Pepperdine awarded $7.5 million grant to support rural ministry
MALIBU, CALIF. — Pepperdine University has received a $7.5 million grant through the Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Ministry in Rural Areas and Small Towns Initiative. The funds will support Pepperdine’s “Empower and Equip” program, which aims to strengthen the ministries and leadership of Churches of Christ in rural areas and small towns across the United States.
Mike Cope
“We are honored to receive support from Lilly Endowment Inc. as it invests in the future of Churches of Christ in rural areas and small towns,” said Mike Cope, Pepperdine’s director of ministry outreach, who will direct the grant initiative. “We believe our work will help reignite a passion for ministry and bring renewed energy to these vital congregations.”
John Barton, professor of religion and director of Pepperdine’s Center for Faith and Learning, will serve as the assistant director of “Empower and Equip.”
On a national level, Pepperdine will work with the Siburt Institute for Church Ministry at Abilene Christian University in Texas to conduct and gather fresh research and data, train leaders and build a publicly accessible library featuring sermons, educational classes and community engagement guidance.
In addition, Pepperdine will collaborate with two church-planting organizations and provide an estimated $75,000 over five years to The Christian Chronicle to help fund additional reporting on rural ministries. The Chronicle will remain solely responsible for its content, Editor-in-Chief Bobby Ross Jr. said.
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