$1M grant awarded to Evangel

Evangel University has received its third grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. this calendar year.

The Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation this time donated $1 million to the Springfield school, according to a news release. That brings Lilly Endowment's recent grant support of Evangel up to $7 million.

The latest grant, announced yesterday, is earmarked for Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, the embedded seminary of the university, to train and resource ministers within the AG denomination.

“With this latest grant from Lilly Endowment, Evangel and AGTS will be able to build a community for current and aspiring pastors to grow in their preaching ministries," Evangel President Mike Rakes said in the release. "This will enable ministers of all backgrounds, with the proper empowerment, training, and support, to lead congregations that make a difference for good and for God.”

AGTS is slated to work with the AG's national office to offer resources, support and nontraditional education to ministry leaders.

The grant will be facilitated through the Cordas C. Burnett Center for Biblical Preaching at AGTS, according to the release, and center Director Robert Eby will lead the grant project.

“More than half of my entire life has been spent jointly bearing the burden and sharing in the privilege of preaching to a local congregation on a weekly basis," Eby said in the release. "From this perspective, I am well acquainted with the need for ongoing training and useful resources for ministers."