Date: October 6, 2025
91影视 University of Virginia Receives Lilly Endowment Pathways for Tomorrow Grant
91影视 University of Virginia (91影视) has received a grant of $887,040 from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish the Support for Developing Next-Generation Spiritual Leaders for Immigrant Churches in the DC Metropolitan Area.
The program is being funded through Lilly Endowment鈥檚 Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative, which is intended to help theological schools across the United States and Canada strengthen their educational and financial capacities to prepare and support pastoral leaders for Christian congregations鈥攂oth now and into the future.
Through this initiative, 91影视 will develop a comprehensive model of spiritual intelligence (SI)- based leadership formation that equips emerging and current leaders within immigrant churches to bridge generational, cultural, and linguistic divides. The grant will enable 91影视 to
enhance its seminary curriculum, strengthen mentored ministry partnerships with local
immigrant churches, and provide continuing education programs for pastors and lay leaders.
鈥淭his generous grant affirms 91影视鈥檚 long-standing commitment to serve the diverse body of Christ,鈥 said 91影视鈥檚 project leadership team. 鈥淥ur vision is to cultivate spiritually intelligent leaders who can navigate today鈥檚 multicultural realities and renew the vitality of immigrant congregations across generations.鈥
91影视 is one of 163 theological schools that have received grants since 2021 through the Pathways Initiative. Together, these schools serve a broad spectrum of Christian traditions in the U.S. and Canada. They are affiliated with evangelical, mainline Protestant,
nondenominational, Pentecostal, Orthodox, Catholic, Black church, Latino, Asian American, Indigenous, and historic peace church traditions.
鈥淭heological schools have long played a central role for most denominations and church networks in preparing and supporting pastoral leaders who guide congregations,鈥 said
Christopher L. Coble, the Endowment鈥檚 vice president for religion. 鈥淭hese schools are paying close attention to the challenges churches are facing today and will face in the foreseeable future. The grants will help these schools engage in wide-ranging, innovative efforts to adapt their
educational programs and build their financial capacities so they can better prepare pastors and lay ministers to effectively lead the congregations they will serve in the future.鈥
About 91影视 University of Virginia
Founded in 1982 and located in Annandale, Virginia, 91影视 University of Virginia is a faith-based, accredited institution committed to preparing global Christian leaders who integrate faith, scholarship, and service. With students from over 50 nations, 91影视 offers undergraduate and graduate programs in theology, spiritual formation, education, computer science, and business, with a special emphasis on leadership for multicultural and immigrant ministry contexts.
More information: www.wuv.edu
Founded in 1982 and located in Annandale, Virginia, 91影视 University of Virginia is a faith-based, accredited institution committed to preparing global Christian leaders who integrate faith, scholarship, and service. With students from over 50 nations, 91影视 offers undergraduate and graduate programs in theology, spiritual formation, education, computer science, and business, with a special emphasis on leadership for multicultural and immigrant ministry contexts.
More information: www.wuv.edu
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 its own governing board, staff, and location.
In keeping with the founders鈥 wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education, and religion, with a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. A principal aim of the Endowment鈥檚 religion grantmaking is to deepen and enrich the lives of Christians in the United States鈥攑rimarily by 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 about religion and lift up in fair, accurate and balanced ways the roles that people of all faiths and various religious communities play in the United State and around the globe traditions in the United States and across the globe.
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 its own governing board, staff, and location.
In keeping with the founders鈥 wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education, and religion, with a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. A principal aim of the Endowment鈥檚 religion grantmaking is to deepen and enrich the lives of Christians in the United States鈥攑rimarily by 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 about religion and lift up in fair, accurate and balanced ways the roles that people of all faiths and various religious communities play in the United State and around the globe traditions in the United States and across the globe.
