The Rio Texas Black Church Development Design Team (RTBCDDT) was organized in 2015 to help revitalize, strengthen, and support historic and predominantly African American United Methodist congregations across the Rio Texas Conference. The team of lay and clergy seeks to fulfill its mission: “Equipping congregations with resources and tools to create a greater missional impact that reaches every generation”, initially with our denominational initiative called “Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century” and now through direct support to RTC African American congregations. This refreshed initiative for 2022 and beyond will offer training, resources, and coaching for congregations that help establish and achieve S.M.A.R.T. goals while learning new strategies for leadership and missional effectiveness.

Black Church Development Grant Program

The Rio Texas Black Church Development Grant Program (RTBCDGP) is back for 2024! This year, the Rio Texas Conference continues to partner with this grant to increase the possible grant amounts for projects that best offer community transformation. This program exists to aid historically and predominantly Black churches in the areas of witness and evangelism through tangible financial and technology support, by helping to equip and empower congregations for more effective ministry. This grant program is purposed to support five key areas identified as essential to vitality in the Black Church:

·       Leadership Development

·       Ministry within the Community

·       Ministry with Younger People

·       Technology Upgrade

·       Building Maintenance

The deadline for this grant application is Monday, September 16, 2024. All applications and attachments are to be submitted only as directed on the application. Prior to submission to the Grant Support Team, your application will require the signatures of your District Superintendent and your District Strategy Team Chairperson. The Grant Support Team may need to contact you for any clarification regarding your project/program or to discuss any omissions prior to further processing.

Upon receipt of your application, the Grant Support Team will assign a Grant Consultant with special knowledge or experience regarding the ministry area(s) identified in your application. The consultant’s role will be to support the church in the application process, represent the applicant in the grant award process, and work with the congregation in taking necessary steps to complete the supported project/program.

RTBCDDGP funds will be awarded in amounts up to $5,000. All applications must meet one of the five key areas mentioned above. Projects that serve the community will be given priority. Any unused grant funds are expected to be returned to the Conference office to be made available for other congregations. 

Churches in receipt of grant funds are required to be accountable by reporting on the progress of their projects/programs in various ways. Working with the grant consultant, grant recipients will be required to submit quarterly progress reports once the funds are received. Here are some questions for you to reflect upon for your quarterly reports: 

·      What progress have you made toward achieving your project/program goals? 

·      Specifically, how has your project/program impacted your church’s ministry? 

·      Please share any other recognizable outcomes. 

·      What are your next steps because of this effort? 

To expedite the processing of your application, we recommend you involve members of your congregation and complete the application clearly and concisely. It is not necessary to return this page with your completed application.