  Applications from small churches are especially encouraged.  Only churches that are active supporters of the mission of ABCNJ will be considered.  Deadline for submitting grant proposals is June 30, 2007.  Proposals should be mailed to: ABCNJ Public Mission Committee, c/o ABCNJ, 3752 Nottingham Way, Suite 101, Trenton, NJ 08690.

These grants are possible because of a gift to the region.  Individuals and churches can help support and increase this ministry by making an additional gift/contribution to ABCNJ to increase the amount or number of grants that can be awarded. 

The ABCNJ Public Mission Committee has long been involved in helping churches identify and support mission in our local communities and in the state of New Jersey.  In 2006 the Committee was able to offer grants to four churches to start or enlarge programs specifically designed to minister to people in poverty:

• Primera Iglesia Bautista de Trenton, Rev.Salvador Orellana, for La Casita: Legal Services for Immigrants.  This program assists the immigrant community of Trenton to obtain Green Cards, driver licenses, buy homes, and become US citizens. 
• First Baptist Church of South Plainfield, Rev. Gordon Braun, for the Clothing for Children in Foster Care Program.  FBC has been collecting, storing, organizing and transporting used clothing for children in foster care, and now they are able to purchase those essential items that are still needed. 
• Hispanic Mission of Englewood, Rev. Rudolfo Luis, for the After School Programming of the Latino Cultural Development Committee.  They expanded their program to offer more days of supervised activities to more children. 
• Stelton Baptist Church, Rev. Kathleen Tice, for the “No Debt No Sweat” Financial Planning Course.  Designed for Christians, this program offered families help in basic financial planning, including oversight of debt.