Wesley UMC receives Renfro Trust Grant

By Kelly Roberson
 
Wesley United Methodist Church in Taylor County is the 2023 South Georgia recipient of the Renfro Trust Grant. 
 
The Renfro Trust awards grants for the purpose of establishing and supporting United Methodist churches in rural areas of the United States within the Southeastern Jurisdiction. These “brick and mortar” grant applications are considered for projects involving new or existing church buildings.
 
“Wesley UMC is honored to receive the Renfro Trust Grant,” said Eloise Doty, a member of the congregation. “Our church is small in membership but large in spirit!”
 
Located in Butler, Ga., Wesley UMC was established in 1900. Taylor County, though large in land mass, only has 8,000 people. Wesley UMC is an important part of this small, rural community. 
 
Their sanctuary was built in 1904 at a time when few places had indoor plumbing and when most people could easily climb the steps into the building. In order to make the sanctuary more accessible and welcoming for the people of their community, members of the church realize updates need to be made. They have already built a ramp to enter the sanctuary and now want to add a restroom. Their challenge, however, is the cost associated with these updates. 
 
“In recent years we have invested in making this church handicap accessible by adding a beautiful handicap ramp to the church’s front entrance. In addition, we have moved from one service per month to two services per month and have plans to add a mid-week Bible study. Most importantly, we have recently welcomed new members. We can see how the addition of a restroom will be an important next step to future growth,” read the church’s grant application. 
 
This grant will not only help them build this restroom, it will help make Wesley UMC a more desirable place to worship for the people of Taylor County. 
 
"We are grateful to be named as recipients of this important grant,” said Rev. Howard White, pastor of Wesley UMC. “Updating our facilities is one significant step in becoming a more welcoming and accommodating place of worship for our community.”
 
Last year, Wesley UMC was recognized by the South Georgia Conference as a fruitful church and a three-star church. They also received the Carruth Mission Award for mission giving.

“We celebrate what God is doing to bring new life in churches like Wesley UMC,” said Rev. Garth Duke-Barton, Conference Secretary for Global Ministries.
 
As part of his role as the Conference Secretary for Global Ministries, Rev. Garth Duke-Barton is part of the group that helps make determinations about who receives grant money. For more information on Renfro Trust Grant, email him at revgarth0810@gmail.com. 

Kelly Roberson is the Director of Communications/Conference Ministries for the South Georgia Conference.