Alma College recieves religious studies grant

NAYONIKAA SINGHAAL
STAFF WRITER

11/20/2023

The Synod of Covenant, a group of Presbyterian churches in Michigan and Ohio, in partnership with Alma College recently received a grant for about $100 million, from the Lilly Endowment Foundation to provide education for theology to the Presbyterian ministers. 

Synod of Covenant is the same organization that founded Alma College in 1886. This collaborative initiative marks a pivotal moment in our commitment to foster diverse theological training.  

“It is a wonderful thing that [after] more than 150 years… the college that was founded and the Synod that I work for continue to have this firm partnership even now, and I am truly grateful for it,” said Rev. Dr. Charles Hardwick, Executive for the Synod of the Convent, Presbyterian Church. 

This collaboration is a result of the collective effort of both Hardwick and our President, Jeff Abernathy, who wish to provide a space for aspiring Presbyterian ministers to receive a well-rounded education while ensuring they are prepared to address the spiritual and social challenges of our time.  

This grant not only bolsters the college’s commitment to religious studies but also strengthens ties with broader studies. “One of the biggest challenges that the churches in Ohio and Michigan have… is that many of them are quite small and are unable to afford a minister with proper theological training,” said Hardwick.  

The aim of the grant is to train about 140 preachers who have not gone to Seminary over the course of five years.

The grant also aims to help the churches who are unable to afford the ministers full-time. It is estimated that there will be about four cycles of training that will include about 35 participants each.

Hardwick expressed his appreciation and gratitude by sharing the capabilities of many leaders who are a part of the Synod but never got the opportunity to receive the proper training to be preachers. This grant would amount to a substantial tutelage to these leaders who will finally have the opportunity to receive the education that can help them reach their full potential. 

This opportunity can also help the students at Alma who wish to pursue religious studies to integrate and foster college academics into a comprehensive study of pastoral care. “There are students at Alma who might be interested in learning theology, and they will be eligible to do that,” said Hardwick. 

The students of Alma will also have the opportunity to take part in the annual conferences held by the Synod each June even if they are not part of the training process. This is to not just show support but also to learn about the prospective opportunities that they might have in the field.  

This grant is a transformative moment for Alma College. This initiative enhances the ability to train future Presbyterian ministers and strengthen the bonds between academia and religious institutions, ultimately contributing to the religious enrichment of our community’s spiritual fabric.