Roberts Wesleyan University Receives $10 Million Lilly Endowment Grant to Support Free Methodist Theological Connection

Roberts Wesleyan University has been awarded a $10 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative 2025. This funding supports the Northeastern Seminary in establishing the Free Methodist Theological Connection, a collaborative network involving Free Methodist Church conferences and educational institutions. The initiative aims to enhance theological education and training for pastoral leaders.

This grant places Roberts Wesleyan University among 45 institutions approved for funding under the latest round of the Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative. The initiative supports theological schools in forming large-scale collaborations with other seminaries, colleges, universities, and church-related organizations.

The Free Methodist Theological Connection seeks to expand the capacity of its collaborators to provide ministry-focused education for pastoral leaders. This effort is intended to ensure a sustainable future for Church leadership amid challenges in higher education. Dr. Josef Sykora, Academic Dean of Northeastern Seminary, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, noting the shared need for accessible, high-quality theological education.

The Free Methodist Theological Connection includes most institutions from the Association of Free Methodist Educational Institutions (AFMEI). Participating schools are Northeastern Seminary, Roberts Wesleyan University, Central Christian College of Kansas, Greenville University, and Spring Arbor University. The Connection also involves the Center for Pastoral Formation (CPF), the Free Methodist Church’s institute for credentialing and ordination, and four Free Methodist conferences: the Genesis Conference, the North Central Conference, the Ohio Conference, and the Network of Undeniable Blessing.

The grant will fund efforts to renovate educational pathways by developing and expanding accessible, multi-linguistic training programs for pastoral leaders. These initiatives aim to address the growing demand for theological education while adapting to the evolving landscape of higher education. The collaboration underscores a commitment to strengthening Church leadership through shared resources and sustainable educational models.

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