Commission on CCTEF awards $1.26 million in latest grant cycle
May 20, 2025 | By Kimberly Lord
EVANSTON, Ill. – The United Methodist Church’s Commission on Central Conference Theological Education Fund (CCTEF) awarded 79 grants from 163 applications, totaling $1.26 million, to advance theological education in all Central Conferences at its first meeting of the quadrennium, May 2-5, at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
The Rev. Joseph Mulongo, Democratic Republic of Congo, shares theological education needs in the North Katanga Episcopal Area during the Central Conference Theological Education Fund Commission meeting on May 2-5.
“Supporting theological education is an investment in the enduring vitality of The United Methodist Church,” said Roland Fernandes, general secretary of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) and General Board of Global Ministries. “By empowering leaders within their regional contexts, we strengthen the church’s capacity to serve, teach and grow with wisdom and integrity. Our shared mission bridges cultures, languages and continents.”
Established by the 2012 General Conference, the CCTEF has awarded more than 1,000 grants for strengthening theological institutions, creating networks among schools, and increasing access to theological education in Africa, Europe and the Philippines.
The commission, elected by the Council of Bishops, awards funds collected from the World Service Fund. The 2020/2024 General Conference approved a 50 percent reduction for the 2025-2028 quadrennium. This reduction, when calculated at a collection rate of 75 percent, will result in an estimated $500,000 reduction in World Service Funds available for 2025 [SL1] grants.
The 2025 CCTEF grant application period opens Oct. 15 and closes Dec. 15. In early 2026, the commission will meet in Africa to review and award 2025 CCTEF grants. Learn more about CCTEF or contact contact GBHEM.
Kimberly Lord is the senior director of global education, ministry and initiatives for the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
The CCTEF Commission members with GBHEM staff members: first row from left: the Rev. Joseph Mulongo, Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball, Bishop Samuel Quire, Bishop Joaquina Filipe Nhanala, Bishop Moises Bernardo Jungo, Roland Fernandes; the second row from the left, the Rev. André Cassule Zundo Vieira, Netty Ndombasi, Bishop Patrick Streiff, the Rev. Dr. Rhoda Manzo and the Rev. Dr. Thomas Risager; the third from from the left: Lorry Mpindu, the Rev. Elmer Borromeo and Kami Kinlaw; the fourth row from the left: the Rev. Dr. Thomas V. Wolfe, Dena Cheatham, the Rev. Dee Stickley-Miner, Bishop Daniel Lunge, Bishop Daniel Wandabula, Demétrio Soares and Dr. Amos Nascimento.
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