The Center for Ministry in Jackson is offering Mississippi ministers as much as $5,000 in grants through its Pastoral Excellence Project.

The grants are to assist clergy peer groups in expanding their ministry and projects, and are not available to individual applicants.

Eligibility requirements include groups that have between five and 12 ordained clergymen, been formed at least 12 months before submitting a proposal and have met at least five times during the last 12 months.

Groups are encouraged to submit proposals two months prior to the start of their projects, and groups with racial, gender and/or denominational diversity will receive priority. Proposals are reviewed the first week of each month.

The Center for Ministry was founded in 1999, and is associated with Millsaps College and the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church.

For more information, call 601-974-1488 or visit www.centerforministry.com.