Hope That Endures: A Grace-Filled Life Amid Loss
An article by Executive Director John Rivas on how even amid profound loss, hope can endure for older adults.
January 14, 2026
An article by Executive Director John Rivas on how even amid profound loss, hope can endure for older adults.
Grant funding from ENCORE Ministry Foundation helped First UMC Woodbury install a new roof thus enabling the church to offer an expanded food distribution ministry and other ministry and followship opportunities.
Calvert City (Kentucky) United Methodist Church is making a powerful impact in the fight against food insecurity, thanks to a grant from the Kent and Ellen McNish Grant for Older Adult Food Security. The grant, awarded in July 2025, has enabled the church’s food pantry ministry to expand its services and provide critical support to seniors and families in the 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.
Centertown (Tennessee) United Methodist Church received grant funding from the ENCORE Ministry Foundation to help purchase a refurbished walk-in freezer
Volunteers gathered for a quick photo before getting busy handing out bags of food last Thursday morning. Erik Hernandez/Macon County
Over the last several years, ENCORE Ministry Foundation has provided grants to Centertown United Methodist Church in McMinnville, Tennessee, to help with their food ministry.
In 2018, grant support from the ENCORE Ministry Foundation (formerly the Golden Cross Foundation) funded two tiny homes at The Village at Glencliff, located on the campus of Glencliff United Methodist Church in Nashville. These homes have become a beacon of hope for older adults, people experiencing homelessness, and individuals facing illness. They offer not just a roof over the unhoused, but a stable environment where people can begin to rebuild their lives, regain their independence, and discover community.
Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church’s Best Years program has served church and community members for more than 10 years. During that time, church members applied for and received several ENCORE Ministry Foundation grants. Here’s a glimpse into the program’s start and lasting legacy.
Together, we can be the hands and feet of Jesus, feeding the hungry, caring for the vulnerable, and showing love to those who need it most. Every dollar you give to the Kent and Ellen McNish Fund for Older Adult Food Security helps feeding ministries stretch resources and serve more meals to those in need. Donate today and help support life-changing feeding ministries like the People’s Table.