Columbia Falls Methodist Church Joins Rural Ministry Program

Columbia Falls United Methodist Church is among 25 Montana congregations chosen to participate in the Connect Church program, a rural ministry initiative funded by a $375,000 grant to the Mountain Sky Conference.

Pastor Jared announced the opportunity May 6 following the Montana Annual Conference in Great Falls, which drew clergy and lay leaders from more than 90 United Methodist churches statewide.

The Connect Church program, developed by the North Carolina Rural Center's Faith in Rural Communities initiative, received Lilly Foundation funding to expand beyond North Carolina. Montana joins Missouri, Indiana, South Carolina and Tennessee as hub locations.

Selected Montana churches will complete a 10-month coaching program and receive $5,000 to launch new community ministries. The North Carolina Rural Center has coached 100 churches through similar community engagement training since 2018.

Rev. Dr. Darren Crotts and Andrew Hudgins from the Rural Center presented the program at the Great Falls gathering. Bishop Kristin Stoneking and District Superintendent Karen McRae led the conference sessions.

Pastor Jared and Crotts completed probationary ministry together in Western North Carolina before Crotts joined the Rural Center. Crotts contacted Pastor Jared last year about the grant and national expansion plans.

Pastor Jared has not announced whether Columbia Falls United Methodist will apply for the current year or a future cycle. The conference press release is available at the Mountain Sky United Methodist Conference website.