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2024-2026 Strategic Plan

Mission Outreach

MO1

In order to fulfill covenant agreement responsibilities to global partners on an annual basis, the BWM will develop and utilize a checklist tracking system containing all specific action items for all parties. All formal BWM global partnerships will operate according to a signed covenant agreement. The agreement shall be up to five years in length.

MO2

The BWM will create a policy to guide the steps of initiation and facilitation of global partner relationships. This policy will state the explicit goals and purpose of BWM partnerships based on organizational status or stage of development within the Unity Structure. Avenues to apply for and receive financial support from the BWM shall differ by stage of development and a change in status to an existing BWM partner will trigger a review of an existing covenant to meet overall BWM policy. (This will include Unity Provinces being ineligible to receive an annual subsidy for operating costs.)

MO3

The BWM will identify and support Mission Outreach Efforts of our current global partners. The BWM will create an advisory committee made up of leaders within our global partners to periodically review and advise on the work of the BWM.

MO4 (for grant funding)

To create space for intentional deepening of relationships with global partners, the BWM will engage youth / young adults from global partners in regional camp programs, support “invitational” mission experiences for global partner representatives to build relationships in the U.S. and Canada, and explore opportunities for North American youth experiences with our global partners.

MO5 (for grant funding)

The BWM, in conjunction with global partner leadership, will format coursework of Moravian studies (theology, polity, and history) as well as worship resources (liturgies, hymnals, and devotionals) to be offered to Spanish-speaking global partners. Development of printed materials and best practices to offer distance learning will be explored.

MO6 (interest)

The BWM will explore partnerships with other organizations and ecumenical partners to act as a bridge to global partners to implement projects within the framework of at least three UN Sustainable Development goals.

MO7

The BWM will translate and provide resources, including COUF, “Moravian Treasures,” “Hidden Moravian Treasures,” the Bishops’ Handbook, the Ground of the Unity, and the Moravian Covenant for Christian Living into the languages needed to make them accessible to global partners (Spanish, Portuguese, Miskito, and Swahili). This will also include prioritizing access to the Bible in local languages.

Mission Engagement

ME1

The BWM will set an annual grant funding goal of at least $75,000 and apply for grants from at least three new sources with the goal of receiving funding from at least one new non-Moravian source annually. The BWM will explore the possibility of hiring a part-time grant writer to assist in identifying, applying for, and managing reporting, for a wider variety of grants.

2024 New Grant Sources:

The Mustard Seed Foundation (

https://msfdn.org/granting/⁠

) - Could provide funds for church startup in Salvador, Brazil (will not fund buildings, etc. but will fund outreach efforts and ministry work)

Harry C. Trexler Trust (

https://trexlertrust.org/grantseekers/grant-procedure-and-summary-form/⁠

) - only grants to Lehigh Valley orgs. application would be most successful if it benefits Bethlehem Moravians directly in some way. (Maybe something connected to mission / historical / theological education for our constituent congregations - somehow connected to the UNESCO inscription?)

Potential Future Grant Sources:

National Christian Foundation - I received funding from them at Affordable Dental Care through their Wisconsin office. Emailed their Lancaster office 9/24/24 to see if they have any resources for nonprofits.

Global Fund for Community Foundations (

https://globalfundcommunityfoundations.org/what-we-do/grants/grants-awarded/⁠

) - could be a source if any of our global partners wanted to start their own small grants program ... maybe a way for the Ahuas Clinic to provide funds for individual health care or other need similar to the Debt Jubilee? Or maybe there’s a way to work this for funds to go toward Yamnika Laya as a “granter” as they determine communities in need for future water/health intervention.

Tatman Foundation - foundation of the Chomeau family in Door County, has given to the BWM before and lists both the Ephraim and Sister Bay churches in their list of supporters. Possible sponsor of a Century Ride team or other initiative? Find out if Kerry or Dawn knows them more personally / knows what their giving priorities are. My mom knows them but in the context of Land Trust / historical society giving.

Direct Relief? Could we join this network for meds, etc. for the Ahuas Clinic?

ME2 (help with this - formatting / sharing)

A standardized team training (with contextually-relevant information and completion of Ministry Safe resources) will be mandatory for any mission teams initiated by the BWM or receiving team grant support. Offering financial support for non-BWM-initiated teams will be prioritized lower than Mission Engagement efforts outlined in yearly goal planning.

ME3

Intentional leadership development will be a primary focus of our Mission Engagement efforts. In partnership with Northern and Southern PECs, this will include an active role in developing a sequence of mission opportunities and creation of an application-based leadership training experience to encourage and support individuals to take initiative in regard to Mission Outreach from their context.

ME4

Each year, the BWM will develop an intentional fundraising initiative / strategy around a specific theme or effort. Goals of the initiative will be to make progress in the following areas: planned giving, recurring gifts, total donations, and average size of donations.

ME5

The BWM will initiate partner introduction trips as an immersive mission experience to help deepen relationships with our global partners and provide the chance for more individuals to experience the transformational power of these engagements. A goal of these trips will be to recruit liaisons (lay and/or clergy) for each of our global partners.

ME6

The BWM will maintain the MDR program to allow the BWM flexibility to respond as needed to disaster situations according to our Moravian Disaster Response plan.

ME7 (help with this - formatting and sharing)

The BWM will create and make available a customizable workshop resource to increase engagement with local congregations. This workshop will provide information about ongoing efforts of the BWM, give an historical and theological framework of Moravian mission work, and allow opportunities for discernment of gift and calling for tangible engagement in mission.

ME8 (support depending on DMS)

The BWM will begin functioning as the agency planning and facilitating high school- and college-aged Convo programming to help prioritize engagement with young adults.

ME9

The BWM will intentionally seek ways to be a connecting point between mission servants and service opportunities with congregations / emerging ministries within North America. This may include creation of a grant program to support congregations developing new mission outreach efforts in their communities. (These would need to be new efforts with the purpose of establishing a relationship with the BWM, not just support for an ongoing effort.)

Administrative Support

AS1

The BWM will increase undesignated investments in the general fund to $3,000,000 by 2026 Year End.

AS2 (fundraise)

The BWM will create an “Until He Comes” (or “All the World”) Fund that we put $100,000 into, and with board designation, put away for 100 years. The purpose of the fund is to reflect with gratitude upon the gifts given previously which support our work now, and to demonstrate a long-term commitment to mission work.

AS3 (fundraise? where is this expansion coming from?)

The BWM will expand annual Mission Grant budget line to $100,000 by the 2026 budget and prioritize at least $25,000 going to mission areas and/or income-producing projects.

AS4 (fundraise? where is this expansion coming from?)

The BWM will grow the Global Partner Projects budget line to $100,000 by the 2026 budget, with a priority on funding efforts within newer mission areas or opportunities and engaging local leaders (in paid positions) to initiate and oversee programmatic efforts.

AS5

Recognizing the role of the BWM in leadership within the Unity, and desiring that staff are equipped to fulfill this role as visionary leaders, the BWM will be intentional about supporting staff in their spiritual and leadership growth and development. This will include allocating resources and empowering staff to identify and utilize external resources such as spiritual direction, coaching, education opportunities, etc.

AS6

The BWM will finalize consolidation of its existing invested funds into five fund categories - General, Mission Grants, Education, Medical, and Youth/Children. Staff and the finance committee will work to change restrictions on funds to these broader categories. New gifts and bequest priorities will be first as undesignated, second as Mission Grants, and third into one of the other existing categories.

AS7

The BWM will evaluate the board of directors model and prepare any necessary or recommended constitution changes for the 2026 Synods of the Northern and Southern Provinces in North America, with resulting changes presented to the Alaska Province Synod and Unity of the Brethren conventions for concurrence.

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