LeTourneau University Receives $592,299 Grant for High School Theology Institute

LeTourneau University's President, Dr. Dale A. Lunsford, has announced the receipt of a $592,299 grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. to establish Passage, a unique year-long experience for high school students to explore their faith and calling. The program is part of Lilly Endowment's High School Youth Theology Institutes initiative, which aims to encourage young people to examine the moral dimensions of contemporary issues and live lives of service. Passage will provide students with a transformative experience, studying with LeTourneau's faculty, engaging in community service, and being mentored by volunteers from their home churches.

Key Takeaways:

• LeTourneau University has received a $592,299 grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. to establish Passage, a high school theology institute.
• Passage is part of Lilly Endowment's High School Youth Theology Institutes initiative, which aims to encourage young people to explore theological traditions and live lives of service.
• The program will provide students with a week-long stay on LeTourneau University's Longview campus, studying with faculty, engaging in community service, and being mentored by volunteers.
• The grant will fund the majority of the costs for Passage in the summers of 2017-2020, with applications and nominations opening in the summer of 2016.
• LeTourneau University is one of 82 schools participating in the initiative, located in 29 states and the District of Columbia.
• The schools reflect a range of religious traditions, including Baptist, Brethren, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Reformed churches.
• The grant is part of Lilly Endowment's $44.5 million commitment to create high school youth theology institutes around the nation.
• The institutes aim to identify and cultivate a cadre of theologically minded youth who will become leaders in the church and society.

Statistics:

• LeTourneau University's grant is $592,299.
• Lilly Endowment's High School Youth Theology Institutes initiative will involve 82 schools in 29 states and the District of Columbia.
• The schools will be supported with a total of $44.5 million in grants from Lilly Endowment.
• Passage will run in the summers of 2017-2020, with applications and nominations opening in the summer of 2016.
• The program will offer high school students a unique experience, staying with LeTourneau University's faculty, staff, and students for a week, engaging in community service, and being mentored by volunteers.

Sources:

• LeTourneau University
• Lilly Endowment, Inc.