The John Wesley Fellowship Program
The centerpiece of AFTE has always been the John Wesley Fellowship program.
Because commitment to the renewal of United Methodist theological education in a more evangelical direction is primary, AFTE seeks to provide the church with first-rate scholars trained in the classical Wesleyan tradition to fill faculty positions.

Each year AFTE awards up to five John Wesley Fellowships to assist gifted United Methodists in their doctoral studies at the finest universities. Candidates are selected for their commitment to Christ and the church as well as for their academic excellence.
Fellowships are usually given for four years. At present, the average fellowship grant is $10,000 per academic year. With approximately 12 Fellows in the program at any one time, AFTE spends nearly $120,000 each year on direct grants.

The expense of the program is more than justified in light of the influence professors have. They affect hundreds of future United Methodist ministers during their careers. The possibilities for church renewal are exciting!

From the point of view of the students, the Fellowship program is absolutely necessary. The cost of graduate school has skyrocketed. Tuition, not counting books, fees, room or board, easily exceeds $10,000 annually. By the time students obtain their Ph.D.s, debts can surpass $60,000. This level of debt is very difficult for modestly paid professors to repay.

The Christmas Conference
Each year, in the fortnight before Christmas, present and former John Wesley Fellows gather for personal and professional exchange. Undertaking a Ph.D. program can be a lonely and grueling experience. The Christmas Conference (named in honor of the founding annual conference of American Methodism) helps developing scholars get to know and share ideas with other Fellows.

Catalyst Newsletter
AFTE also sponsors Catalyst, a scholarly newsletter which is sent to over 5,000 United Methodist seminary students four times a year. Catalyst focuses on stimulating serious consideration of classical Christianity. The newsletter alerts seminarians to significant resources and highlights evangelical perspectives on Christian faith and action.
www.catalystresources.org