WS Chronicle

Hood Theological Seminary has received a grant of $1.5 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Ministry in Rural Areas and Small Towns Initiative. The grant will support the Institute for Ministry in Rural Areas and Small Towns at Hood Theological Seminary (HTS). The aim of the initiative is to provide resources to help churches in rural areas and small towns enhance the vitality of their ministries and strengthen the leadership of the pastors and lay leaders who guide them. 

The Institute for Ministry in Rural Areas and Small Towns at HTS is designed to help rural and small-town churches in North Carolina as they prioritize and respond to very pressing challenges that Christian congregations and ministries are facing now and will continue to face in the future.

Rev. Damita Wilder, program director, and her program coordinator will lead the four-point grant initiatives:

1. Continuing Education Program and Workshops for Rural and Small-Town Churches  

     2. Rural and Small-Town Academic Programs

3. Rural and Small-Town Funding Center
4. Rural and Small-Town Information and Referral Center

Dr. Vergel Lattimore, President of Hood Theological Seminary stated that he is grateful to the Lilly Endowment for entrusting Hood to be a part of a focused effort to support the many rural and small-town churches and ministries in North Carolina. “Hood has a strong history of supporting churches and rural communities and looks forward to impacting these communities in a most positive manner.”

Hood Theological Seminary is one of 20 organizations from across the United States receiving grants through the initiative, including colleges and universities, denominational agencies, church networks, and parachurch organizations, among others. 

“Our hope is that these grants will provide much needed resources and support to rural and small-town churches to help them address their challenges and enhance and extend the many ways that they serve their communities,” said Christopher L. Coble, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for religion.

Hood Theological Seminary is a graduate and professional theological school in Salisbury, North Carolina, dedicated to the education and preparation of women and men for bold and creative leadership in the Christian church and for a diverse world.