Abilene Christian University’s Siburt Institute for Church Ministry will receive $2.1 million as part of a collaboration with Pepperdine University’s Empower and Equip program, designed to strengthen the ministries and leadership of Churches of Christ in rural areas and small towns.

Lilly Endowment Inc. granted Pepperdine $7.5 million for the Empower and Equip initiative, which aims to enhance the vitality of rural ministries by providing encouragement, updated data, leadership training, opportunities for collaboration and resources to expand ecclesial imaginations. Pepperdine is collaborating with ministry leaders and organizations, including ACU’s Siburt Institute, through sub-granting and partnerships.

“The national scope of the Siburt Institute positions us well to serve the aims of this initiative,” said Carson Reed, vice president for church relations at ACU and executive director for the Siburt Institute. “We are excited about partnering with Pepperdine and with an array of other institutions and colleges to resource rural and small town congregations.”

 The Siburt Institute’s role in the project involves conducting and gathering fresh research and data, training leaders, and building a publicly accessible library featuring sermons, educational classes and community engagement guidance. 

Other aspects of Pepperdine’s initiative include:

• Ten regional hub partnerships to provide targeted training and encouragement for for equipping ministers and lay leaders within their communities
• An annual conference bringing together leaders from project partners nationwide to share updates, identify community needs and provide a platform for strategic planning to address future challenges facing rural ministries.
• A research component led by Pepperdine’s research team to investigate the causes of declining church attendance and religious sentiment, not only within Churches of Christ, but across various denominations. 

Pepperdine University is one of 20 organizations from across the United States receiving grants through the Lilly Endowment’s Ministry in Rural Areas and Small Towns Initiative.

“We are honored to receive support from  Lilly Endowment Inc. as it invests in the future of Churches of Christ in rural areas and small towns,” said Mike Cope, director of ministry outreach at Pepperdine University, who will be the director of the initiative. “We believe our work will help reignite a passion for ministry and bring renewed energy to these vital congregations, and we’re eager to work in collaboration with the Siburt Institute in both national and regional efforts to accomplish the goals.”

Learn more about ACU’s Siburt Institute.