The Ohio Conference Ministry Development Team (MDT) has awarded 11 grants totaling $23,242.50 to Ohio Conference congregations and Conference-related groups. The MDT approved the grants at its Aug. 31 meeting in Upper Sandusky.

Funding for these grants comes from surplus funds that had accumulated during years in which the Conference ended its fiscal year with a surplus.

Grants will provide funds toward the following projects:

Adriel — Supplies and outings for youth participating in Adriel’s summer program

Sentralized Conference — Support for four pastors or other leaders from Ohio Conference to attend a Sentralized Conference sponsored by Forge Network. This conference is for pastors, lay leaders and those committed to building up God’s kingdom.

Victory Community Church — Operation Outreach, an effort to reach the community of Solon through outdoor gospel concerts, as well as passing out door hangers and information about Victory Community Church

Peace Mennonite Church — Installing signs and a shade canopy tent/gathering space for the congregation’s Peace and Plenty Garden, with the goal of increasing community involvement

Child’s World Preschool (a ministry of Zion Mennonite) — Support for the purchase of children’s Bibles and other educational supplies for the preschool, which works with children from families of all income levels, including those who do not qualify for Head Start but are not able to afford tuition

Beaverdam Mennonite Church and Love INC of Corry, Pa. — Support for the Firewood Gap Ministry, which will provide firewood and devotionals for individuals with wood-heated homes who need assistance

Millersburg Mennonite, Martins Creek Mennonite and Love INC of Holmes County — Support for a transitional housing ministry for individuals in the area struggling to find quality, affordable housing

Wooster Mennonite Church — Support for the Fully Engaged/Faith Works Symposium which will include a series of four seminars focused on values of the Anabaptist tradition, including peacemaking, social justice, and racial reconciliation. The goal is for these seminars to educate and inspire not only the Wooster Mennonite congregation, but also the College of Wooster community and the broader local community.

Oak Grove Mennonite Church (West Liberty) — Support for “The Grove,” a ministry to be located at a storefront in the village of West Liberty. The storefront will be used to provide space for ministries such as grief counseling, Divorce Care, financial management, and Bible study in an easily accessible “non-churchy” location. There is also the possibility of moving the West Liberty Cares Food Pantry from outside of town to this location. The food pantry is supported by most of the churches in the area.

Open Arms Hispanic Ministry and Salem Mennonite Church (Wooster) — Support for travel to Guatemala to investigate the possibility of planting a church there and also to interact with students graduating from the SEMILLA seminary who have been supported by Open Arms

Summit Mennonite Church — Supplies for creating a community garden at Summit Mennonite Church which can be used by local residents, some of whom live in a mobile home park nearby and are not permitted to have gardens at their homes