Grant will support Draw the Circle Wide theological education program
October 2025 – Drew University has been awarded a $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative.
The grant will support the Draw the Circle Wide: Contextual, Intercultural, and Holistic Theological Education program, helping expand the impact of Drew Theological School, current students, alumni, and partners in ministry. The program, which draws its name from the oft-used anthem of the Theological School, aims to equip pastoral leaders through innovative, relational, and justice-centered education, the practice of ministry, and non-profit work that addresses social and humanitarian issues.
Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative is intended to help theological schools across the United States and Canada strengthen their educational and financial capacities to prepare and support pastoral leaders for Christian congregations both now and in the future.
“Drew University is honored to receive this grant from Lilly Endowment,” said Drew President Hilary L. Link, PhD. “We are excited to see the inspiring, innovative work that will be achieved and put out into the world through Draw the Circle Wide as a result.”
“Thanks to Lilly Endowment’s generous grant, we are thrilled to launch the Draw the Circle Wide program,” said The Rev. Dr. Edwin David Aponte, Dean of Drew Theological School. “We are excited to share the expertise and experience of the excellent Drew faculty as we partner with ministry practitioners and theological leaders for holistic ministry, courageous action, and advancement of justice and peace.”
Through intentional collaboration with ecclesial colleagues, Drew’s deep contextual education, and its networks of faculty, administrators, pastors, denominational leaders, alums, current students, pastors, and lay ministers in the Draw the Circle Wide program will be able to flourish and help the congregations they serve do the same.
The program will develop practices and resources in three critical areas to foster growth and community for ministry leaders: intercultural pastoral leadership formation, innovative digital teaching and learning for long-life education, and peer mentorship and pastoral wellness networks.
“Theological schools have long played a central role for most denominations and church networks in preparing and supporting pastoral leaders who guide congregations,” said The Rev. Dr. Christopher L. Coble, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for religion. “These schools are paying close attention to the challenges churches are facing today and will face in the foreseeable future. The grants will help these schools engage in wide-ranging, innovative efforts to adapt their educational programs and build their financial capacities so they can better prepare pastors and lay ministers to effectively lead the congregations they will serve in the future.”
Thanks to funding from Lilly Endowment and building on Drew University’s roots as a United Methodist seminary, the interdisciplinary Draw the Circle Wide program will further Drew’s mission of “adding to the world’s good” through transformative work which develops discerning Drew graduates who engage global challenges and contribute meaningfully to local communities and society at large.
