Electricians install photovoltaic solar panels on a house roof. (Photo Courtesy of Global Ministries)
Global Ministries | August 26, 2026
Across the United States, United Methodist congregations are already serving as lifelines in their communities—from Metropolitan United Methodist Church’s Beacon Center in Alabama, which hosts as many as 37 different programs supporting their community, to Hope UMC’s clothing closet and food pantry ministry distributing thousands of pounds of food in Michigan, and Community United Methodist Church’s rural food ministry in Southern California. These are just a few of the many United Methodist churches providing critical services to vulnerable populations.
But what happens when a natural or humanmade disaster strikes, and the power goes out? Or the grid fails to supply electricity? Many of these ministries are disrupted, and some even have to close their doors to those in need.
Some churches may have investigated ways to reduce their energy costs, and at the same time, improve their resilience in the face of increasingly powerful natural disasters caused by climate change and a power grid strained by new data centers supporting AI technologies. But between planning, financing, procuring, and implementation, the process for adding solar and battery storage can be challenging to navigate. Mentorship and support throughout the process can make a real difference.
Recognizing an opportunity to bring together the unique experience in guiding UMC churches through implementation of solar and battery technologies led by Global Ministries Environmental Sustainability unit with UMCOR’s expertise in empowering communities to become more resilient through training and grant-making, a new pilot program was born.
The UMC Solar and Battery Pilot Program is designed to help UMC churches serving vulnerable communities procure and install solar and/or batteries, empowering them to build resilience, reduce emissions and energy costs, and ultimately, keep the doors of their critical community service ministries open. Interested churches that meet the eligibility criteria must complete an application.
Photo: Sunpath Solar
Up to 20 churches will be selected for the program, with one to three leaders from each church joining a two-month solar and storage training cohort to receive start-to-finish guidance. Near the end of the program, select participating churches will be invited to apply for an UMCOR grant up to $100,000 to support their projects. A total of $1,000,000 is available.
The training leadership team includes the Rev. Jenny Phillips, Director of Environmental Sustainability at Global Ministries, Hannah Schultz, Program Director at Georgia Interfaith Power and Light, and Eric Walker, clean energy specialist for the Pacific Northwest Conference.
Check out more details on the program, including complete eligibility requirements, training cohort participant responsibilities, participating churches responsibilities, UMCOR grant details, and how to apply here: bit.ly/umcsolarbattery. Applications will be accepted through November 2, 2026, with training sessions beginning January 11, 2027 and ending March 12, 2027.
Wondering if your church is a good fit for this program? Use the Resilience through Solar and Battery Storage Discernment Tool to explore your questions. The higher you score, the more likely it is that your church may be a strong candidate for the program. Also, regardless of your score, be sure to have conversations with your church’s leadership before you apply. It’s important to have buy-in from key stakeholders on the possibility of installing solar and/or battery storage at your church.
After reviewing all the details of the new program, if you have questions, reach out to environment@umcmission.org. Include your church name, city, state, and conference in your message.
Looking for other ways to engage with creation care? Explore all the opportunities available through Global Ministries Environmental Sustainability, including the Global Ministries EarthKeepers program, celebrating 10 years of equipping United Methodists to lead creation care projects in their communities!