Wesley Seminary awarded grant money for Latino and Latina ministries
Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) is excited to announce that it has received a $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support Wesley Seminary’s efforts to resource and empower Latina/o ministries for contextual missional engagement.
The program is funded through Lilly Endowment’s Thriving Congregations Initiative, a national initiative that seeks to strengthen Christian congregations so they can help people deepen their relationships with God, build strong relationships with each other, and contribute to the flourishing of local communities and the world.
The proposal for this competitive grant was written by project director and Executive Vice President of Wesley Seminary, Yamil Acevedo, with Arlynn Ellis and Eloy Nolivos leading the daily efforts of the work outlined in the grant proposal. Acevedo expressed, "We are thrilled to embark on this transformative journey, bolstered by the Lilly Endowment’s support. This grant will propel our efforts to foster innovative, contextually engaged ministries that resonate deeply within Latino/a communities, paving the way for dynamic and sustainable growth and significant missional engagement."
The grant furthers the work of Wesley Seminary which offers several programs in Spanish and raises up Latino/a leaders. The accessible online program creates a pathway for Spanish speaking ministry leaders and missionaries to higher education in their heart language. The grant money is an extension of opportunity for congregations and ministry leaders as they grow a deeper and more impactful ministry.
Acevedo adds, "This initiative enables us to extend our reach and deepen our impact among Latino/a congregations, providing them with crucial resources and scholarly guidance tailored to their unique cultural contexts. Through this support, we aim to cultivate thriving congregations that are well-equipped to meet their diverse communities' challenges and opportunities missionally."
