Contact: Kerry Traubert

(404) 727-1170

Luce Foundation Awards $250,000 to FTE

for Ministry Fellowships and Programs

Renewed support will enable The Fund for Theological Education

to recruit highly qualified candidates to Christian ministry

ATLANTA, August 6, 2007 – The Henry Luce Foundation has awarded a

$250,000 one-year grant to The Fund for Theological Education (FTE) to support
fellowship programs that identify and encourage gifted candidates under the age of 35
to consider pastoral ministry as a vocation.
“Excellent leadership in ministry matters—to congregations, campuses and
communities, and to the fabric of civic life,” said Michael Gilligan, president of the Luce
Foundation. “This grant continues our investment in young men and women from
diverse backgrounds who are the next generation of leaders for the church. FTE has
demonstrated the experience to advocate for the entry of talented young adults into
ministerial professions, with a clear commitment to excellence and diversity.”
The Luce Foundation grant will specifically support fellowships for undergraduate
and seminary students who are exploring or preparing for ministry, as well as FTE
recruitment efforts among students from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups.
FTE Undergraduate Fellows are college juniors or seniors nominated by faculty,
administrators, campus ministers or parish pastors. They attend FTE’s annual
Excellence in Ministry Conference and receive a $2,000 award for educational
expenses or an experience related to the exploration of ministry.
FTE Ministry Fellows are second-year Master of Divinity students nominated by
their seminary deans or presidents. They attend the FTE conference and receive
$10,000 for educational expenses and to fund a self-designed project to enrich their
formation as ministerial leaders.
- more -
 FTE – Page 2

“While ministry may be an uncommon calling among today’s youth, scores of

bright and faithful students see it as a rewarding, viable path to serve the church and
the world,” said Melissa Wiginton, FTE vice president for Ministry Programs and
Planning. “We are thankful to the Henry Luce Foundation for its vision, which makes it
possible for FTE to help young leaders explore and answer their calling.”
Concerns about the pipeline of talented clergy have increased as large numbers
of “baby boomer” pastors prepare to retire and local congregations seek qualified young
ministerial candidates. A 2006 study by the Lewis Center for Leadership at Wesley
Theological Seminary shows a significant 20-year decline in clergy under age 35 across
denominations, both Protestant and Catholic.
The Fund for Theological Education (FTE) is a leading ecumenical advocate for
excellence and diversity in Christian ministry and theological scholarship. Its work
supports the next generation of leaders among pastors and scholars, providing more
than $1.2 million annually in fellowships and other support to gifted young people from
all denominations and racial/ethnic backgrounds. Since 1954, FTE has awarded nearly
6,000 fellowships in partnership with others committed to creating a pipeline of quality
leadership for the church and the academy. The Fund is also a resource for
educational and faith communities, offering programs that encourage highly capable
candidates to explore vocations in ministry and teaching.
For more information about FTE visit www.thefund.org.

###