Christian Theological Seminary, an ecumenical seminary based in Indianapolis, today announces 198 congregations from across the United States have been selected to receive grants through the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations and the Lilly Endowment National Clergy Renewal Program. The grants help congregations honor and support their pastors by enabling them to experience a period of extended rest and renewal. The clergy who benefit from these grants pursue activities unique to their interests that encourage them to reflect and renew through travel, scholarly research, or immersive experiences with different cultures and traditions.
“Pastors play such important roles in nurturing the spiritual lives of individuals and families and guiding the ministries of congregations,” said Christopher L. Coble, Vice President for Religion at Lilly Endowment. “Yet the demands of ministry can seem relentless. We hope that these grants will help congregations honor their pastors for their extraordinary service and give them time to step away for rest and renewal so they can come back to their communities reenergized.”
Congregations in the 2024 programs represent the broad spectrum of Christian traditions, including Roman Catholic and Orthodox parishes and congregations from 25 Protestant denominations. In harmony with the spirit of these programs, congregations and their pastors collaborated to craft plans designed to replenish, restore, and renew pastors in their ministries.
Pastors plan to use grant funds in support of domestic and international travel. For example, one pastor will visit churches with historical significance for their denomination in Italy, Greece, and Germany. Another pastor will visit the mountain in Puerto Rico where their great grandfather first felt called to ministry then visit a church built on land donated by their grandmother on the island’s west side.
In addition to travel as a form of renewal, some pastors will use time away from their congregations to engage in new spiritual disciplines, focus on time with loved ones, and explore topics that renew their excitement for preaching and congregational life. Grants will also fund renewal activities for congregations while their pastors are away. These include practicing contemplative exercises among the trees at local parks, sharing a meal together each week during the pastors leave as they explore Jesus’ practice of gospel mission and table fellowship, and a congregation-wide seminar focused on themes of identity, purpose, and calling.
Dr. Robert Saler, Director of the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs at Christian Theological Seminary, noted that the grant programs integrate elements of support, trust, and encouragement, which are all indicators of healthy congregations. “The programs are designed to affirm an innate human need to balance active service to others with periods of reflection and renewal. Our goal is that these programs supply congregations with the means to express appreciation for their leaders and actively invest in their pastors’ health and energy for continued ministry,” Saler said.
Since Lilly Endowment introduced the Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations and the National Clergy Renewal Program in 1999 and 2000 respectively, more than 4,293 congregations throughout the United States and in Puerto Rico have received grants in support of renewal experiences for their pastors.
In 2024, the combined Clergy Renewal Programs awarded grants totaling more than $11M. Congregations were invited to propose grants of up to $60,000. The process encourages active engagement between congregations and their pastors in designing and developing the renewal experiences. As part of the programs, pastors can include their families in the renewal experience. Congregations may budget up to $20,000 of the maximum grant toward expenses for interim pastoral leadership, send-off and return celebrations, as well as activities designed for congregational renewal.
Christian Theological Seminary has administered the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs since 2012. “Amidst all the rigors of ministry in a changing world, these grants enable pastors and their congregations to actively partake in the gifts of retreat and renewal that are so needed today,” Saler says.
Award Recipients in the National Clergy Renewal Program:
Alabama
Birmingham, AL – Highlands United Methodist Church, the Rev. Mikah Hudson
Mobile, AL – Government Street Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Dr. Rebekah Abel Lamar
Pike Road, AL – Saint James Community Development Corp., the Rev. Dr. Benjamin Jones
Vestavia Hills, AL – Vestavia Hills Baptist Church, the Rev. Mike McBrayer
Arizona
Phoenix, AZ – First Congregational United Church of Christ, the Rev. Susan Valiquette
Scottsdale, AZ – New Covenant Lutheran Church, the Rev. Dr. Steven Kruse
Sun City, AZ – Palm West Community Church, the Rev. James Powell
Tucson, AZ – Casas Adobes Congregational UCC, the Rev. Michael Bush
Arkansas
Rogers, AR – St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church, the Very Rev. John Wehling
California
Buena Park, CA – Southern California God’s Family Church, the Rev. Daeho Yu
Compton, CA – Ministerio a La Luz de La Palabra, the Rev. Dr. Mario Ernesto Salamanca Mejia
Concord, CA – First Christian Church of Concord, the Rev. Dr. Leslie Taylor
Glendale, CA – Expression 58 Church, the Rev. Jennifer Toledo
Irvine, CA – University United Methodist Church, the Rev. Catherine Capp
Laguna Beach, CA – Neighborhood Church of Laguna Beach, the Rev. Rodrick Echols
Lancaster, CA – theBLEND Church Family, the Rev. Courtney Armento
Los Angeles, CA – Chinese Christian Alliance Church, the Rev. Preston Lee
Los Angeles, CA – Los Angeles Onnuri Church, the Rev. Jeong Yup Lee
Los Angeles, CA – Virgin Mary Ethiopian Orthodox Cathedral, the Rev. Dr. Melaku Terefe
Los Gatos, CA – St. Luke’s Parish, the Rev. Ricardo Avila
Lynwood, CA – Lynwood Grace Hispanic Church of the Nazarene, the Rev. Dr. Moises Lopez
Newport Beach, CA – Harbor Christian Church, the Rev. Sadie Cullumber
Sacramento, CA – Midtown Covenant Church, the Rev. Efrem Smith
Sacramento, CA – Valley Hi Covenant Church DBA Common Ground, the Rev. Troy Nichols
San Diego, CA – Normal Heights United Methodist Church, the Rev. Brent Ross
Santa Maria, CA – Templo el Salvador de las Asambleas de Dios, the Rev. Claudio A. Lapidus
Colorado
Aurora, CO – Wellspring Community Church, the Rev. Jeremy Conrad
Centennial, CO – The Vision Church, the Rev. Dong Hoon Lee
Colorado Springs, CO – Beth-El Mennonite Church, the Rev. Jordan Farrell
Colorado Springs, CO – First United Methodist Church, the Rev. Patty Walker
Fort Collins, CO – PEAK Community Church of God, the Rev. Edward Hopkins
Littleton, CO – Heritage United Methodist Church, the Rev. Kirsten Barlow
Connecticut
Stamford, CT – First Congregational Church of Stamford, the Rev. Dr. Nestor Gomez Morales
Florida
Clearwater, FL – Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Rev. Donna Oberkreser
Gainesville, FL – Trinity Metropolitan Community Church, the Rev. Catherine Dearlove
Jacksonville, FL – Zion Korean Baptist Church, the Rev. Pyoung Ok Hur
Miami, FL – Iglesia Vida y Esperanza Miami, the Rev. Dr. Gianni Gracia
Palm Bay, FL – The First Presbyterian Church of Palm Bay, the Rev. Debra Cox
Georgia
Atlanta, GA – Druid Hills Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Elizabeth Soileau Acton
Atlanta, GA – Journey Church of Atlanta, the Rev. Dandy Mejias
Atlanta, GA – Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, the Rev. Jeffery Ott
Clarkesville, GA – First Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Matthew Henderson
Conyers, GA – Springfield Christian Ministries, the Rev. Eric Lee
Decatur, GA – Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church, the Rev. Aaron Robinson
Milledgeville, GA – First Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Susan Balfour
Peachtree City, GA – CrossPointe Church Peachtree City, the Rev. James Vizzini
Snellville, GA – Canaan Land Church International, the Rev. Dr. Don Brawley III
Watkinsville, GA – Ashford Memorial Methodist Church, the Rev. Robert Greene
Illinois
Chicago, IL – Oakdale Covenant Church, the Rev. Dr. D. Darrell Griffin
Geneva, IL – Fox Valley Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Michelle Hwang
Glenview, IL – St. Catherine Laboure Catholic Church, the Rev. Isaac Lara
Hinsdale, IL – Evangelical Covenant Church, the Rev. Lars Stromberg
Normal, IL – Korean Church of Bloomington-Normal, the Rev. Jong Eon Hwang
Oswego, IL – Resolution Church, the Rev. Dr. Jill Richardson
Princeton, IL – Evangelical Covenant Church, the Rev. Derek Boggs
Villa Park, IL – St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Rev. Zachary Wagner
Iowa
Ely, IA – First Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Dr. Julie Schuett
Kansas
Wamego, KS – St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. Catherine Rohleder
Kentucky
Melbourne, KY – Oakland Methodist Church, the Rev. Joseph Kim
Massachusetts
Beverly, MA – Church In The Cove, the Rev. Dr. Gregory Carmer
Ipswich, MA – First Church, the Rev. Rebecca Anne Pugh
Lexington, MA – Pilgrim Congregational Church, the Rev. Reebee Kavich Girash
Newton, MA – Boston Chinese Evangelical Church, the Rev. Kenneth Liu
Springfield, MA – MLK Community Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery
Maine
Newcastle, ME – St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. Suzannah Rohman
Maryland
Ellicott City, MD – Living By The Word Church, the Rev. Ki Chang Kwon
Rockville, MD – Faith United Methodist Church, the Rev. Dr. Laura Norvell
Westminster, MD – St. Mary’s United Church of Christ, the Rev. Samuel Chamelin
Michigan
Detroit, MI – Genesis Lutheran Church, the Rev. Dr. Ken Grant
Grand Rapids, MI – Thornapple Community Church, the Rev. Kent Frens
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI – St. James Lutheran Church, the Rev. Denise Grant
Kalamazoo, MI – Haven Reformed Church, the Rev. Craig Gilbert
Portage, MI – Kalamazoo First Church of the Nazarene, the Rev. Kyle Fellows
Redford, MI – Mercy Road Church, the Rev. Dr. Michael Gorr
Southfield, MI – Life Church Southfield, the Rev. Alan Tumpkin
Southfield, MI – St. David’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. Chris Yaw
Minnesota
Afton, MN – Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, the Rev. Jeremy King
Blue Earth, MN – Trinity Lutheran Church, the Rev. Dr. Jeanette Bidne
Minneapolis, MN – Minnehaha United Methodist Church, the Rev. Rebecca Sechrist
New Brighton, MN – Atonement Lutheran Church, the Rev. Cassandra Nault
Prior Lake, MN – Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, the Rev. Laila Barr
Shakopee, MN – Cristo Obrero, the Rev. Jorge Espinoza Perez
Missouri
Webster Groves, MO – Riverside Church, the Rev. Joseph Choi
Nebraska
Omaha, NE – Westwood Community Church, the Rev. Quinn Tirrel
Dakota City, NE – Salem Lutheran Church, the Rev. Sandra Braasch
New Hampshire
Nashua, NH – Christ the King Lutheran Church, the Rev. Kimberly Hester
New Jersey
Burlington, NJ – Tabernacle Baptist Church, the Rev. Dr. Cory L. Jones
Cranford, NJ – Trinity Church, the Rev. Andrew Kruger
Hopewell, NJ – Calvary Baptist Church, the Rev. Dennis O’Neill
Verona, NJ – Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, the Rev. Jerry Racioppi
Nevada
Las Vegas, NV – Paradise Calvary Chapel, the Rev. Timothy Warholic
New York
Bronx, NY – Iglesia Nuevo Amanecer, La Hermosa, the Rev. Dr. Jose Emilio Lopez
Buffalo, NY – Pilgrim-St. Luke’s, United Church of Christ, the Rev. Nancy Rosas
Croton-on-Hudson, NY – Church of St. Augustine, the Rev. Jennifer Owen
Harrison, NY – Life Point Church, the Rev. Raimondo Paparatti
Hastings-on-Hudson, NY – Grace Episcopal Church, the Rev. Lauren Kuratko
New York, NY – The Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Werner Ramirez
Queens, NY – Faith Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Won Tae Cho
Syosset, NY – Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Rev. Rebecca Sheridan
North Carolina
Apex, NC – Fiesta Cristiana Mission Congregation, the Rev. Jose Luis Villasenor
Chapel Hill, NC – Mount Carmel Baptist Church, the Rev. Barret Freeman
Durham, NC – Aldersgate United Methodist Church, the Rev. Steve Murphy
Durham, NC – All Saints Church, the Rev. Chris Schutte
Durham, NC – Covenant Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Lakesha Easter
Durham, NC – Iglesia Presbiteriana Emanuel, the Rev. Julio Ramirez-Eve
Greenville, NC – Cedarbridge Baptist Church, the Rev. Amy Andrews
Raleigh, NC – Christ the King Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Geoff Bradford
Raleigh, NC – Greystone Baptist Church, the Chrissy Tatum Williamson
Ohio
Cleveland Heights, OH – New Community Bible Fellowship, the Rev. Kevin James
Columbus, OH – Columbus Han-Dle Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Shin-Woong Park
Columbus, OH – North Broadway United Methodist Church, the Rev. Amy Aspey
Perrysburg, OH – Grace Church, the Rev. Dr. Dan Gildner
Shaker Heights, OH – Plymouth Church, United Church of Christ, the Rev. Dr. Matthew Wooster
Oregon
Bend, OR – Antioch Community Church of Bend, the Rev. Amy Kasari
Bend, OR – Story Dwelling, the Rev. Erika Spaet
Canby, OR – Zoar Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Rev. Michelle Manicke
Hillsboro, OR – Table Community Church, the Rev. Dr. Justin Peterson
Portland, OR – Fremont United Methodist Church, the Rev. Erin Martin
Pennsylvania
Downingtown, PA – Windsor Baptist Church, the Rev. Benjamin O’Toole
Harrisburg, PA – Christ the Saviour Orthodox Church, the Very Rev. Stephen Vernak
Oxford, PA – Oxford Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Scott Szabo
Philadelphia, PA – The First Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Dr. Baron Mullis
Philadelphia, PA – The Church of the Holy Trinity, the Revs. Rachel and John Gardner
Philadelphia, PA – Epiphany Fellowship Church, the Rev. Dr. Eric Matthew Mason
West Chester, PA – Christ Church West Chester, the Rev. Dr. Raymond Johnson
South Carolina
Rock Hill, SC – Old Town Church, the Rev. Matthew Cavin
Tennessee
Nashville, TN – Belle Meade United Methodist Church, the Rev. Gracie Dugan
Nashville, TN – Belmont United Methodist Church, the Rev. Heather Harriss
Powell, TN – Powell Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Dr. Katina Sharp
Texas
Austin, TX – Alpha Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Rev. Dr. Laurent Grosvenor
Austin, TX – University Christian Church, the Rev. Megan Peglar
Cleburne, TX – McQueen Universal Ministries, the Rev. Bishop Annmarie McQueen
Fort Worth, TX – Trinity Episcopal Church, the Rev. Dr. Robert F. Pace
Houston, TX – Bering Memorial United Church of Christ, the Rev. Diane McGehee
Houston, TX – Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Clay Brown
Houston, TX – New Life Fellowship Church of Houston, the Rev. Eric D. Shin
Houston, TX – Zion Lutheran Church, the Rev. Dr. Mindy Roll
Keller, TX – WestWind Church, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Rev. Casey Tanguay
Stephenville, TX – St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. Bradley Dyche
Virginia
Alexandria, VA – Bush Hill United Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Dr. Barbara Heck
Alexandria, VA – Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, the Rev. Dr. Carl Johnson
Annandale, VA – John Calvin Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Casey Wait
Harrisonburg, VA – Muhlenberg Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Rev. Lauren Eanes
Richmond, VA – Epiphany Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Rev. Joseph Bolick
Richmond, VA – Mount Tabor Baptist Church, the Rev. Dr. Herbert L. Ponder
Vermont
Georgia, VT – Georgia Plain Baptist Church, the Rev. Tyler Smith
Greensboro, VT – Greensboro United Church of Christ, the Rev. Ed Sunday-Winters
Norwich, VT – Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Upper Valley, the Rev. Jan Hutslar
Washington
Battle Ground, WA – Battle Ground Foursquare Church, the Rev. Elizabeth Sawczuk
Bellingham, WA – St. Paul Episcopal Church, the Rev. Lindsay Ross-Hunt
Des Moines, WA – Grace Lutheran Church, the Rev. Dr. Chad Johnson
Marysville, WA – St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. Dawn Foisie
Richland, WA – Meadow Springs Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Elizabeth O’Connor
Seattle, WA – Christ the Cornerstone Church, the Rev. Timothy Teopilus
Seattle, WA – Seattle First Baptist Church, the Rev. Anita Peebles
Washington D.C.
Washington, D.C. – Washington Community Fellowship, the Rev. Andrew Cheung
Wisconsin
Green Bay, WI – Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Rev. Rachel Knoke
Hudson, WI – First Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Dr. Kendra Grams
Madison, WI – St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Rev. Heather Hayward
Muskego, WI – Lakepoint Church, the Rev. Brian Hofmeister
Wauwatosa, WI – Saint Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Rev. Ann Williams
Wyoming
Worland, WY – Church of St. Mary Magdalen & Church of St. Francis, the Rev. Robert Rodgers
Award Recipients in the Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations:
Amo – Amo First Baptist Church, the Rev. Shelly Zook
Avon – Kingsway Christian Church, the Rev. Robert “Matthew” Nickoson
Elizabethtown – Crossroads Community Church, the Rev. Tracy McIntyre
Evansville – Bethel United Church of Christ, the Rev. Samuel Buehrer
Evansville – Grace Church of the Nazarene, the Rev. Brett Doninger
Floyds Knobs – St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic Church, the Rev. William Marks
Fort Wayne – Broadway Christian Church, the Rev. Nkululeko Ndlovu
Goshen – Bethel Missionary Church, the Rev. Joel Gentz
Goshen – College Mennonite Church, the Rev. Madeline Maldonado
Greenwood – Bethel Chin Baptist Church, the Rev. Daniel Ling
Hope – Hope Moravian Church, the Rev. Andy Kilps
Indianapolis – All Souls Unitarian Church, the Rev. Catherine Griffin
Indianapolis – Amazing Grace Christian Church, the Rev. Dr. Preston Adams
Indianapolis – Bethel Cathedral African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Rev. Dr. Carlos W. Perkins
Indianapolis – Christ Church Cathedral, the Rev. Hipolito Reina
Indianapolis – Eunhye Korean Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Paul Cho
Indianapolis – Faith United Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Charlotte Lohrenz
Indianapolis – Garden Baptist Church, the Rev. Marie Wiese
Indianapolis – First Baptist Church of Indianapolis, the Rev. Evan Bever
Indianapolis – Kingdom Apostolic Ministries, the Rev. Lambert Gates
Indianapolis – New Direction Christian Church, the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Sullivan, Jr.
Indianapolis – Roberts Park United Methodist Church, the Rev. Dr. Andrew D. Scanlan-Holmes
Indianapolis – Soma Downtown Church, the Rev. Kent Livingston
Indianapolis – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. Jeffrey Bower
Indianapolis – St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, the Rev. Varghese Maliakkal
Indianapolis – Saints Constantine and Elena Romanian Orthodox Church, the Rev. David Wey
Indianapolis – True Tried Missionary Baptist Church, the Rev. Dr. Richard Curry
La Porte – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. Michelle Walker
Michigan City – First Presbyterian Church of Michigan City, the Rev. Ericka Kilbourne
Plymouth – Crossroads Evangelical Free Church of Plymouth, the Rev. Scott Yoder
Princeton – Grace Fellowship Wesleyan Church, the Rev. Amber Cook
South Bend – St. Mathew Catholic Cathedral Parish, the Rev. Andrew Budzinski
South Bend – Christ the King Lutheran Church, the Rev. Caroline Satre
Terre Haute – St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. Andrew Downs
West Lafayette – Chapel of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, the Rev. Dr. Hilary Cooke
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. Although the Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, it maintains a special commitment to its founders’ 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. Additional information about Lilly Endowment is available at lillyendowment.org.
About Christian Theological Seminary
Located in Indianapolis, IN, Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) is a fully accredited ecumenical seminary, open to all, affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Its School of Theology and School of Counseling offer graduate and doctoral degrees, certificates, and lifelong learning programs. More than 30 denominations are represented among CTS faculty and students. Additional information about CTS is available at www.cts.edu.
