New 2025 Global Ministries EarthKeepers
United Methodist Global Ministries and UMCOR | Updated Nov. 5, 2025
ATLANTA – Global Ministries commissioned 72 new EarthKeepers in an online service on Tuesday, Nov. 4. This service affirmed the EarthKeepers in their call to the ministry of creation care and blessed their work in their communities. The service will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/GlobalMinistries.
Global Ministries EarthKeepers is a training program to equip United Methodists in the United States for environmental stewardship. Participants discuss theology, United Methodist resources, community organizing and antiracism, and then use what they learn to develop an environmental project for their churches and communities. The program supports people looking to turn an idea into action and those who want to deepen an existing ministry. Participants develop plans in conversation with their peers, troubleshooting ideas and sharing strategies.
With 2025 trainings held online and in Des Moines, Washington, this group of EarthKeepers represents 24 annual conferences and all five jurisdictions. Participants include clergy, laity, annual conference staff and agency staff.
“The vital leadership of Global Ministries EarthKeepers is an alternative to the political, economic, and social forces that undermine the flourishing of God’s creation,” said Roland Fernandes, general secretary of Global Ministries and General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. “Their projects bring positive environmental impact and real hope to communities throughout the United States.
“At a time when environmental programs in the United States, both secular and religious, are being defunded and closed, Global Ministries EarthKeepers is flourishing with vision and purpose,” said the Rev. Jenny Phillips, director of Environmental Sustainability. “More EarthKeepers have been trained in 2025 than in any other year in the program’s nine-year history. Their projects are remarkably bold and ambitious, meeting the challenges of this moment.”
This is the ninth year that the EarthKeepers commissioning service has been held online, allowing EarthKeepers nationwide to participate along with their family, friends and church community.
To read more about EarthKeepers projects and to get updates on 2026 trainings, join the Global Ministries Creation Care Network by downloading the app or visiting http://creationcare.umcmission.org/signup.