C4SO is pleased to announce Restoration Abbey in San Marcos, CA, as the most recent recipient of C4SO’s Multiethnic Church Development Fund. Pursuing a vision of a community that embodies God’s shalom, Restoration applied for and received $18,000 to directly support the continuing work of Vania Gomez within the church’s senior leadership team (pictured L-R: Matt Calio, Tony Baron, Kerry Krockett, Alex Aguas, Kelly Perez, Vania Gomez, Matthew Veling).

“Vania is already a gifted pastor, preacher and leader, and we are thrilled to support her,” says the Rev. Dr. Jin Cho, Leader of C4SO’s Rev. 7:9 Task Force, who oversees disbursement of the Fund. “Co-Rectors Alex Aguas and Matthew Veling have a beautiful vision of church and community, and we feel privileged to help in this way.”

Vania is the Pastor of Early Formation at Restoration Abbey. In addition to Alex and Matthew, she works alongside the Rev. Kerry Krockett, Pastor of Belonging; Matt Calio, Music Director; the Rev. Tony Baron, Pastor Emeritus; and Kelly Perez, Ministry Volunteer.

The Restoration team said in a statement: “We are grateful for the support of C4SO to continue to lean into a shared leadership model. It’s our joy at the Abbey to companion Vania, and to be formed by and grow with her on the pastoral team.”

The Multiethnic Church Development Fund supports the work of C4SO churches committed to kingdom communities of diversity. Composed of donations from individuals and churches, the Fund assists local parishes in funding a clergy of color called to a senior-level staff position. Previous recipients of the Fund include Trinity Tampa (the Rev. Mickey Lowe) and Church of the Resurrection L.A. (the Rev. Teesha Hadra).

In 2024, all C4SO churches can join in this vision for Kingdom diversity by:

1. Encouraging the development of clergy of color in church staffing decisions

2. Contributing to the Fund. We need partners to help us replenish the Fund for senior leaders of color in C4SO. Give here and select “Multiethnic Church Development Fund” from the drop-down menu.

3. Applying for the Fund. If you think your church qualifies for the Fund, we encourage you to apply. You must be a C4SO church that has:

    • Demonstrated a commitment to the Revelation 7:9 vision of diversity within your congregation
    • Hired a BIPOC clergy—or is in the process of hiring a BIPOC clergy—called to serve in a senior-level staff position or on track toward such a position. A senior staff position means having positional input into the core direction of the church.

Churches can apply for a variable amount of money, based on their need. We may ask churches with financial ability to make a “matching fund” commitment. C4SO’s team will receive applications and award funds on a rolling basis to allow for changes in church staffing needs/abilities.

“To me, this is the great vision: Multiethnic people being stirred up by God to work in certain places and spaces through their gifts,” Bishop Todd says. “That’s what I want to encourage with the Multiethnic Church Development Fund.”

To apply for the Multiethnic Church Development Fund, contact the Rev. Dr. Jin Cho.