LAKELAND — The recent strength of United States investment markets has resulted in millions of dollars in capital gains for the denomination’s General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM), according to Michael Rivas, GBGM’s deputy general secretary. Some of that money may soon be reinvested in inner city ministries throughout the Florida Conference.

“Capital gains on investments are being made available for designation by the board of directors [of GBGM] to address very special needs the church has had for some time that the church has not been able to address due to lack of funds,” Rivas said.

One of those needs is developing inner city ministries, both in the United States and abroad. GBGM has set aside $5 million in a new Inner City Development Fund to provide money to “expand or create programs that would not have been possible before,” Rivas said.

GBGM is now searching globally for mission partners with the goal of “working together in planning and researching mission opportunities, especially ministry in the inner city,” Rivas said. The general board would provide resources, consultation and financial support through block grants from the fund, while the partner conference would be responsible for the local administration of the funds and ministries.

Last March, GBGM General Secretary Randy Nugent met with the Florida Conference’s bishop and cabinet to discuss how the Florida Conference might partner with the general board to address the conference’s urban needs, according to Miami District Superintendent Clarke Campbell-Evans.

“The dialogue was to follow up on something Bishop [Cornelius L.] Henderson started,” Campbell-Evans said. “We are in the process of exploring a relationship…with GBGM on inner city resources.”

The discussion at that preliminary meeting focused on what the conference would do if it received a block grant. “The overall vision is to do comprehensive ministry,” Campbell-Evans said, “investing money in a place where real, comprehensive, life-changing ministry can take place.”

The cabinet identified eight urban areas where the money could be used: Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Gainesville and Tallahassee. Some of the ideas presented included ministry to people with AIDS and children of adults with AIDS, purchasing land and facilities for a comprehensive ministry center, responding to refugees in Florida, restoring buildings already housing ministries, and revitalizing existing inner city churches.

The cabinet also recommended forming a task force of district superintendents from the proposed urban areas, conference staff and representatives from conference mission and ethnic committees. The Rev. Gene Parks, a retired Florida Conference pastor, has been asked to lead the process of developing a proposal that will be submitted to GBGM.

Although the partnership between the conference and GBGM is still preliminary, Campbell-Evans says he is very encouraged. “I think it’s a wonderful opportunity,” he said. “No people of faith are better equipped to provide ministry to people of the inner city than United Methodists.”