Renewal and New Michigan Project Applications for the Engagemi 2024 Program Year
Now Closed - Reopen Fall 2024.
- RENEWING Conference projects please update contact information and share your ministry story in the applicable form. This is for all current Michigan Conference Part B projects.
- We have TWO Engagemi Applications for new Conference projects. The ‘Engagemi Project Full Application’ is the standard one that includes questions about the mission, activities, financial records, board of directors, United Methodist connections, and more. There is also an ‘Engagemi Project Abbreviated Application’ for the projects that relate regularly to a Michigan Conference Board or Division for support and accountability. For example, the Wesley Foundations are evaluated each summer by the Division of Higher Education and Campus Ministry.
- All applications need to be returned to [email protected] or mail to: Michigan UMC, 1011 Northcrest Rd., Lansing, MI 48906, by October 31, 2023. The Conference BGM will make determinations by December 15, 2023.
- We hope to update Engagemi information on the Michigan Conference Website on an ongoing basis and release a new Engagemi Book every other year.
- The 2024-2026 Engagemi Book will be ready in time for the 2024 Annual Conference.
*Check back soon for new applications to become available below.
Engagemi Overview for Michigan Conference United Methodist Churches
Engagemi is the mission engagement program for the Michigan Conference.
Engagemi challenges Michigan Conference congregations to comprehensive missional learning, giving, and action with the goal of encouraging congregations to shift from transactional “ministry to” models to relational “ministry with” vulnerable people and communities.
The Engagemi program consists of three focus areas: Learn, Give, and Act. Congregations that meet the requirements in all three areas will be recognized as “Engagemi Congregations.”
“Ministry With” – Foundational Concept for Engagemi
“Ministry with” is the foundational concept for the Engagemi program. Based on The United Methodist Church’s “Ministry with the Poor” Area of Focus, “ministry with” is grounded in Jesus’ practice of ministry, and our Wesleyan heritage. It is an invitation to move from models of “ministry to” into models of “ministry with.”
“Ministry to” is defined as mission and ministry programs that merely “give to” or “do for” people. These programs can be highly efficient in distributing materials and resources to address immediate basic needs of food, water, clothing, and shelter. However, they can also create a hierarchy of “givers” over “receivers,” foster systems and relationships of dependency, and treat “givers” as saviors having all the resources and answers and the “receivers” as objects of charity and problems to be fixed.
In contrast, “ministry with” seeks not only to meet immediate needs, but, also, to foster mutual relationships where all participants are met with dignity, engaged in shared leadership, and growing together in God’s love. It is a challenge for all of us to prioritize people over programs, relationships over resources, and development of long-term solutions over quick fixes.
The Engagemi mission and ministry projects, here in Michigan and around the world, are all seeking to respond to this invitation. The goal of Engagemi is to encourage your congregation to partner with these projects and to meet the challenge of being in “ministry with” people in your congregation and your local community.
2023 Engagemi Churches
Thank you to our 2023 Engagemi churches.
Central Bay District: Coleman Faith, Farwell, Midland: First, Riverdale: Lincoln Road, Saginaw: First, and Turk Lake.
East Winds District: Burton: Open Door, Clio, Flint: Court Street, Fostoria, Gaines, Grand Blanc, Howarth, Laingsburg, Lexington, Marysville, Mayville, Otisville, Owendale, Paint Creek, Pigeon: First, Plymouth: First, Romeo, Shaftsburg: Faith Community, Thetford Center, Vassar: First, and Watrousville.
Greater Detroit District: Birmingham: First/Berkley: First, Dearborn: Good Shepherd, Detroit: Cass Community, Farmington Hills: Orchard, Grosse Pointe, Livonia: St. Matthew, Monroe: St Paul, Northville, Troy: Big Beaver, Walled Lake, West Bloomfield, and Wyandotte: First.
Greater Southwest District: Battle Creek Chapel Hill, Centreville, Coloma, Gobles, Kalamazoo: Westwood, Portage: Chapel Hill, and Scotts.
Heritage District: Bancroft, Delta Mills, Eaton Rapids, Holt, Howell, Jackson: First, Lansing: Grace, Mason: First, Milford, North Lake, Oak Grove, Plymouth: First, and Saline: First.
Northern Skies: Escanaba: First, Gladstone: Memorial, Hancock: First, Iron Mountain: Trinity, Lake City, and Munising.
Western Waters District: Grand Rapids: St. Paul, Grandville, Lowell: First, Ludington: United, Old Mission Peninsula, and White Cloud.
Thank you to our 2023 Honorable Mention churches which include those who returned their Engagemi report with partial participation: Bellville, Brighton, Cadillac: South Community, Carleton, Coldwater, Colon, Fenton, Fennville, Flint: Bethel, Grawn, Gunnisonville, Hillsdale: First, Lake Odessa: Central, Marion, Mt. Morris, Nashville, Niles: New Journey, Oscoda, Port Hope, Port Huron: First, Rockford, Sandusky, Sanford, South Lyons, South Rockwood, and West Branch.
.
Last Updated on April 18, 2024