STAMFORD, Conn. (UMNS) – Three new program initiatives, with total funding of $10 million, were approved by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries during its Oct. 19-22 annual meeting.

Over the next five years, the board will allocate roughly $1 million annually from unrealized capital gains for a new venture called "The Partnership Fund." It is aimed at new mission opportunities emerging in Latin America and the Caribbean and in Asia, regions not covered by the previously approved Millenium Fund.

Priority will be given to innovative programs with mission partners that show promise of generating ongoing support, both locally and globally. Major emphases will include leadership development, training in evangelization and community ministries, and the use of electronic media.

Last spring, board directors allocated $2.5 million from unrealized capital gains for a program called "innovative mission volunteers." The proposal was to develop and implement a program enabling larger numbers of church members to "experience cross-cultural, global and reciprocal mission."

At this meeting, they specifically approved plans to resource annual conferences outside the United States to develop their own volunteer infrastructure; provide leadership for volunteer projects in developing countries; expand volunteer opportunities for peer groups and professionals; strengthen the process for using individual volunteers; involve volunteers in special mission initiatives; and fund additional program support services.

Directors also called on the board last spring to provide leadership in agricultural development, helping increase food supplies for local communities. At this meeting, they approved the proposed "Sustainable Agricultural Development Initiative" to address the causes of hunger, malnutrition and poverty "within communities where United Methodists live, work and witness."

The initiative will begin with a pilot phase that includes further program development with the people in church communities, projects and related institutions who are expected to be participants. Directors have allocated $2.5 million for the program.

Directors approved $1.19 million from the board's Program Development Fund for various projects. The allocations include $300,000 to assist with promotion, mission education materials and exchange programs connected with "Hope for the Children of Africa," a three-year Bishops' Appeal; $200,000 for "Justice for Our Neighbors," a new board program responding to the needs of refugees and immigrants; and $140,000 to strengthen black church development in Arkansas.

Also allocated was $150,000 for the continuing work of the board's Russia Initiative; $125,000 to help purchase property for the Russia United Methodist Seminary in Moscow; $175,000 for programming and publishing needs of Global Praise; $50,000 for a global consultation on mission evangelism; and another $50,000 for a mission evangelism video to be shared across the church.

The Youth Mission Chorale, a board-sponsored singing group that had toured Russia and the Baltic countries, performed and witnessed at the meeting

In other business, board directors:

• Committed themselves to buying 354 boxes through their churches and annual conferences as part of the Health and Relief Unit's Medicine Box Campaign and raised $1,780 in an offering -- enough to buy five more boxes.
• Learned the Millennium Fund Committee had approved $390,000 for European projects, including $350,000 for pastoral salary support in Eastern Europe, and $225,000 for a "Holy Boldness Regional Center" for community development in Baltimore;
• Heard performances and witness by Youth Mission Chorale, a board-sponsored singing group that had previously toured Russia and the Baltic countries, and the Korean American Praise Group, a young adult musical group from Los Angeles.
• Were reminded by Bishop Dan Solomon, board president, that telling the story of mission and its impact on the world is essential.