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Is God calling you in a new direction? Perhaps to church ministry? Do you need help to fulfill this calling? FAQs Who is eligible? How much is available for each approved applicant? What is expected of the recipient of this grant? How do I apply? How can I contribute to this fund? Who are past recipients of ACLF grants and how are they serving the church? What is MEDA or Delaware Valley MEDA? Who is Clayton Kratz and why is this a memorial to him?

Area Conference Leadership Fund A Clayton Kratz Memorial (sponsored by Delaware Valley MEDA and the Mennonite churches of Franconia and Eastern District Conferences) Mission To financially assist persons, who have been affirmed with gifts and a calling for church ministry, to obtain an Anabaptist church leadership training or seminary education. Goal To provide Anabaptist-trained leaders for Mennonite congregations. Area Conference Leadership Fund A fund has been established, through contributions by the Delaware Valley chapter of Mennonite Economic Development Associates and others, to assist persons who are applying for an Anabaptist church leadership and/or seminary education in preparation for church-related ministries. Nontraditional forms of education, such as distance learning and e-mail, will be considered in addition to on-campus experiences. A board appointed by Delaware Valley MEDA, Franconia Mennonite and Eastern District Conferences will administer the fund. The funds are intended to be disbursed as grants for this education. Who is eligible? Persons who are known to the Conference Ministry systems of Franconia Mennonite Conference and Eastern District Conference. Persons who are applying for an Anabaptist church leadership training or seminary education. Special consideration may be given for persons enrolling with a non-Anabaptist institution, if the focus is consistent with Anabaptist beliefs. Persons who have the confirmation and support (financially and spiritually) of his/her home church and family for his/her church leadership gifts. All persons, regardless of gender or ethnicity, are encouraged to apply. How much is available for each recipient? One-third of the total educational costs, up to $5,000 annually (as long as this amount does not exceed the total cost of tuition, books, and supplies). Additional educational costs, such as: lodging, food, child care, transportation, etc. will be paid by recipient through his/her home church, family, loans, scholarships, etc. What is expected of the recipient of this grant? Have the written support, both financially and spiritually, of his/her home church and family, including evidence of calling and gifting. Provide written documentation of the need for assistance (from the institution providing the education, the church, and/or other evidence). During studies, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Full-time studies or enrollment is not required. During studies or when they are completed, obtain a position that utilizes the skills, wisdom and knowledge learned during this educational process (i.e. pastor, Bible teacher, leader of a church institution, etc.) How do I apply? Obtain an Application Form from: The Mennonite Conference Center in Souderton, PA; phone: 215-723-5513 (see address below) Applications can also be printed from this Web site. Mennonite churches of Franconia Mennonite and Eastern District Conferences Submit above application, along with a *written documentation of need and a *written affirmation of gifts and calling from church and family, to:    Director of Finance    Mennonite Conference Center    771 Route 113    Souderton, PA 18964 *Online applications must be accompanied by these documents sent by mail. Applications and supporting documents must be received by May 1 for fall sessions. Applicants will be notified by July 1. How can I contribute to this fund? Contributions benefit future Mennonite church leaders to develop their knowledge and skills for building God's kingdom and leading the church into the future. Your tax-deductible contributions can be sent to: Area Conference Leadership Fund Mennonite Conference Center 771 Route 113 Souderton, PA 18964 Write check to: Franconia Mennonite Conference (designated for the ACLF) Past Recipients of Area Conference Leadership Fund Grants For a list of past recipients of the ACLF grants and what they are doing today, click here. What is MEDA or Delaware Valley MEDA? MEDA is Mennonite Economic Development Associates, an international organization, dedicated to bringing hope, opportunity and economic well being to low income people around the world through a business-oriented approach to development. The Delaware Valley chapter of MEDA, formerly known as the Clayton Kratz Fellowship, has been based in Souderton, Pennsylvania for more than 55 years, as an association of Christian business and professional leaders. Its vision includes providing activities that encourage the integration of biblical values and business principles in daily life, nurturing business and church leadership, and supporting the disadvantaged through economic development in domestic and international settings. One local outreach of MEDA is ASSETS Montco, creating the opportunity for entrepreneurs to become skilled in daily business operations by providing business training and matching entrepreneurs with a mentor. Who is Clayton Kratz and why is this a memorial to him? Clayton Kratz was a young Mennonite man from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who felt the call from God to go to the Ukraine in 1920 to help bring relief supplies to starving Mennonites in the aftermath of the Bolshevik revolution. He disappeared during his relief trip and was never seen again, presumed to be killed. His life was an inspiration to many young persons in eastern Pennsylvania. Local business persons, attempting to live out their faith through their work, formed the Clayton Kratz Fellowship (see above), named in honor of the young martyr. This fund was established with money from the Delaware Valley chapter of MEDA in an attempt to raise up more young Mennonite leaders, like Clayton Kratz. top