Since its inception in 2013, ENCORE Ministry, the official older adult ministry of the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference of The United Methodist Church (TWK), has awarded more than $1 million in grants to 130 congregations and organizations. Grant money has helped fund a variety of projects benefitting older adults throughout the conference.
Milestones include:
- Funding to help churches create or upgrade livestreaming services during the Covid pandemic
- Helping fund the construction of four houses in Waverly, Tennessee, for older adults left homeless by a 2021 flood
- Donating $100,000 to help people whose lives were disrupted by a series of tornadoes in Western Kentucky and West Tennessee in 2021
- Creating the Bill and Lynn McAlilly Fund for Church Accessibility to make church buildings and parking lots more welcoming
- Establishing the Kent and Ellen McNish Fund for Older Adult Food Security to help alleviate hunger and malnourishment
- Celebrating the work and legacy of Executive Director Kent McNish upon his retirement in 2023
- Welcoming incoming Executive Director John Rivas
- Hosting and expanding Older Adult Ministry training events post-Covid to include in-person and livestreaming options
- Publishing resources for leaders of older adult ministry including annual Older Adult Recognition Day materials for celebrating Older Americans Month
ENCORE Ministry’s mission is to support older adult ministry in the TWK Conference by providing consultation, training and support, advocacy, resources, networking opportunities, and grant funding to equip church leaders in the conference for intentional ministry by, with, and for older adults. The foundation operates exclusively from gifts and grants from generous donors. It does not receive apportionment dollars from the TWK Conference.
“As I begin my tenure at ENCORE Ministry, I am grateful for founding Executive Director Kent McNish’s leadership,” said Executive Director John Rivas. “ENCORE Ministry’s primary aim is to impact the lives of aging and older adults and I’m passionate about seeing that no person be excluded or alienated because of his or her age. I’m also filled with optimism and anticipation as we continue to support churches and organizations throughout the TWK Conference with resources, training, and support that benefit senior adults in spiritual fellowship, food security, access to healthcare, and providing building accessibility.”
If You Want to Know More
- Grant applications are accepted all year and reviewed at Grants Committee meetings. For grants or funding information, contact Cindy Solomon at . For an online grant application, click here or visit https://encoreministry.org/grant-application/.
- For more information about resources, leader training, and church consultations by, with, and for older adults, contact Dr. Richard Gentzler at or at 615-400-0539.
- To receive ENCORE Ministry Connection, a free monthly enewsletter highlighting recent grant recipients and offering a wealth of articles and tips on ministry and resources for older adults, contact .
