Heritage Theological Seminary Awarded Pathways for Tomorrow Grant
We are praising the Lord and thrilled to announce that Heritage Theological Seminary has been selected as a recipient of the Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative, receiving a generous grant of $952,669 USD from Lilly Endowment Inc. This funding marks a significant milestone in our ongoing mission to prepare and support pastoral leaders for Christian congregations across Canada.
The Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative is designed to help theological schools in the U.S. and Canada strengthen their educational and financial capacities to meet the evolving needs of churches. Heritage is honored to be among the 163 institutions selected since 2021 to participate in this transformative effort.
Investing in the Future of Ministry
This grant will enable Heritage to:
- Revitalize and expand our Integrated Practicum program, appointing a dedicated staff member to lead this initiative and ensure students receive enriched, hands-on ministry training.
- Optimize campus facilities through the employment of a professional focused on space utilization and resource stewardship, helping alleviate financial pressures on students and support enrollment growth.
- Enhance our digital presence, including website improvements and a refreshed brand identity.
- Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of our mission and operational systems to better communicate our impact and grow our donor base.
These efforts were outcomes of our strategic visioning process, HeritageNEXT, which engaged stakeholders across our community to identify key areas for growth. The Integrated Practicum Project, will be a collaborative model combining theological education with real-time, in-church experience. This initiative aims to triple the number of graduates entering pastoral ministry and position Heritage as a national leader in addressing Canada’s pastoral leadership crisis.
Prayer Request
As part of the grant process, we are required to provide an official tax determination letter from the IRS confirming Heritage’s status as a recognized charitable organization. We initiated this request in June and, unfortunately, have not yet received the documentation. We would appreciate your prayers that the necessary doors will open for us to obtain this letter promptly, allowing us to access the grant funds and begin this important work.
Learn More
For more details about the initiative, Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative and Lilly Endowment Inc., please refer to the official press release.
We are deeply grateful for this opportunity and excited about the impact it will have on our students, our institution, and the broader church community.