The word "ministry" comes from the Greek word "diakoneo," which translates to "to serve," according to the Got Questions Ministries website. The 12 apostles were early ministers who were encouraged to give sermons, baptize and establish churches. Christian ministries seek to help those less fortunate, including attending to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of others. To provide assistance for Christian ministries to do their work, numerous grants are available.

Ivy League Ministries

The Christian Union, a nonprofit Christian ministry that was established to convey honor and praise to Jesus Christ at the eight Ivy League institutions (Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn, Princeton and Yale), offers grants for Christian ministries in the Ivy League. Grants between $500 and $2,000 are awarded. The Christian Union offers grants for projects that support evangelism, unity and prayer; Christian speakers; and administrative assistance for ministry affairs.

Christian Union 240 Nassau Street Princeton, NJ 08542 (609) 688-1700 involve.christian-union.org

Acts 1:8 Ministry

The Acts 1:8 Ministry, an international ministry established in 2002, offers grants through its foundation. Foundation grants provide assistance to churches and ministries who put Planned Acts of Christian Kindness programs into operation. The foundation offers a maximum of $250 to accepted applicants.

Acts 1:8 2121 South Oneida Street Green Bay, WI 54304 (920) 494-2289 acts18.org

Community Christian Ministries

In Michigan, the Community Christian Ministries, a stewardship-based organization that was established in the 1920s, offers financial assistance to Christian agencies that administer to the poor and disadvantaged in the greater Grand Rapids area. By partnering with other nonprofit organizations, Community Christian Ministries is able to provide grants ranging from $400 to $5,000.

Community Christian Ministries P.O. Box 282 Grandville, MI 49468-0282 (616) 669-5051 ccmfoundation.org

Christian Ministries Scholarship Fund

The Christian Ministries Scholarship Fund offers aid to individuals who are training for a career in Christian ministry; financial assistance is awarded for seminary and undergraduate education. The fund is targeted toward individuals from the Christian Church of Mid-America region, which encompasses portions of Missouri and Illinois. To be eligible, an individual needs to belong to a Christian church in the Mid-America region. Preference is given to students at accredited seminaries, but full-time and part-time seminary and undergrad scholars may qualify to receive funding.

The Christian Church of Mid-America 3328 Bennett Lane Jefferson City, MO 65110-4298 (573) 636-8149 mid-americadisciples.org

Christian Fund for the Disabled

Joni and Friends, an international evangelical outreach program that focuses on people affected by disabilities, offers grants through the Christian Fund for the Disabled. Funding is provided to help meet the basic and spiritual needs of people with disabilities and their families. The Christian Fund for the Disabled also strives to increase awareness about disabilities and prepare Christians in disability ministry.

The Christian Fund for the Disabled focuses on providing funding for rehabilitation, adaptive equipment and special treatments that may not be covered under insurance; grants are also awarded for educational opportunities that center on disability issues. Grants up to $2,500 are available nationally; international grants are available up to $1,000.

Joni and Friends International Disability Center 30009 Ladyface Court Agoura Hills, CA 91376-3333 (818) 707-5664 joniandfriends.org