Rural Ministries

Charity Number: 200027

Annual Expenditure: £0.3M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Income: £801,376 (2024)
  • Annual Expenditure: £339,882 (2024)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly specified
  • Grant Range: Not publicly specified (provides “pump-priming resources” and “financial help”)
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide, with particular focus on rural areas
  • Application Method: No public application process - relationship-based

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 293, Royston, SG8 1FS

Phone: 01763 878539

Email: office@ruralministries.org.uk

Website: www.ruralministries.org.uk

Contact for inquiries: simon@ruralministries.org.uk

Note: They can only follow up enquiries from churches and individuals based in the UK.

Overview

Rural Ministries (RM) was founded in 1962 (formerly known as Datchet Evangelical Fellowship) as an interdenominational mission agency focused on supporting rural churches. With over 60 years of experience, the charity works to support rural churches in their growth and development and assist in the planting of new rural churches. The organization has partnered with over 85 churches and pioneers across the UK and maintains connections with a further 1,300 churches. For the financial year ending March 31, 2024, the charity reported total income of £801,376 (primarily from donations and legacies at £726,210) and total expenditure of £339,882, with the vast majority (£332,786) directed towards charitable activities. The organization is led by a Board of Trustees consisting of individuals from various denominations who share a passion for mission and church growth.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Rural Ministries does not operate traditional grant programs with fixed amounts or application deadlines. Instead, they provide “pump-priming resources” and “in some situations financial help” to those developing rural mission initiatives. Their support is integrated within broader programmatic offerings:

  • Pioneer Incubators: Provides mentors, training, access to experienced practitioners, administration support, and potential investment backing for rural pioneers and entrepreneurs developing new mission ideas
  • Learning Communities: Space and structure for creative thinking to address rural ministry challenges
  • Rural Mission Hubs: Prayer-based communities acting as rural centres of mission in partnership with RM, offering regional gathering points for pioneers and practitioners

Priority Areas

  • Rural church planting and revitalization
  • Mission and evangelism in rural contexts
  • Leadership development tailored to rural settings
  • Supporting rural pioneers and entrepreneurs with innovative ministry ideas
  • Networking practitioners and rural churches together
  • Spiritual and practical support from experienced staff
  • Teaching, training, and raising the profile of rural mission

What They Support

Support is available for:

  • Those in the inherited church
  • Those who have recently begun a church
  • Church leaders in rural contexts
  • Rural pioneers with developing ideas
  • Churches rethinking mission in rural communities
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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The charity is governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of individuals from various denominations and church backgrounds. As of recent records, trustees include:

  • Stephen Ralph Spurgeon (Chair, appointed 2003) - Leads the Board of Trustees and is one of the leaders at All Saints, Sproughton
  • Rev Yann Dubreuil (appointed 2020) - Vicar of the parish of All Saints, Headley (Hampshire-Surrey border)
  • Paul Susans (appointed 2011) - Accountant
  • Timothy Lea (appointed 2018) - Consultant who works across education, voluntary and faith sectors; member of the National Fresh Expressions team
  • Kevin - Church and Community Pastor of Parkview Chapel, Botesdale, Suffolk (in post since 2009)
  • Hilary - Small Church Enabler for the London Baptist Association and author of 'A Toolbox for Small Churches'

Leadership Team

  • Rev Simon Mattholie - CEO of Rural Ministries (served until recently as of 2024); lives on a farm in Clare, Suffolk where he is the minister of the Baptist Church; co-chairs the Churches Rural Group since November 2020

The charity has 4 employees and 5 trustees. No trustees receive remuneration or payments from the charity, and no employees have total benefits over £60,000.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Rural Ministries does not have a public application process for grants. Financial support is provided on a discretionary basis through relationship-based engagement with the organization.

Churches and pioneers interested in support should:

  1. Contact the organization through their website or email (office@ruralministries.org.uk)
  2. Engage with their network and programs (pioneer incubators, learning communities, rural mission hubs)
  3. Build relationships with staff and trustees through their events and training opportunities
  4. Discuss specific needs directly with the team

The organization describes their approach as providing “support, practical resources and in some situations financial help to those who have been disrupted by God with an idea.”

Getting on Their Radar

Network Engagement: Join Rural Ministries' growing network of churches, people, and organizations passionate about rural mission. They keep network members updated with latest news, events, campaigns, and opportunities.

Annual Conference: Attend the Love Rural National Rural Mission Conference (held annually in September). The 2025 conference features keynote speakers including the Bishop of Exeter (Mike Harrison) and Rev Simon Mattholie.

Regional Hubs: Connect with Rural Mission Hubs - prayer-based communities that act as rural centres of mission in partnership with RM, providing regional gathering points for rural pioneers and practitioners.

Pioneer Incubator: Those developing new mission ideas can join the pioneer incubator program, which provides mentors, training, and access to experienced practitioners. This program is described as helping “rural pioneers and entrepreneurs and those beginning to develop new ideas for mission.”

Direct Contact: The organization encourages direct contact through their contact form or email. Simon Mattholie (simon@ruralministries.org.uk) can be contacted for specific inquiries. They facilitate support groups for every pioneer and provide theological reflection, sounding boards for new ideas, and pastoral oversight.

Application Success Factors

Since Rural Ministries operates through relationship-based engagement rather than formal applications, success in receiving support depends on:

Alignment with Mission: The organization seeks to support those who are “rethinking mission and reimaging what church needs to look like to make disciples who make disciples” in rural contexts. Projects should demonstrate innovative thinking about rural ministry.

Rural Context: Clear focus on rural communities and understanding of rural ministry challenges. The organization specializes in "'out of the box' thinking, enabling and encouraging those who serve God within the margins of the rural context."

Pioneer Spirit: As stated on their website, RM "loves to inspire, facilitate and resource to enable people to 'join in with what God is already doing.'“ They look for those who have been ”disrupted by God with an idea."

Network Participation: Engagement with RM's network, events, and training programs demonstrates commitment to rural mission and allows the organization to understand your work and needs.

Theological Reflection: The organization provides space for “creative and entrepreneurial thinking” combined with theological reflection. Projects that combine practical innovation with theological grounding are valued.

Collaboration: The organization emphasizes networking practitioners and rural churches together. Willingness to collaborate and share learning with others in the network is important.

Missional Listening: RM has witnessed success through “Missional Listening” which has led to “people journeying to Jesus and seen the organic planting of churches and the reinvigoration of existing churches.”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No formal application process exists - support is relationship-based and integrated within their broader programmatic offerings including pioneer incubators, learning communities, and rural mission hubs
  • Join the network first - engage with their events, training, and regional hubs to build relationships and demonstrate commitment to rural mission
  • Interdenominational focus - the charity works across denominational boundaries with trustees and partners from various church backgrounds
  • Pioneer support is central - they specifically support those with innovative ideas for rural mission and church planting, not just existing programs
  • Long-term relationship building - with over 60 years of experience and connections to 1,300+ churches, this is an organization that values sustained engagement
  • Attend Love Rural conference - the annual September conference provides networking opportunities with trustees, staff, and the wider rural mission community
  • Financial support is selective - while they mention providing “pump-priming resources” and “financial help in some situations,” this appears to be a smaller part of their work compared to training, networking, and practical support

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References

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Rural Ministries fund?

Grant Programs Rural Ministries does not operate traditional grant programs with fixed amounts or application deadlines. Instead, they provide "pump-priming resources" and "in some situations financial help" to those developing rural mission initiatives.

How much funding does Rural Ministries provide?

Rural Ministries provides grants ranging from Not publicly specified (provides "pump-priming resources" and "financial help").

How do I contact Rural Ministries?

Address: PO Box 293, Royston, SG8 1FS Phone: 01763 878539 Email: office@ruralministries. org.

Is Rural Ministries a registered charity?

Yes, Rural Ministries is a registered charity with the Charity Commission (charity number 200027). They primarily serve organisations in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Throughout England And Wales.

How do I apply to Rural Ministries?

How to Apply Rural Ministries does not have a public application process for grants. Financial support is provided on a discretionary basis through relationship-based engagement with the organization. Churches and pioneers interested in support should: Contact the organization through their website or email (office@ruralministries.

Where is Rural Ministries based?

Rural Ministries is based in Royston. They fund organisations in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Throughout England And Wales.