2025 Annual Impact Report
Empowering Churches.
Honoring Senior Adults.
Strengthening Communities.
Purpose: Intentional ministry by, with, and for older adults.
As I reflect on 2025, I am deeply moved by the ever-changing evolution of ENCORE Ministry Foundation. While our purpose – intentional ministry by, for, and with older adults – remains steadfast and solid, I am excited to see what the next chapter holds for ENCORE.
Key Achievements
- Rebranded and launched new ENCORE website.
- Began building a resource, training, and continuing education secondary website (going live in 2026) to house a plethora of resources, articles, podcasts, webinars, and other material related to aging and older adult ministry that is easily accessible for individuals and congregations. The site will also host the Family Stewardship Center that will be migrated with information, downloadable white papers, and other material related to increasing intergenerational trust and communication.
- Gathered feedback and compelling stores from churches that have received ENCORE funding in 2025. The material will be shared via ENCORE social media and website posts.
- Solidified and expanded our relationship with UTC College of Nursing through the Age-Friendly Congregation Certificate (AFCC) program and fall 2025 conference.
- Increased fundraising efforts and response to our targeted appeals for support of the Kent and Ellen McNish Fund for Food Security, as well as the AFCC.
- Because of the growing demand for Older Adult ministry resources, training, and consultation, we have continued our discussions with other denominations such as the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, UM Mountain Sky Conference, the Lewis Center for Church Leadership, Discipleship Ministries, and the Center for Congregations.
- Dispersed $211,900 in grant funding, including 20 one-time Food Security grants to churches and other ministries.
In conclusion, 2025 was marked by considerable progress and impactful achievements, alongside challenges that have provided opportunities for growth and learning. I am confident that the groundwork laid during this period will pave the way for even greater successes in 2026.
Sincerely,
John Rivas
Executive Director
Thanks to our supporters and God’s blessings on our efforts, ENCORE Ministry Foundation (ENCORE) impacted older adults throughout the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference and beyond! In 2025, we celebrated these milestones:
Dispersed more than $211,000 in grant funding
ENCORE also provided consultation, training, and resources to help church leaders develop intentional ministry by, with, and for older adults, including:
- Launching an updated website offering more resources and ministry options for intentional ministry, by, for, and with older adults.
- Initiating an Age-Friendly Congregation Certificate program for individuals and churches.
- Sponsoring a conference-wide older adult ministry event for church leaders and older adults at Franklin (Tennessee) First United Methodist Church.
- Sponsoring and presenting information about ENCORE to participants at the Board of Laity Luncheon at the 2025 the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Annual Conference.
- Presentation to and collaboration with Methodists Helping Methodists Foundation in the Mountain Sky Conference about ENCORE and how values can be passed from generation to generation via legacy planning.
2026 promises to be filled with even more training and support, consultations, advocacy, quality resources, networking opportunities, and grant funding to equip church leaders for intentional ministry by, with, and for older adults. We look forward to working together to further strengthening churches and creating faith communities of well-being for older adults.
ENCORE Ministry Foundation provides grant funding to churches and communities for intentional ministry by, with, and for older adults.
The funds help support and impact an aging population in areas such as accessibility, food security, transportation, affordable housing, affordable healthcare, and spiritual development. Here are a few examples and how they have provided lasting impact:
Encore Grants Help Fund Centertown UMC Food Ministry Program In McMinnville
The ministry started about 10 years ago with three volunteers serving approximately 20 families. Today, they distribute 180-200 boxes every week. It’s hard to say exactly how many families they serve since they do not require any information from the recipients, but they estimate it is well over 200 and one-third to one-half of the recipients are over 65 years old.
Be Fit Exercise Program Thrives at Bethlehem UMC
The Be Fit exercise program at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Clarksville, Tennessee, continues to flourish, offering participants a unique opportunity to improve their physical health while fostering a sense of community. The program accommodates various schedules, welcoming participants throughout the week with some dedicated individuals joining every day.
Gordon Memorial UMC’s Best Year’s Program
The church’s Best Years program has served church and community members for more than 10 years. Beginning as a Bible study, the program has evolved into a weekly gathering for 45–50 seniors (ages 70–90) from the church and surrounding area. It offers a mix of fellowship, physical activity, spiritual formation, and nutritious meals, helping participants stay active, connected, and engaged.
Grant Helps Food Pantry Ministry Fight Hunger in Local Community
Grace Depot Church in Clarksville, Tennessee, is making a significant impact in the lives of older adults in the community, thanks to a $5,000 Older Adult Community Service Grant awarded by the ENCORE Ministry Foundation. The grant has enabled the church’s Elders Network to provide essential services and Christ-centered care to seniors facing isolation, medical challenges, and emotional strain.
Events Hosted
Building Community with Older Adults sponsored by ENCORE Ministry Foundation and UTC Chattanooga’s College of Nursing. It was in-person and live streamed at Franklin (Tennessee) First United Methodist Church. Area experts, including Rev. Dr. Richard Gentzler, Jr., presented topics on grief and loss; cybercrime, fraud and scams; and respite programs and resources. In addition, a new Age-Friendly Congregation Certificate Program was highlighted.
John Rivas presented eight sessions of Living a Legacy, including one to the Methodist Helping Methodist Foundation in the Mountain Sky Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Rev. Dr. Richard Gentzler, Jr., served as an Older Adult Ministry training leader for clergy and lay leaders at the 2025 Festival of Wisdom and Grace at Lake Junaluska.
Rev. Dr. Richard Gentzler, Jr., served as keynote speaker at State of Tennessee’s 2025 Leadership Summit.
ENCORE would like to thank
our generous donors and supporters in 2025
Tom Adkinson
Kay Bowers
Cathy and Joe Burkhead
Lisa and Byron Carson
Sarah Carty
Luci Cromer
John and Rita Collett
Megan Cooper
Neil and Norma Jean Dobson
Dr, Richard Gentzler, Jr.
Susan Hay
Kathryn Heavey
Charles Hewgley
Marie King
David Lilley
Michael & Joanna Lorance
Emily McNish
Kathryn McNish
Kent and Ellen McNish
David Morgan
John Rivas
Krik Rutter
Cindy Solomon
Cliff Steger
Shirley Vaughn
Ed Van Voorhees
Erin Williams-McNish
Susan Williams
Bethlehem United Methodist Church, Clarksville, TN
Cannon United Methodist Church, Shelbyville, TN
Clark United Methodist Church, McMinnville, TN
First United Methodist Church, Franklin, Tennessee
First United Methodist Church Mt. Pleasant, TN
Madison Street United Methodist Church, Clarksville, TN
Versa Care Grant
United Women in Faith Greenbrier UMC
Meaningful ways to support ENCORE Ministry Foundation
There are many meaningful ways to support ENCORE Ministry Foundation, both today and for generations to come. A simple and lasting option is to include a gift in your will or trust (bequest), which allows you to make a future impact without affecting your current finances. You can also make an immediate difference with a cash gift, which provides crucial support for our ongoing work.
Another popular giving method is the IRA Charitable Rollover (also called a Qualified Charitable Distribution), which allows donors aged 70½ or older to give directly from their IRA—satisfying required minimum distributions and reducing taxable income. If you are looking for income as well as impact, a Charitable Gift Annuity offers fixed payments for life in exchange for a gift, while a Charitable Remainder Unitrust provides variable income and potential tax benefits, with the remainder supporting ENCORE Ministry Foundation.
