ORU Receives $1 Million Lilly Endowment Grant to Support Institute for Spirit-Empowered Ministry Resilience
Tulsa, Oklahoma, October 20th, 2025—Oral Roberts University (ORU) has received a $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment
Inc. to support the creation of the Institute for Spirit-Empowered Ministry Resilience—a
Pathways for Tomorrow 2025 Individual School Grant program. The grant's main objective
is to strengthen and sustain pastoral and lay leaders by providing mentorship, mental
health resources, continuing education, and expanded access to theological training.
This grant positions the College of Theology and Ministry for greater innovation,
growth, and influence. It ultimately aims to reduce ministry burnout and foster resilience,
ensuring long-term effectiveness and transformation in Spirit-empowered ministry.
Additionally, the program will create multiple opportunities for exposure to certificates,
micro-credentials, and degree programs.
"The Pathways for Tomorrow initiative,” said Dr. Kathaleen Reid-Martinez, “will strengthen
ORU’s efforts to prepare and sustain Spirit-empowered ministers and pastoral leaders
by providing innovative resources and practical strategies for long-term ministry
health and effectiveness. The grant enables the University to expand its research,
curriculum, and training programs, focusing on the spiritual, emotional, and relational
resilience of ministers serving diverse congregations worldwide.”
“We are excited about the opportunities this grant makes possible,” said Dr. Bill
Buker, Associate Dean and Senior Professor of Counseling, “in enabling us to increase
our support of local church pastors, many of whom feel depleted by the relentless
challenges of ministry. Our intent is to provide a wide range of services designed
to encourage and enhance their efforts toward bringing hope and help to those in need.”
“This grant propels the College of Theology and Ministry into a new season of impact and expansion,” said Dr. Adrian Hinkle, Dean of the College of Theology and Ministry, “positioning us for greater innovation, growth, and influence across all of our programs. We are looking forward to what this grant means for our college and the opportunities it creates for our students, the Church, and the communities we serve.”
“Theological schools have long played a central role for most denominations and church
networks in preparing and supporting pastoral leaders who guide congregations,” said
Christopher L. Coble, Lilly Endowment’s Vice President for Religion. “These schools
are paying close attention to the challenges churches are facing today and will face
in the foreseeable future. The grants will help these schools engage in wide-ranging,
innovative efforts to adapt their educational programs and build their financial capacities
so they can better prepare pastors and lay ministers to effectively lead the congregations
they will serve in the future.”
To learn more about ORU’s College of Theology and Ministry, please visit the College’s webpage.
Nationally Ranked, Globally Recognized
ORU is a Christian, Spirit-empowered, interdenominational university in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with 17 years of consecutive enrollment growth. Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ORU offers over 150 majors, minors, concentrations, and pre-professional programs at the bachelor’s level, ranging from business and engineering to nursing, ministry, and more. Under the leadership of President Dr. William Wilson, ORU is preparing students from all 50 states and 174 nations in the last 6 years to be whole leaders for the whole world.
