As you may know, the Bart Ehrman Foundation and Blog are embarking on our first-ever annual appeal in support of the incredible work done by Urban Ministries of Durham (UMD). For years, the blog has been a steadfast supporter of UMD, an organization dedicated to providing essential services such as food, shelter, and hope to those in need. Since UMD became the very first charitable organization we partnered with, our blog community has donated over $1 million to their cause—including $110,000 in 2024 alone. Now, we invite you to join us in continuing this legacy of compassion and impact.

As part of this special appeal, every donor will receive an exclusive invitation to a live lecture by Bart Ehrman in January titled “How Jesus Has Transformed the Culture of Giving.” Whether you contribute $5 or $50, your generosity secures you access to this one-of-a-kind event, where Bart will explore how Jesus’ teachings reshaped societal concepts of charity, generosity, and community responsibility. It’s a fascinating discussion that ties directly to the spirit of this season and the transformative power of giving.

Find out the full details and learn how to donate here.

A Closer Look at UMD

To give our audience a deeper understanding of the extraordinary work UMD does, Bart recently sat down with Sheldon Mitchell, UMD’s Executive Director, for an in-depth interview. Sheldon highlighted the organization’s mission, its impact on the local community, and the critical role that donors like you play in making their work possible.

We’ll be back with Part II of this interview next week. In the meantime, we hope you’ll consider donating to support their mission and join us at Bart’s lecture in January. Full details and instructions can be found here.

– The Ehrman Blog Team