Brethren Mission Fund (BMF)

Mission Statement: With the salvation of souls around the world as its chief aim, the Brethren Mission Fund provides a channel through the Brethren Revival Fellowship to help resource sound Brethren mission work or Brethren workers wherever the gospel of Jesus Christ is being presented.

Purpose

The BMF supports Church of the Brethren (CoB) members engaged in soul-saving mission endeavors globally. The fund stimulates mission activity within the CoB through regular dispensing of funds to missionaries and mission projects.

Geographic Scope

Worldwide, including:

• Africa (Horn of Africa region, Rwanda)
• Asia
• Caribbean (Haiti, Dominican Republic)
• Central America (Guatemala, El Chal)
• Europe (Hungary, Spain)
• New Zealand
• North America (USA - prison ministry in Alabama, community outreach in Lancaster PA, Native American communities in South Dakota)
• Puerto Rico

Focus Areas

• Direct missionary support: Annual and one-time grants to individual missionaries and missionary couples
• Mission projects: Church building construction, community centers, theological training
• Community outreach: Prison ministry ("We Care Program"), Latino community services, child evangelism
• Short-term work camps: Construction projects and community service initiatives
• Teaching and discipleship: Missionary children education, theological training academies

Types of Support Provided

• Annual missionary support (typically $1,500-$8,000 per year)
• One-time project grants ($500-$4,200)
• Work camp cost assistance ($900 base cost)
• Church/facility construction funding (pledged amounts such as $40,000 for Haiti worship centers)

Eligibility

• Church of the Brethren members or affiliated organizations
• Workers engaged in gospel-centered mission work
• Projects aligned with evangelical Christian missions
• Missionaries serving through recognized mission organizations (SEND International, WEC, Mercy Ships, Christian Service International, Mennonite Air Missions, Child Evangelism Fellowship, Jungle Breezes Youth Ministries, etc.)

What They Fund

• Missionary salaries/support stipends
• Mission project implementation (building, supplies, operations)
• Short-term mission work camps
• Theological training programs
• Community ministry outreach
• Prison ministry programs

Contact Information

Director: James F. Myer, 234 Keener Road, Lititz, PA 17543, (717) 626-5555

Committee Leadership

(As of 2015 records)

• Chairman: C. Earl Eby
• Director: James F. Myer
• Vice Chairman: Nathan West
• Treasurer: Carl L. Brubaker
• Secretary: J. Eric Brubaker

Background

The BMF is a ministry of the Brethren Revival Fellowship, operating since at least 2011 (Volume 13 newsletter on record). The fund maintains regular communication with missionaries worldwide and meets periodically to review funding requests and allocate resources. The organization publishes newsletters to communicate funding decisions and mission updates.

Application Process

Submission Method:
Missionaries and mission projects submit funding requests directly to the BMF committee.

Contact:
Submit requests to:

• Director: James F. Myer at (717) 626-5555 or 234 Keener Road, Lititz, PA 17543
• Chairman: C. Earl Eby
• Committee meetings: Typically held in May and August/Fall

Required Information:

• Detailed proposal describing mission work or project
• Project timeline and budget
• Connection to Church of the Brethren
• Information about missionary/organization background
• For ongoing support: Current status updates and financial needs

Review Process:

• Committee reviews requests at regular meetings
• Committee makes funding decisions based on proposal merit
• Applicants may be asked to provide additional information before May meeting
• Decisions communicated via letter/notification

Reporting Requirements:

• Missionaries receiving ongoing support should provide periodic updates
• Organizations must demonstrate accountability to both BMF and their mission organization

Notes:

• No formal application form found; application appears to be proposal-based
• Committee emphasizes seeking wisdom in responding to requests
• Some requests are approved as one-time gifts; others receive annual renewable support
• Committee may invite mission representatives to present in person (e.g., Jim Myer trips to assess new mission fields)