Posts by NBA Cares
Celebrating 10 Years of Mission & Ministry Grants: Investing in Innovation, Equity, and Faithful Impact
By: Kara Whitehouse, NBA Operations & Grants Management Coordinator The National Benevolent Association proudly celebrates and reflects on a decade of faithful innovation and community impact through the Mission &…
Read MoreWhere Youth Grow, Connect, and Belong: Partner Summer Camps Make a Lasting Impact
Each summer, youth step into camp experiences that offer more than activities, schedules, and shared meals. For many young people, summer camp becomes a place of belonging, discovery, and transformation—a…
Read MoreDisability Pride Month: A Call to Belonging, Dignity, and Community
By Lauren Jones, HSS Program Coordinator Recently, I had the opportunity to connect with Daren Houck, Executive Director of HSS Partner Hiram Farm. Hiram Farm is a community dedicated to supporting…
Read MoreConnected to Community
This month we are highlighting some of the social entrepreneurs who have been a part of NBA’s Social Entrepreneurship (SENT) Cohort. Today, we are pleased to feature Deborah Jackson, a member of NBA’s 2026 SENT Cohort…
Read MoreBeyond the Ask: Building Trust and Momentum for Year-End Giving
As nonprofits begin preparing for the final months of the year, year-end giving offers more than a fundraising deadline. It is an opportunity to deepen relationships, tell a clearer story…
Read MoreFrom Goals to Impact: Using SMART Frameworks to Strengthen Grant Proposals
By: Kara Whitehouse, Operations & Grants Management Coordinator For health and social service organizations, the difference between a good grant proposal and a compelling one often comes down to clarity…
Read MoreThe Beauty of Collaboration
When we put our voices, knowledge, and actions together, our world expands exponentially. When we work and share together, Older Adult Ministries grows organically. An amazing example unfolded recently. Laura…
Read MoreAgeism: One of The Last Socially Acceptable Prejudices
What if everything we thought we knew about aging was wrong? Dr. Tracey Gendron, professor and Chair of the Department of Gerontology and the Executive Director of the Virginia Center…
Read MoreSisterhood: A Leadership Model
The 2026 National Convocation took place last month in Dallas, Texas. NBA staff were on hand to take part in the biannual gathering, attending worship services, interacting with attendees, and being present at a justice rally featuring local activists and Bishop William…
Read MoreBuilding It Together
This month we are highlighting some of the social entrepreneurs who have been a part of NBA’s Social Entrepreneurship (SENT) Cohort. Today, we are pleased to feature DeJuana Golden, a member of NBA’s 2025 SENT Cohort and founder of The…
Read MoreNBA Welcomes Catherine Avena as Senior Development Associate
The National Benevolent Association is pleased to welcome Catherine Avena as its new Senior Development Associate. “I am thrilled to have Catherine join our development team,” said Paige Bobbitt, NBA’s…
Read MoreNBA Board of Trustees Approves Strategic Roadmap for the Next Chapter of Ministry
The National Benevolent Association’s Board of Trustees gathered virtually in June to engage in discernment, governance, and strategic planning for the future of NBA’s ministry. During the meeting, trustees approved…
Read MoreSupporting Growth and Discernment for Leaders at Spirited Renewal
Seasons of growth and change. This is something that all social entrepreneurs face from time to time with their organizations, including Rev. Dr. Aizaiah Yong. To help work through this…
Read MoreMaking a Meaningful Impact in Plymouth
Adrienne Wren noticed that people in her community were facing financial hardships that made it difficult to supply basic household items for themselves and their families. “I began to realize…
Read MoreCaring For Yourself: NBA Group Offers Mental Health & Wellness Toolkit for Community Leaders and Care Providers
Our world is full of community leaders and care providers offering support and care to others in their community. But how often do these same leaders take steps to care…
Read MoreSustainable Leadership in Demanding Conditions: A Look Back at NBA’s Joint Peer Learning & Wellness Group Gathering
How can a cactus plant offer insights on sustainable leadership and wellness? This was the central question surrounding NBA’s combined joint Peer Learning & Wellness Group gathering that took place…
Read MoreNBA, Cypress Creek Christian Church Partner For Mental Health Sunday Service
“Be Kind To Your Mind.” This simple, yet powerful wellness reminder served as the theme for the recent Mental Health Awareness Sunday service at Cypress Creek Christian Church in Spring,…
Read MoreFreeing Up Time With AI: Tools That Help Leaders Focus on What Matters Most
Do you wish you had more time to serve people, instead of drowning in forms and documents? Lean into using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in practical, ethical, and aligned ways that free up…
Read MoreNBA Launching Innovation Institute to Help Leaders Thrive Through Peer Community & Self-Paced Learning
NBA is excited to introduce the Innovation Institute, a program designed to connect leaders in community while providing practical, self-paced learning they can apply immediately. “There is something powerful about…
Read MoreBuilding Hope in the Midwest: On the Ground Partner Visits
By Lauren Jones, HSS Program Coordinator In the first quarter of 2026, I had the opportunity to travel across the Midwest to connect with a couple of NBA’s Health &…
Read MoreTalanoa at the Table: A/PI Stories of Belonging
By Taulau Tupua, A/PI Young Adults Peer Group cohort member Seattle felt like a family reunion. Not the kind where you already know everyone, but the kind where you meet…
Read MoreBicultural Identity: Honoring Stories, Naming Realities
By Yunkyong Lee, API Community Liaison, and Rev. Dr. Miseon Choi, API Young Adult Mission Specialist What does it mean to live between cultures, holding together family heritage, cultural values,…
Read MoreWhat Could Be Better?
NBA’s Special Initiative for Older Adults is starting something new by growing from what has already begun. This two-year initiative is enacting NBA’s core values of innovative approaches, prophetic tradition,…
Read MoreOlder Adults “Well and Thriving” at Sun City Christian Church
Two years ago, medical and mental health professional church members at Sun City Christian Church (SCCC) in Sun City, AZ prepared a needs assessment for offering health and wellness programs…
Read MoreCelebrate Older Adults in May (And Any Time)!
Recognizing the many ways older adults still contribute to the life and ministry of our congregations, Older Adults Month, observed each May, is a great opportunity to designate a particular…
Read MoreNBA Announces Spring 2026 Mission & Ministry Grants
In 2017, NBA proudly launched the first round of Mission & Ministry Grant applications to support Disciples congregations and ministries working with older adults and at-risk children and youth across…
Read MoreNBA Expands Incubate Partners Roster
Theater T.A.L. and Harmony Grows are two nonprofit organizations meeting key needs in their communities: uniting people of all ages and backgrounds through the performing arts and tackling food insecurity…
Read MoreTrue Inclusion With Attention: Creating Impactful Programs For Young Adults Living with Disabilities
People with disabilities are vital members of our faith community whose experiences, gifts, and leadership enrich the life of the church. Yet, too often, their voices and needs are overlooked in…
Read MoreSilver Chalice Ministry Aims to Grow and Enhance Age-Friendly Congregations
Faith formation ministries that guide children, youth, and adults are commonly offered in churches. However, the same can’t be said about offering programmatic and spiritual support for aging and older…
Read MoreOrganizing in Times of Disruption, Past and Present
How do communities experiencing disruption organize in order to prevent permanent pain and despair and bring deeper democracy? This was the central question behind NBA’s recent webinar “From Montgomery to…
Read MoreTogether We Live: Making Room for Neurodivergent Families
People think and function in different ways. Traditional approaches have seen conditions like ADHD, autism, or dyslexia as diagnoses that need to be cured. However, in recent years, a more…
Read MoreOut of Sight, Out of Mind: The Loneliness Epidemic
All humans are wired for social connections, which are essential to our wellbeing. This helps explain why those who are lacking social connection are so impacted by loneliness and not…
Read MoreGood News On a Joyous Day
Elizabeth Barton faithfully attended church, read her Bible every day, and prayed often. She loved her congregation and contributed to its ministry through her sense of humor and her dedicated…
Read MoreStewardship and Sustainability: Strengthening NBA Fundraising
In faith communities, the act of stewardship is part of our spiritual practices. When we give to others, we imitate God’s generosity (Ephesians 5:1-2).1 This faithful practice of generosity, we…
Read MoreLiving Into Our Renewed Vision, Mission and Values
By Mark D. Anderson, NBA President & CEO NBA has been on a journey – one that has included prayerful discernment and conversations, courageous reflections, profound hope, and with much intention to state who and what…
Read MoreNBA Launches New Vodcast on Social Media and Addiction Among Young Adults
How is technology designed to keep us scrolling through our social media feeds? Can digital community truly meet our need for connection, or does it isolate us? What does psychology…
Read MoreMeet NBA’s 2026 SENT Cohort Members!
Leadership development, healing spaces, and empowerment for Black men, women and girls of African American, Indigenous, and diasporic descent; access to sensory-centered STEM opportunities and products designed for hard of…
Read MoreHighlighting Diverse Voices: How a Young Adult Leadership Development Grant From NBA Helped Launch A Community-Centered Book Club
Allison Nash noticed an increasing number of books being banned from libraries in the schools she worked for in Missouri and Indiana. While the quantity itself was alarming, she also noticed a trend. Several of the banned books didn’t contain explicit…
Read MoreBuilding Relevant and Resilient Programs for 2026
As communities continue to navigate shifting economic, social, and health needs, nonprofit leaders should be rethinking how they design and deliver programs. Things that worked five years ago may not…
Read MoreInvesting in People: How Nonprofits Can Boost Staff Wellbeing This Year
By Lauren Jones, HSS Program Coordinator Many leaders are struggling with burnout, turnover, and recruiting qualified staff—especially in social services. As organizations continue to navigate high community needs with limited resources,…
Read MoreFrom Conference to Community Impact: How NBA’s HSS Grant Helped Woodhaven Elevate Disability Inclusion
Over the last three years, NBA’s Health & Social Service (HSS) Leadership Development Grants have opened opportunities for leaders to expand their knowledge base and skillset. For Woodhaven Learning Center,…
Read MoreCommitting to Be Age-Friendly Congregations
This article is featured in the January/February 2026 issue of the Older Adult Ministries e-newsletter. To have this e-newsletter delivered to your email inbox click here. Faith formation ministries that…
Read MoreNBA Board of Trustees November 2025: Hybrid Homecoming at Fowler Communities
The National Benevolent Association’s Board of Trustees gathered November 6–8, 2025, for a milestone hybrid meeting—welcoming both in-person and virtual participants to Dallas, Texas, and the historic Juliette Fowler Communities.…
Read MoreNBA Announces Fall 2025 Mission & Ministry Grant Recipients
Addressing food insecurity through a community garden; offering educational, emotional, and programmatic support to youth transitioning out of foster care; and providing counseling and wellness resources to older adults. These…
Read MoreChaplaincy at NBA: Presence, Healing, and Justice in Community
As part of our year-end justice campaign, we’re highlighting how NBA brings justice to life every day—through presence, healing, and the transformative work of chaplaincy, among other initiatives that foster…
Read MoreNBA Launches Restorative Justice Initiative
What does justice mean for our communities today? At NBA, our commitment to equity and healing calls us to reimagine justice- not as retribution, but as restoration. Restorative Justice (RJ)…
Read MoreNBA Offers Events to Help Navigate Grief During the Holiday Season
The holidays are often associated with feelings of joy, excitement, celebration, and gratitude. However, for individuals who are in a season of grieving, it can be an entirely different experience…
Read MoreCommunity & Communion
By Rev. Awit Marcelino, A/PI Young Adults Peer Group facilitator In October, NBA hosted a weekend retreat in Seattle, Washington for the Asian/Pacific Islander (A/PI) Young Adults Peer Learning and…
Read MoreA True Sense of Accompaniment
As part of our year-end giving campaign this year, we’re looking at ways that NBA brings justice to life every day, through clarity, courage, and creativity. Between now and the end of…
Read MoreThe Power of Connection
As part of our year-end giving campaign this year, we’re looking at ways that NBA brings justice to life every day, through clarity, courage, and creativity. Between now and the…
Read MoreJustice, Equity, and Love For Older Adults
Contributed by Rev. Angel Luis Rivera-Agosto, NBA’s Community Engagement Senior Coordinator for Justice Initiatives Where there is no vision, the people perish. Proverbs 29:18 Justice issues today are especially urgent…
Read MoreSilver Chalice Ministry Member Congregation Highlight: Senior Connections Lunch and Learn Program
Contributed by Rev. Kimberly Weir, Older Adult Ministries Innovative Conversations Group Riverside Avenue Christian Church in Jacksonville, FL embraced Silver Chalice as a pilot church earlier this year, and formed…
Read MoreNature, Nurture, and Navigating Leadership
By Lauren Jones, Program Coordinator for Health & Social Services Last month, our Health & Social Services Executive Leaders Peer Learning and Wellness Group gathered for a truly special retreat at Frog…
Read MoreLiving Well While Managing Your Money: A Q&A on NBA Co-Hosted Financial Literacy Webinar Series for Youth and Young Adults
Talking about money can be stressful, difficult, and frustrating, especially for youth and young adults. “Many of the youth and young adults in my life are navigating money without a…
Read MoreNBA’s Justice Initiatives Webinar to Offer Information, Guidance to H.R. 1 Bill
In July 2025, H.R. 1, also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” was signed into law, bringing with it a dramatic shift in federal priorities and significant implications for…
Read MoreMental Health & Identity — A Recap of the 2025 NBA Mental Health Professionals Conference
Over the first weekend of October the National Benevolent Association’s Mental Health and Wellness Program hosted its annual hybrid Mental Health Professionals Conference in Denver and virtually for online attendees,…
Read MoreMeet NBA’s Newest HSS Partner, Restore Clergy!
NBA is excited to welcome Restore Clergy and its Executive Director, Rev. Kinsie Tate, as one of our newest HSS Partners. Restore Clergy is a transformative organization dedicated to the…
Read MoreTech for Good: How NBA is Empowering Nonprofits Through Digital Transformation
What if your nonprofit had a CTO for a day? What could be possible? For many smaller nonprofits, technology often falls to the bottom of a very important to-do list.…
Read MoreMutuality in Sisterhood: Mentorships for Black Women
Mentorships have a profound and lasting impact in general, but for Black women they can potentially become something even stronger: a sisterhood. This was one of the topics covered during…
Read MoreNBA Welcomes New HSS Program Coordinator
Did you know that NBA works with nearly 50 health and social service organization partners? To help oversee these relationships, NBA has hired Lauren Jones as Program Coordinator for Health…
Read More2025 SENT Seminar: Embodying God’s Dream For Justice, Belonging, and Flourishing
NBA’s Social Entrepreneurship program recently hosted the 2025 SENT Seminar. This year’s theme was “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion: Building Impactful Futures.” Throughout the two-week event a variety of experts discussed challenges…
Read MoreNBA Launches First-Ever National Recovery Month Programming
For the first time in its history, NBA is offering dedicated content and programming for National Recovery Month—an important step in our ongoing commitment to mental health and wellness. Observed…
Read MoreBeing Part of the Vision: Highlights from 2025 NBA Giving Week
What does combating injustice, technology and a garden all have in common? They are all elements mentioned during our recent Giving Week that illustrate how NBA works to nurture communities…
Read MoreNBA’s Older Adult Ministries Initiative Supports NEW Silver Chalice Ministry
NBA’s collaborative partner, the Older Adult Ministries team, evolved over two years to conceive of and create the Silver Chalice Ministry. Resolution GA-2513, supporting Disciples congregations receiving Silver Chalice designations,…
Read MoreNBA at 2025 Disciples General Assembly Recap
Earlier this month, the National Benevolent Association showed up to General Assembly 2025 with joy, bold visions, and dreams! We were so honored to celebrate and uplift the voices of our partners…
Read MoreNBA Board of Trustees June Meeting Highlights Bold Leadership, Program Growth, and New Appointments
The National Benevolent Association’s Board of Trustees gathered virtually on June 12, 2025, for its summer meeting, where trustees celebrated programmatic milestones, affirmed strategic leadership transitions, and welcomed new board…
Read MoreNBA Welcomes Two Social Entrepreneur Cohort Members as Incubate Partners
The National Benevolent Association’s Social Entrepreneurship program is pleased to announce the addition of two new social enterprises to our Incubate Partners, the Creative Spaces Cultural Arts Center (CSCA) and…
Read MoreNBA Announces Awarding of Spring 2025 Mission & Ministry Grants
The National Benevolent Association is proud to announce the recipients of its Spring 2025 Mission & Ministry Grants. The program provided a total of $176,600 in grants to 31 Disciples…
Read MoreProtect Medicaid and SNAP
The work of justice is Christ’s work—and we are Disciples of Christ. Today, we join our faith partners in opposing the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which threatens the health and dignity…
Read MoreSilver Chalice Congregations and Older Adult Ministries Update
Wonderful work is happening through our Older Adult Ministries team! The Silver Chalice Ministry celebrates its one-year anniversary with the recognition of eight congregations who piloted the Silver Chalice process,…
Read MoreNBA’s A/PI Initiative Team Holds First Gathering
By Yunkyong Lee, A/PI Community Liaison This past March, NBA’s Asian and Pacific Islander (A/PI) Initiative Team held a special gathering in Los Angeles for members of the A/PI community.…
Read MoreNBA to Host, Participate in 2025 General Assembly Events
The 2025 Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) General Assembly is taking place July 12-15 in Memphis, Tennessee, and NBA will once again be onsite and taking part in several activities…
Read MoreStatement on the Tornadoes That Hit Missouri and Kentucky
By Mark Anderson, NBA President & CEO Dear Friends, As you may have heard, a devastating storm system swept through St. Louis and parts of Kentucky late Thursday night into…
Read MoreNBA to Host Multiple Events for Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and NBA’s Mental Health and Wellness Team will be hosting several events throughout the month. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for…
Read MoreNBA Launches Refreshed Website
By Mark D. Anderson, NBA President & CEO Spring and Easter greetings, NBA friends! I’m excited to share some good news. The NBA has launched a new and refreshed website!…
Read MoreNBA Announces Members of the Fifth SENT Cohort
The National Benevolent Association is pleased to announce the members of the 2025 Social Entrepreneurship (SENT) Cohort. Launched in 2021 by NBA’s Social Entrepreneurship program, the SENT Cohort is a…
Read MoreNBA Welcomes New Director of Young Adult Leadership Development
The National Benevolent Association is pleased to announce that Rev. Bere Gil Soto has been named Director of Young Adult Leadership Development. She joined NBA in this capacity on March 1, 2025.…
Read MoreNBA’s Peer Learning & Wellness Group Conveners: Working to Create Community Together
Being a leader in today’s world can be challenging, exhausting and isolating. There is a need for community for these leaders: a place for support, encouragement and renewal. Through its Peer…
Read MoreimPACT Fellows Celebrate Early Achievements
The NBA Social Entrepreneurship team is excited about the launch of our pilot imPACT Fellowship, onboarding two exceptional fellows dedicated to advancing social entrepreneurship within historically marginalized or under-resourced communities…
Read MoreFall 2024 Mission & Ministry Grants Awarded
The National Benevolent Association is pleased to announce its Fall 2024 Mission & Ministry Grant recipients. In this cycle, NBA’s Mission & Ministry Grants program provided a total of $173,300…
Read MoreNBA Board of Trustees November Meeting Emphasizes Dedication to Financial Stewardship and Equity
In November, the National Benevolent Association’s Board of Trustees convened to review and approve the 2025 budget, marking a significant step in our ongoing mission to serve the community. The…
Read MoreNBA Holds 2nd Annual Hybrid Mental Health Professionals Conference
Last month, NBA’s Mental Health & Wellness Program hosted the second annual hybrid Mental Health Professionals Conference in New Orleans, LA. The conference aimed to provide connection, care, and rest…
Read MoreNBA Welcomes Cameron Cunningham
The National Benevolent Association is pleased to announce the addition of Cameron Cunningham as the Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator on October 1, 2024. The NBA’s Mental Health and Wellness program (MHW)…
Read More2024-26 Peer Learning & Wellness Groups Launch
This fall NBA launched four new Peer Learning & Wellness Group cohorts simultaneously for Chaplains, Executive Leaders, Prison & Jail Ministry and the initial cohort of the Asian/Pacific Islander (API) Young Adults.…
Read MoreThe Black Women’s Leadership Experience Launches
This past summer, a young adult Black woman and a Black women Disciples leader gathered together with NBA staff in Washington, D.C. to launch the inaugural cohort of the Black Women’s…
Read MoreNBA Launches imPACT Fellows Initiative
The NBA Social Entrepreneurship team is excited about the launch of our pilot imPACT Fellowship, onboarding two exceptional fellows dedicated to advancing social entrepreneurship within historically marginalized or under-resourced communities…
Read MoreNBA Announces Strategic Asset Engagement Initiative
“Over the past year, we as the NBA have been on a journey of intentional reflection and dialogue related to equity, and a strategic process for how we live into…
Read MoreNBA Welcomes New Senior Associate of Marketing
The National Benevolent Association is pleased to announce that Britt DeTienne joined the team as Senior Marketing Associate at the end of May. DeTienne brings nearly a decade of experience in marketing…
Read MoreNBA Board of Trustees June Meeting Emphasizes Dedication to Equity
The Board of Trustees of the National Benevolent Association of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) met June 6th – 8th, 2024 at Union Avenue Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. …
Read MoreSpring 2024 Mission & Ministry Grants Awarded
The National Benevolent Association is proud to announce its Spring 2024 Mission & Ministry Grantees. In this cycle, NBA’s Mission & Ministry Grants program provided a total of $191,000 to…
Read MoreJasmine Sanchez Joins National Benevolent Association
The National Benevolent Association is pleased to announce that Jasmine Sanchez joined as an Administrative Associate – Project Support in February. She has served in regional and general church ministries of the…
Read MoreHealth & Social Service Partner New Communion Reflects on the Impact of Working with NBA
New Communion is a mobile market and pantry nonprofit covering the Piedmont Triad region (Winston Salem, Greensboro, and High Point) in North Carolina. Led by Rev. David Harrison, their mission…
Read MoreNBA Welcomes the first Full-Time Senior Justice Coordinator with Plans to Expand Social Justice Work
Since the NBA’s founding in 1887, our mission work has had a central theme: to accompany Disciples as they create communities of compassion and care. Over the last several years,…
Read MoreNBA Board Meets and Affirms Bold Visions and Ministries
The fall meeting of the NBA Board of Trustees was hosted at Community Christian Church with Trustee, Rev. Shanna Steitz, welcoming the group. Over a meal on the first day of…
Read MoreConnection & Care: A Recap of NBA’s Mental Health Professionals Conference
At the beginning of October, NBA’s Mental Health & Wellness Program hosted its first hybrid Mental Health Professionals Conference for connection and care. This gathering brought together expert speakers and…
Read MoreA Space to Belong: Mission & Ministry Grant Supports Community Center for Trans & Gender-Diverse Community
Each year, the National Benevolent Association invites congregations and ministries to apply for a Mission & Ministry Grant. These grants are reserved specifically for projects that will impact older adults…
Read MoreCamp Sunflower Provides a Place for LGBTQ+ Youth to Soar
In 2018, Camp Sunflower launched in Wichita, Kansas to serve as a safe place for young people of all sexual orientations and gender identities to connect with others, develop leadership skills, and…
Read MoreNBA at General Assembly: A Recap of our Week in Louisville
The National Benevolent Association staff, trustees, partners, and supporters were delighted to be able to attend the 2023 General Assembly in Louisville, Kentucky. After four years of not being able…
Read MoreNBA Welcomes Two Social Entrepreneur Cohort Members as Incubate Partners
The National Benevolent Association’s Social Entrepreneurship program is proud to welcome two new social enterprises to our lineup of Incubate Partners. Like all NBA Incubate partners, these organizations are Disciples-related health and social…
Read MoreAnnouncing the Spring 2023 Mission & Ministry Grantees
The National Benevolent Association is proud to announce its Spring 2023 Mission & Ministry Grantees. In this cycle, NBA’s Mission & Ministry Grants program provided a total of $174,600 to 40 projects…
Read MoreIntroducing NBA’s New Young Adult Leadership Development Program Area
The National Benevolent Association is excited to announce an expansion to our work with young adults! The NBA has engaged with young adults (ages 18 to 30) in a multitude…
Read MoreNBA Welcomes Four New Trustees and Celebrates the Leadership of Outgoing Members in St. Louis
The Board of Trustees of the National Benevolent Association of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) met June 8–10, 2023, at Union Avenue Christian Church in Saint Louis, Missouri. The meeting opened…
Read MoreCreating Their Destiny: Mission & Ministry Grantee Teaches Young Black Girls Life Skills
Each year, the National Benevolent Association invites congregations and ministries to apply for a Mission & Ministry Grant. These grants are reserved specifically for projects that will impact older adults…
Read MoreNBA Welcomes New Health and Social Service Partner Program Coordinator
The National Benevolent Association welcomes Jerell DeCaille as our new Health and Social Service (HSS) Partner Program Coordinator. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, DeCaille joins NBA from St. Louis University where he…
Read MoreTrauma-Informed Church Offers Ministry Like Jesus Would
When Rev. Amie Vanderford and Thaddeus Shelton Jr., MFT, CSAYC, spent most of 2019 envisioning and crafting a plan to bring a new trauma-informed church to Indianapolis, Indiana, they had no idea that by…
Read MoreA Place to Belong: Indiana Congregation Creates Community Events for Older Adults
Each year, the National Benevolent Association invites congregations and ministries to apply for a Mission & Ministry Grant. These grants are reserved specifically for projects that will impact older adults…
Read MoreHow One Congregation Created a Network of Compassionate Older Adults
Each year, the National Benevolent Association invites congregations and ministries to apply for a Mission & Ministry Grant. These grants are reserved specifically for projects that will impact older adults…
Read MoreLonely But Not Alone: How Older Adult Ministries of Mid-America is Addressing Isolation
Each year, the National Benevolent Association invites congregations and ministries to apply for a Mission & Ministry Grant. These grants are reserved specifically for projects that will impact older adults as…
Read MoreUnleashing the Potential of Careers in STEM for St. Louis Youth
Each year, the National Benevolent Association invites congregations and ministries to apply for a Mission & Ministry Grant. These grants are reserved specifically for projects that will impact older adults as…
Read MoreMission & Ministry Grant Supports Those in Addiction Recovery
Each year, the National Benevolent Association invites congregations and ministries to apply for a Mission & Ministry Grant. These grants are reserved specifically for projects that will impact older adults as…
Read MoreFirst Christian Church Texas City Invites a Blue Theology Mission Station to Engage Children
Each year, the National Benevolent Association invites congregations and ministries to apply for a Mission & Ministry Grant. These grants are reserved specifically for projects that will impact older adults as…
Read MoreMeet the 2023 Social Entrepreneur Cohort
The National Benevolent Association is proud to announce the 2023 Social Entrepreneurship Cohort. Launched in 2021, the SENT cohort is part of NBA’s Social Entrepreneurship Program led by Rev. Darnell Fennell and Rev.…
Read MoreAnnouncing the Fall 2022 Mission & Ministry Grantees
The National Benevolent Association is proud to announce its Fall 2022 Mission & Ministry Grantees. In this cycle, NBA’s Mission & Ministry Grants program provided a total of $192,500 to 33 Disciples…
Read MoreNBA Board of Trustees Fall 2022 Meeting Centered on Partnerships
The National Benevolent Association’s Board of Trustees held their Fall meeting in Jackson, Mississippi from November 10 – 12, 2022. This was the first in-person meeting since the Fall of…
Read MoreWhite Supremacy by Another Name: How Replacement Theory is Fueling Mass Incarceration
There is so much meaning packed into words and phrases. Some intentional and others imagined. Over the years, the NBA’s Prison & Jail Ministries has given its attention to mass incarceration in…
Read MoreAn Anniversary Meal: Rebecca Hale & April Lewton Reflect on 10 Years with NBA in Video Series
A shared meal and the table are iconic symbols in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). At NBA, we often like to meet with friends over a meal or beverage.…
Read MoreImpacting the Future by Growing Leaders Through Adventure and Service
Each year, the National Benevolent Association invites congregations and ministries to apply for a Mission & Ministry Grant. These grants are reserved specifically for projects that will impact older adults or…
Read MoreNBA Invites Three New Organizations to Become Incubate Partners
The National Benevolent Association’s Social Entrepreneurship program is proud to welcome three new social enterprises to our lineup of Incubate Partners. Like all NBA Incubate partners, these organizations are Disciples-related health and social…
Read MoreWellness, Rhythm & Balance: A Retreat for Peer Groups
The NBA resumed travel and hosting in-person events in March, beginning with a combined group retreat for three of our Peer Learning & Wellness Group cohorts. The gathering took place in…
Read MoreStaying Connected: Kansas Christian Home Uses Technology to Help Older Adults Socialize During Pandemic
Each year, the National Benevolent Association invites congregations and ministries to apply for a Mission & Ministry Grant. These grants are reserved specifically for projects that will impact older adults as…
Read MoreCelebrating Our Stories of Cultural Resilience: Sharing Diverse Mental Health Stories
To celebrate and create sacred space for the experiences of AAPI, Black, and Hispanic communities and Disciples, during BIPOC Mental Health month, observed in July, the Mental Health and Wellness program of…
Read MoreNBA Announces Spring 2022 Mission & Ministry Grants
The National Benevolent Association is proud to announce its Spring 2022 Mission & Ministry Grant awardees. NBA’s Mission & Ministry Grants program awarded a total of $203,000 to 28 Disciples projects…
Read MoreMission & Ministry Grants Provide Support for Spiritual Deepening and Emotional Care
Each year, the National Benevolent Association invites congregations and ministries to apply for a Mission & Ministry Grant. These grants are reserved specifically for projects that will impact older adults as…
Read MoreSupporting Sustainability: Invested Faith Seeds $10,000 into NBA Social Entrepreneurs
For 5 years, the National Benevolent Association has hosted the SENT Seminar every fall. This educational conference was created to engage entrepreneurs and inspire potential entrepreneurs who were interested in…
Read MorePeer Learning & Wellness Groups Create a Place to Connect, Be Seen and Heard
In January 2021, when the NBA Community Engagement program was established, it was done to intentionally create spaces for justice and healing, particularly for communities of color. Our continued commitment is to…
Read MoreMental Health, Wellness, and My Faith Journey
As a holistic wellness specialist, mental health and faith have always been a major part of my life. In being asked the question, “What role does mental health and wellness…
Read MoreFaith-Based Black HIV/AIDS Awareness & Prevention Guide
The National Benevolent Association offers a resource for communities of faith to learn about the HIV/AIDS epidemic and how it disproportionately affects the Black community. The content for this guide…
Read MoreBecoming a Trauma-Informed Church
When my husband and I dreamed of starting a Trauma-Informed Church a couple of years ago, we could not have anticipated that our start would coincide with a massive global…
Read More3 Mitos Acerca del Suicidio y Como la Iglesia Puede Abordarlos
Nota del editor: Este blog fue escrito por Denisse C. Lamas, quien es una trabajadora social clínica licenciada que reside y trabaja en el estado de la Florida. Ella se desempeña…
Read MoreVaqueros y Piratas y Puentes
By Rev. Héctor J. Hernández ¡Actuaron como piratas y vaqueros! Salieron estas palabras de sus labios, en forma de un quejido triste. Confundido, le pregunté, “¿A que te refieres?” “Cuando…
Read MoreHABLANDOLE A NUESTROS HIJOS ACERCA DE TIROTEOS EN LAS ESCUELAS / Talking to our Children about School Shootings
Tener y enfrentar el miedo es una parte normal del desarrollo de cada niño. Miedo a la oscuridad, miedo a estar lejos de sus padres y miedo a los peligros…
Read MoreThere’s Always More: Surviving Suicide, Embracing the New
*Content Warning: Mention of suicide attempt* In the summer of 2014, my 24-year marriage came to an unexpected end. The months that followed dragged me int o a deep depression.…
Read MoreNational Benevolent Association Accompanies Racial Justice Work in St. Louis; Rev. Dr. Dietra Wise Baker Serves as NBA Organizing Specialist
September 20, 2017 – As part of the mission of the National Benevolent Association, we seek to “advocate for the well-being of humanity.” The NBA continues to actively support racial justice work across…
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