Roberts Wesleyan University Receives Another Grant From Lilly Endowment Inc. For Northeastern Seminary Efforts–This Time For $10 Million
Rochester, N.Y. – Roberts Wesleyan University has received a $10 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative 2025. This money will support Northeastern Seminary in establishing the Free Methodist Theological Connection, a collaborative network of Free Methodist Church conferences and educational institutions, which will be called the “Free Methodist Theological Connection.”
Roberts Wesleyan and Northeastern Seminary is one of 45 institutions that was approved in this latest competitive round of funding to support theological schools as they lead large-scale collaborations with other seminaries, colleges and Universities, and other church-related organizations.
The Free Methodist Theological Connection’s main objective will be to expand the collaborators' capacities to offer ministry-focused education for preparing pastoral leaders and position them for a more sustainable future of Church leadership.
“Across the Free Methodist Church, as well as among our collaborating organizations, the need is clear. Pastoral leaders in our conferences require greater access to high-quality, affordable theological education and training. At the same time, our partner schools need support to expand their capacity to deliver this education at a moment when higher education is facing significant challenges. With support from the Lilly Endowment Inc., we can pool our strengths, share resources, and build a sustainable network that will provide accessible, robust training for pastoral leaders now and into the future,” said Academic Dean of Northeastern Seminary Dr. Josef Sykora.
The Connection will include most of the institutions in a partnership of Free Methodist Church schools known as the Association of Free Methodist Educational Institutions (AFMEI). Collaborating AFMEI schools include Northeastern Seminary, Roberts Wesleyan University, Central Christian College of Kansas, Greenville University, and Spring Arbor University. The Connection also includes the Center for Pastoral Formation (CPF), the FMC’s institute for credentialing and ordination and four FMC conferences: the Genesis Conference, the North Central Conference, the Ohio Conference, and the Network of Undeniable Blessing and eventually for the benefit of all Free Methodist Conferences
The grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. for the Free Methodist Theological Connection will go to:
● Renovating educational pathways by developing and expanding accessible, multi-linguistic pathways to provide training for pastoral leaders. This initiative's key activities include assessing current certificate offerings across all collaborators, aligning educational standards, creating a shared platform to deliver credentials, and adding course offerings in Spanish and Swahili.
● Expanding online education by establishing a consortium of Association of Free Methodist Educational Institutions schools to align academic programs, share credits and resources, and use technological tools like VR to transform online learning experiences.
● Deepening formational experiences by offering experiential education opportunities, establishing a mentoring program, and providing spiritual formation resources.
● Providing funding for accessibility by establishing a shared endowment to underwrite The Connection’s operating budget. Collaborators will raise the endowment funds in the first stages of the grant project. Housed in Free Methodist Financial—the Free Methodist Church’s financial services provider—the endowment will fund key personnel for The Connection, ensuring The Connection’s long-term sustainability.
“Theological schools play a vital role in preparing and supporting pastoral leaders for Christian congregations,” said Christopher L. Coble, the Endowment’s vice president for religion. “We believe that one of the most promising paths for theological schools to carry forward their important missions and enhance their impact is to work collaboratively with other schools, as well as congregations and other church-related organizations. By doing so they can strengthen their collective capacities to prepare and support pastoral leaders for effective congregational service.”
In 2025, Lilly Endowment Inc. has gifted Roberts Wesleyan and Northeastern Seminary $11,100,00 that will fully support new projects, initiatives, and partnerships, including the Free Methodist Theological Connection.
For more information on Roberts Wesleyan University and Northeastern Seminary, visit here. For more information about Lilly Endowment, visit here.
About Roberts Wesleyan University
Roberts Wesleyan University is New York’s leading university for character education. Committed to the development of the whole person, the institution is focused on student growth through Christ-centered education, transformational learning and service to others. With more than 1750, students and a tradition of excellence since 1866, the university strives to inspire students to transform themselves and the world, and offers over 100 undergraduate, graduate, professional, adult-degree completion and seminary programs taught by high-quality, supportive faculty. Roberts Wesleyan University also has two doctoral programs in clinical/school psychology and occupational therapy. RedHawks Athletics intercollegiate sports teams compete as members of NCAA Division II. For more information, visit roberts.edu/about.
About Northeastern Seminary
Northeastern Seminary is a private Wesleyan seminary located on the campus of Roberts Wesleyan University in Rochester, New York. Rooted in biblical and historic Christian faith, its mission is to prepare Christ-centered women and men for faithful and effective service to the church and the world. With over thirty denominations and faith groups represented, Northeastern Seminary fosters a vibrant, ecumenical learning community dedicated to deep theological understanding, spiritual formation, and service. For more information, visit nes.edu.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.