“NO ONE PUTS NEW WINE INTO OLD WINESKINS; OTHERWISE, THE WINE WILL BURST THE SKINS, AND THE WINE IS LOST, AND SO ARE THE SKINS; BUT ONE PUTS NEW WINE INTO FRESH WINESKINS.”
MARK 2:22
The pursuit of our Christ-centered mission calls for new paradigms, new sets of expectations, and new “containers.”
No one knows what new thing or new change will result in exactly the kingdom-results we hope for in all contexts, but through this program we hope to create a culture that is intentional, nimble, and dynamic. Ready for the unknown future, we seek to foster ideas that heed the Holy Spirit’s movement in places where Christian community is ready to be birthed.
NEW WINESKINS GRANT PROGRAM
The New Wineskins Grant Program seeks to nurture the birthing of new ministry initiatives within ABC/WI by planting seeds thru training, coaching, and financial support.
Guidelines
New means new.
This initiative is about supporting new ministries (new faith communities or missional efforts) and is not intended for retrying old ideas that worked in the past or strengthening things that already exist. We encourage informed experimental ideas.
New relationships.
We encourage ideas that seek to reach and minister among populations currently not connected with, or who are underserved within, ABC/WI.
“With and among” not “to and for.”
In our commitment to valuing each individual human life and the gathered community, we understand ministry as something that happens with and among people rather than to and for them. Ideas that are strong on relationships rather than focused on transactions will align with this program’s vision.
Other considerations:
We are looking for applications that include: alignment with ABC/WI mission, collaboration with others, and innovative approaches.
Recent Grant Recipients
Our 2019 Grant Recipients include:
- Miracle, Inc. (birthed by Milwaukee, Progressive Baptist Church): BLESSS--(Building Love Equipping shepherds around shame, stigma, suicide, and self-care).
- Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Madison: Mt. Zion Campus Ministry
- Underwood Memorial Baptist Church, Wauwatosa: Bricks
Click HERE to read the full announcement.
Our 2024 Grant Recipients include:
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Federated Church of Green Lake: Messy Church/Community Together
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First Baptist Church of Waukesha: CONNECT Youth Program
Click HERE to read the full announcement.
Our 2025 Grant Recipients include:
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Emmanuel Chin Baptist Church: Education Ministry for Chin Community
- Progressive Baptist Church: Progressive Community Peacemaking
- The Crossing: Justice Advocacy Collaborative
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First Baptist Church of Waukesha: CONNECT Youth Program (continuing program grant)
Our 2026 Grant Recipients Include:
- The Crossing: Justice Advocacy Collaborative
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First Baptist Church of Waukesha: CONNECT Youth Program (continuing program grant)
Current Grant Cycle
Our 2027 Grant Application Period is OPEN!
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Please read over the information on this page carefully.
- Please download and read the application form carefully to make sure you fulfill the requirements.
- Please submit your completed New Wineskins Grant Application to abcwi.office@abcofwi.org by October 30th, 2026.
Recipients are required to attend or send representatives to a mid-year lunch and share a progress report on Saturday, May 15th, 2027 (location TBD).
