Northwest Nazarene University (NNU), in close collaboration with Nazarene Theological Seminary (NTS) and the network of Nazarene universities across the United States, has received a $9,995,846 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support a multi-year, collaborative initiative focused on strengthening and reimagining graduate theological education for the Church of the Nazarene.
Funded through Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative, the grant will resource a comprehensive process of exploration, collaboration, and discernment among Nazarene institutions as they work toward a more sustainable, integrated, and accessible model for theological education.
As part of this grant-funded work, NNU and NTS—both accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS)—will lead a collaborative effort to explore closer alignment between Nazarene Theological Seminary and NNU’s Divinity School, along with strategic partnerships involving graduate theology programs at:
- Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU)
- Olivet Nazarene University (ONU)
- Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU)
- Trevecca Nazarene University (TNU)
Additionally, MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) and Southern Nazarene University (SNU)—institutions that do not currently offer graduate theological programs—will participate in this collaborative process to broaden access, strengthen denominational alignment, and support pathways for ministerial formation.
“This is a moment of profound opportunity for our denomination,” said Jeren Rowell, President of Nazarene Theological Seminary. “NTS has long carried the sacred responsibility of forming pastors and leaders for the Church of the Nazarene. This grant allows us to work collaboratively with NNU and our sister universities to imagine new, sustainable ways of carrying that mission forward—always grounded in our shared theological commitments and denominational identity.”
Through this initiative, participating institutions will explore administrative and programmatic alignment, long-term financial sustainability, and innovative approaches to ministerial formation that remain deeply connected to the life of the local church. “We are extremely honored and grateful to receive this grant,” said Brent Peterson, Dean of the College of Theology and Christian Ministries at NNU and Grant Director. “This funding provides the space and resources for our Nazarene universities and local churches to work together toward a shared vision for theological education—one that is sustainable, collaborative, and responsive to the realities facing pastors and congregations today.”
Innovative Approaches to Ministerial Formation
A key emphasis of the grant-funded work will be exploring models that strengthen the relationship between theological education and the local church, including the potential for contextual learning experiences and intensive residencies developed in partnership with congregations and district leaders.
These efforts aim to:
- Strengthen connections between classroom and congregation
- Equip pastors for ministry in diverse cultural contexts
- Reduce cost barriers for students
- Create sustainable pathways for long-term denominational leadership
About the Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative
Launched in 2021, Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative supports theological schools across the United States and Canada as they respond to pressing challenges and reimagine pastoral formation. To date, the initiative has distributed more than $700 million in grants. The award to Northwest Nazarene University is one of 45 grants approved in the most recent competitive funding round.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private philanthropic foundation established in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. While supported by the legacy of Eli Lilly and Company stock, the Endowment operates independently with its own mission and governance. It invests heavily in community development, education, and religion, with a particular commitment to strengthening Christian congregations and pastoral leadership throughout the United States.