On Collaborating with Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
I Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” -I Corinthians 15:58 – NIV

 

On behalf of the National Black Presbyterian Caucus’ (NBPC) Board of Directors, I am pleased to announce to our membership a collaboration with the Black Church Rural Ministry Initiative at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (LPTS).

The NBPC as a Collaborating Organization, will administer and award microgrants to Black rural congregations, and/or Christian faith nonprofits and ministry organizations that provide equipping and resourcing for sustaining ministry in the Black rural Christian context.

The priorities for the Rural Black Church Ministry Initiative are Evangelism, Church Growth and Development, Preservation of African American Church Heritage and Traditions, and Black Women Leaders in Rural Ministry.

The Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary is one of 20 organizations awarded by the Lilly Endowment Inc. to support efforts nationwide to strengthen Christian congregations in rural areas and small towns.  The Rev. Dr. Perzavia Praylow, Director of Black Church Studies and Assistant Professor of Practical Theology will direct the grant activities.  The NBPC grant will be $50,000 per year for five years; and will be able to issue microgrants ($2,000-$3,000) in all states, with the exceptions of North Carolina and South Carolina.

The Executive Committee of the NBPC invites several Pastors and/or Ruling Elders ministering in the rural context and interested in serving on a sub-committee to administer the grant to communicate their interest to the President, Rev. Charles Heyward, Sr. (ccheyward1@gmail.com), or the Secretary, Ms. Sarah Rucker (ruckersnbpc@gmail.com).

A microgrant application process is being developed and will be communicated to our congregations and other organizations through our website, newsletter, and regions and chapters leadership.

Consistent with our theme for the 48th Biennial Meeting, June 19-21, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina, we will “stand firm,” with our rural congregations, “let nothing move us,” for strengthening our congregations, and “give ourselves fully,” to this collaborative work with LPTS; because we know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Rev. Dr. Charles C. Heyward, Sr.
President, NBPC
02.18.25