Where else are you invited to a behind-the-scenes glimpse at how visionary, faithful Christians are creatively meeting needs in the local population, and then given the opportunity to vote on who might be the most deserving to receive extra needed funding?
That’s was the format once again as United Madison Christian Givers (UMCG) met this week at the InterVarsity building in University Research Park, for their third quarterly Grant Award Meeting. Our previous reports are here: Winter and Spring.
“We are a Jesus-centered Christian organization,” UMCG president Josh Kaurich said as he introduced the evening. These ministries were then given the floor to tell their story:
Alexandra Coss – CareNet Pregnancy Center of Dane County: Since 2004, CareNet’s Elizabeth House has provided housing and hope for 350 women with unplanned pregnancies who had nowhere to turn. But at Elizabeth House, they can only help one out of every four mothers who apply. CareNet received $6,000 towards the remodeling and furnishing of a second home in Marshall.
Pastor Amanda – Edan Center: The Edan Center was described as “not a ministry but the sacred hub of a full ecosystem…created out of raw obedience.” Their web of ministries was birthed at the kitchen table and has a special heart for men and women dealing with domestic abuse, sexual assault, and addiction. The $6,000 they received will go towards essential services as well as helping create infrastructure to stabilize their ministry.
Pastor Stephanie Avila – Lighthouse Church and School: This church’s Back to School Event is a huge outreach aimed at easing the financial burden for struggling families while sharing their faith. They served 300 school children last year and expect 350 this year. “We want people to meet Jesus while they’re waiting in line to receive school supplies and backpacks,” she said. Lighthouse partners with Police and Fire departments and other agencies. She told the story of a snow cone vendor who reached the number of snow cones they had agreed upon, and then said, “I’m going to keep giving out snow cones until the ice runs out.” Lighthouse received a $5200 grant.
Three additional ministries that presented received consolation grants of $1,000.
Minister Althea Rene Miller – Mt. Zion Baptist Church: The challenges and victories of rebuilding the youth ministry of one of Madison’s oldest churches following COVID was shared. More and more youth are participating in Sunday morning services, as well as youth ministry activities.
Bethany Bernard – Safe Families for Children: Safe Families is “a family preservation ministry fueled by radical hospitality.” Ninety-two individuals and 28 families have been helped so far in 2025. “This is not social work, this is kingdom work,” she said. Safe Families partners with churches and recruits faith-driven volunteers in churches to support and stabilize families when they face challenges, reducing entries into the child welfare system and keeping families together.
Chris Handrick – Young Life: Young Life is active in local Middle Schools and High Schools, mentoring young men and women in their Christian faith. Their grant will go toward Young Life Camp scholarships.
As the votes were being counted, UMCG board member Jim Monroe noted, “If there’s every been a time that we need to be one body to make a difference, that time is now.” The next UMCG ministry showcase will be October 28, 2025. More information on UMCG here.