APU Receives $1.25 Million Lilly Endowment Compelling Preaching Grant

As part of the Lilly Endowment’s Compelling Preaching Initiative, Azusa Pacific University recently received a $1,249,837 grant to support the Formation of the Preacher for More Effective and Engaging Preaching project. This initiative, which will be implemented by APU’s Center for Vocational Ministry (CVM) in collaboration with the School of Theology, will be funded by the grant from January 2024 through December 2028.

“Through this work, we will help aspiring and current preachers to define their personal theology of preaching, while also learning alongside other preachers,” said Jenn Graffius, DMin, executive director of CVM. “Compelling preaching is more than just “good” preaching. It is the transformational, instructive, hope-building, action-inducing, community-centered delivery of the good news. This robust theology of preaching will impact the preachers, and have a transformative impact on churches and communities." Instructed by renowned pastors and preaching scholars, the Formation of the Preacher project offers a continuing education certificate in transformational preaching. This comprehensive program encompasses all levels of the formational process of a preacher and is open to pastors at all stages of their career (including undergraduate and graduate ministry students). Designed to provide a means for the academy and the church to collaborate, this program will provide pastors and ministry leaders with robust mentoring training, peer-to-peer mentoring, preaching conferences, coaching, and lectures from renowned pastors. Special focus will be given to women in ministry, pastors of color, and those serving in solo pastor congregations.

"In 1899, Azusa Pacific University was founded as the Training School for Christian Workers, and today APU continues to train Christian workers to become agents of change in the world for the cause of Christ, “ said Azusa Pacific University President Adam J. Morris, PhD. “Through the Compelling Preaching Initiative, we pray that pastors will grow in their theology of preaching and be transformed while learning alongside others in community, for the sake of the Kingdom and the church."

APU is one of 81 organizations receiving grants through this competitive round of the Compelling Preaching Initiative. Reflecting the diversity of Christianity in the United States, the organizations are affiliated with mainline Protestant, Evangelical, Catholic, Orthodox, Anabaptist and Pentecostal faith communities. Many of the organizations are rooted in the Black Church and in Hispanic and Asian American Christian traditions.

“Throughout history, preachers often have needed to adapt their preaching practices to engage new generations of hearers more effectively,” said Christopher L. Coble, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for religion. “We are pleased that the organizations receiving grants in this initiative will help pastors and others in ministry engage in the kinds of preaching needed today to ensure that the gospel message is heard and accessible for all audiences.”

The Lilly Endowment launched the Compelling Preaching Initiative in 2022 because of its interest in supporting projects that help to nurture the religious lives of individuals and families and foster the growth and vitality of Christian congregations in the U.S.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. A principal aim of the Endowment’s religion grantmaking is to deepen and enrich the lives of Christians in the United States, primarily by seeking out and supporting efforts that enhance the vitality of congregations and strengthen the pastoral and lay leadership of Christian communities. The Endowment also seeks to improve public understanding of diverse religious traditions by supporting fair and accurate portrayals of the role religion plays in the United States and across the globe.