Tuthill Commission Awards Funding to Five Global Partners
The Tuthill Commission met in mid-May to make their funding decisions for 2025-2026. They awarded over $46,000 to international faith-based partners who do work in the areas of education, healthcare, emergency/disaster relief, and community development. Five Global Ministries partners were funded for the coming year.
Kukhany’Okusha Zion Church in Eswatini was awarded a one-time amount of $10,000 toward the purchase of a vehicle for food and supplies to rural children. Their Neighborhood Care Points Program provides childhood education and nutrition to over 600 highly vulnerable children each day.
In Lebanon, the Fellowship of Middle East Evangelical Churches was funded for a third and final year. Their Syria Agricultural Renewal Project has helped implement sustainable farms for several families in the area heavily rocked by conflict. The program helps provide seeds and equipment as well on-going education and supervision so that the families can sell their food in the market.
The Zimbabwe Council of Churches was also funded for a third and final year. The focus of their Strengthening Health and Dignity of Women Project seeks to connect with women in rural Zimbabwe to provide health education and hygiene supplies. Some of the program participants are welcomed into the second phase of the program which includes an economic component to help them generate income.
The Youth Leadership Program at the Church of the American Ceylon Mission in Sri Lanka is also a program that focuses on young women. The funding they received from the Tuthill Commission will help provide extra-curricular and academic resources to Tamil-speaking girls who are often left out of such opportunities. The intent is to expand their future education and employment options.
Finally, Mexico’s International Service for Peace (SIPAZ) received a final year of funding to support their peace education activities. Their focus area is in the Chicapas region, which has seen growing violence in the past few years. Their program focuses on ecumenical approaches to safety and liberation.
The Tuthill Commission was created to manage funds designated for international missionary work of the Illinois Conference. Annually, they distribute grant funds to strengthen partnerships and work in the world.
For more information about these and other global partners, visit www.globalministries.org. There are many opportunities to get more involved and if you have questions about our international work, reach out to gifts@dom.disciples.org.