FTE Leaders 2020 Annual Report

20/20 Visionary Leadership

FTE 2020 IMPACT REPORT

A message from FTE President Stephen Lewis

VISIONARY LEADERS ARE ...

02
CARING

They care about ways in which a society marginalizes others.

03
OPEN-MINDED

They embrace the tension that comes with doing things differently.

04
FREE

They give themselves the freedom to fail.

05
ENDURING

They have the ability to carry something through to the end.

06
PERCEPTIVE

They can read the signs of the times.

THIS YEAR, MORE THAN EVER

In this moment, in this season, in this year unlike any other, we need visionary leaders to pave the way for a new future.

STRONGER VOICES

A visionary leader is one who dreams and imagines a different future. One who uses their gifts and calling to give shape to a moment in time. One who brings fresh hope to a broken world. One whose focus is on seeing their visions come to life for the sake of the common good.

This year, more than ever, we need these leaders. In the midst of a global pandemic, we need hope and healing. At the height of a political reckoning, we need clarity and kindness. As communities rally against racial injustice, we need better systems and strong voices to carry on.

We connected...

FTE’S IMPACT FOR 2020
114
young adults and 244 church leaders

to explore vocation and purpose in uncertain times.

252
leaders from Christian universities

to strengthen programs for high school youth.

20
organizations in communities of practice

to discover processes for vocational discernment with doctoral students of color and young adults.

40
doctoral students

to network, explore their scholarship with mentors, and build a community of support with one another.

35
doctoral students and FTE Alumni

for a writing and soul check-in during a 14-day writing challenge.

5
DO GOOD X Fellows with Alumni and mentors

to develop a business for social impact.

We inspired...

20
YOUNG ADULTS

by providing spiritual direction to aid in discerning their purpose, passion, and call.

15
GRANT RECIPIENTS

through coaching to build their capacity to empower young adults searching for meaning and purpose.

16
DOCTORAL STUDENTS

who experienced coaching, mentoring, and access to writing and research resources to support their studies.

100
FAITH LEADERS AND YOUNG ADULTS

to embrace practices to live and lead change on purpose on the Another Way book tour.

We provided...

16

doctoral students of color with fellowships.

34

grants to congregations and church-related organizations accompanying young adults in exploring ministry.

23

young adults with grants to explore ministry and develop a mentoring relationship.

4

grants to organizations recruiting young theologians to the academy.

4

institutions with grants to help doctoral students of color thrive.

RESOURCES DESIGNED TO INSPIRE VISIONARY LEADERS

These resources were created to educate and encourage the visionary leaders in our network. From online courses and podcasts to videos and books, this diverse library of resources supports the current work and future visions of ministers, teachers, and community leaders.

Watch

01 | WHAT IS VISIONARY LEADERSHIP?

In this video, five faith leaders—Rev. Jennifer Bailey, Rev. Kelly Chatman, Rev. Zach Kerzee, Rev. Tyler Sit, and Rev. Becca Stevens—share what visionary leadership means in their context.

Watch

02 | Dr. Teresa Delgado

Dr. Delgado defines what visionary leadership means to her and how imagination and creativity helps bring theological expression to life.

Watch

03 | Rev. Jennifer Bailey

An FTE Alumnae who connected with FTE as a student at Vanderbilt Divinity School, Rev. Jennifer Bailey is passionate about having one foot in the church and one foot in the community. Faith Matters Network emerged from her passion, commitment, and vision.

Watch

04 | Rev. Tyler Sit

Rev. Tyler Sit is an FTE Alumnus and pastor who, as a student at Candler School of Theology, was interested in connecting his faith to environmental justice. Rev. Sit’s interest, vision, and vocational journey led him to plant New City Church in Minneapolis.

Watch

05 | Rev. Becca Stevens

Rev. Becca Stevens is an Episcopal priest and social entrepreneur whose vision grew into a social enterprise that offers healing and hope to female survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction.

Watch

06 | Rev. Kelly Chatman

As former pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church of Minneapolis, Rev. Kelly Chatman was faced with a pivotal moment in leadership. His church found itself left with two choices: close its doors or do things differently to meet the needs of the community.

Watch

07 | Rev. Zach Kerzee

Rev. Zach Kerzee is a pastor who started Simple Church Grafton—a church without a building, a collection plate, or a Sunday service. His vision for this church was born out of these visionary leadership questions: “What would it look like to do church in a simple way? What if churches spent less money on their buildings and more time being active in their communities?”

Read

Another Way: Living and Leading Change on Purpose

A book that describes a much-needed new way of leading in the 21st Century that is centered on four key practices.

Read

A Field Guide to Another Way

A field guide that offers the framework and practices to accompany others discerning how to lead lives of meaning and purpose.

Read

Voices of the Mentored: Scholars of Color Speak

A publication that highlights 30 essays of doctoral mentees and FTE mentoring practices.

Read

Voices for Vocational Accompaniment: Leading, Mentoring, and Learning from the Next Generation

A resource for church and faith leaders that provides mentoring stories and practices for accompanying young adults.

Listen

Resilience in the Midst of a Pandemic
Bishop Yvette Flunder
Leading in the Midst of a Pandemic
Rev. Gail Song Bantum
Discern Another Way
FTE President Stephen Lewis and FTE Senior Fellow Dori Baker

Discerning the Call to Live
FTE Senior Director of Learning Design Patrick B. Reyes
Another Way Podcast Four-Part Series
FTE President Stephen Lewis, Former FTE Vice President Matthew Wesley Williams, and FTE Senior Fellow Dori Baker, featuring:
  • Rev. Dr. Neichelle Guidry
  • Parker Palmer
  • Adam Taylor
  • Bayo Akomolafe
DISCERN: Rekindling Hope: Cultivating the Hunger and Thirst of Call - Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Conde-Frazier
Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Conde-Frazier

DISCERN: Cultivating Call in the Midst of Changing Landscapes
Panel Discussion

OUR ONLINE PROGRAMS

Discovering and Discerning Vocation

An online course to help young adults discern the next most faithful step in their call.

Doctoral Theological Education and Beyond

An online course to help doctoral students explore theological education and who they are called to be within and beyond the academy.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

2020 Statement of Financial Activities (Unaudited)

REVENUE

FTE is primarily funded through foundational grants, investment income from those grants, and contributions from the FTE community.


EXPENSES

In our congregations, in our communities, in our world—we need leaders. Leaders who are willing to step up and speak out. Leaders who are determined to create change. Leaders who have the vision for a better world for all of us.

DONORS

Your gifts make educating, equipping, and supporting the hundreds of visionary leaders in our network possible. Your commitment to them is a commitment to the vision of all the pastors, healers, teachers, and students working to create lasting change in our world.

DONORS
Presidential Partners
$10,000+
  • Lilly Endowment, Inc.,
  • Indianapolis, IN
Leadership Partners
$1,000 - $4,999
  • Ms. and Mr. Florida and Doug Ellis
  • In honor of Rev. Stephen Lewis
  • Dr. Marsha Foster Boyd
  • Rev. Stephen Lewis
  • Dr. Shanell Smith
  • Rev. Dr. Shively Smith
  • Drs. LaToya and Starsky D. Wilson
  • Rev. Dr. Frank M. Yamada
Sustainers
$500 - $999
  • Mr. Paul Bois
  • Dr. Kathleen A. Cahalan and Mr. Donald Ottenhoff
  • Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Conde-Frazier
  • Ms. Antoinette and Rev. Dr. Gregory Ellison II
  • In honor of Mr. Gregory C. Ellison Sr.
  • Rev. Darlene Marie Hutto
  • Ms. Soon Mee Kim
  • In honor of Rev. Young Sook Kim
  • Ms. Jodi L. Porter
  • Dr. Patrick B. Reyes
  • Rev. Dr. Kimberly D. Russaw
  • Dr. Marvin E. Wickware Jr.
Sponsors
$100 - $499
  • Ms. Allison Arsenault
  • Ms. Elsie Barnhart
  • Revs. Jon and Amanda Bergstrom
  • Mr. Edward Boone
  • In honor of Rev. Dr. Julie Boone
  • Rev. Adam Bond
  • In honor of Dr. Sharon Watson Fluker
  • Dr. Lisa Bowens
  • Dr. Caroline Charles-May
  • Rev. Dr. Monica A. Coleman
  • Ms. Kimberly R. Daniel
  • Rev. Joe Ella Darby
  • Ms. Christy Goade
  • Ms. Diva Morgan Hicks
  • Rev. Dr. John Hoffmeyer and Rev. Dr. Janet M. Corpus
  • Rev. Jennifer Ikoma-Motzko
  • Rev. Jeffrey Leath
  • Rev. Dr. Ross Lockhart
  • Rev. Dr. Carol E. Lytch
  • Mr. Calvin M. Mew
  • Ms. Renee Monkman
  • In honor of Ms. Renée Kwan Monkman
  • Mr. Stephen R. and Ms. Juanita E. Moore
  • Dr. Debra Mumford
  • Rev. Randy and Joy Nelson
  • Rev. Brent A. Newberry
  • In honor of Rev. Dr. George A. Mason
  • Rev. Ray Ranker
  • Dr. Stephen G. Ray Jr.
  • Ms. Christina Repoley
  • Rev. Dr. Marcia Y. Riggs
  • Ms. Melissa Scott
  • Rev. Dr. Emilie M. Townes
  • In memory of Dr. Helen V. McLean
  • Ms. Marlene Underwood
  • Rev. Dr. Heather Hartung Vacek
  • Dr. John W. Waters
  • Drs. Walter and Sharon Watson Fluker
  • Ms. Traci Wright
Supporters
>$100
  • Rev. Andrew T. Barnhill
  • Dr. Charles W. and Mary Ann Brockwell
  • Rev. Kamilah Hall Sharp
  • Ms. Nikki Hoskins
  • Rev. Leslie Houseworth-Fields
  • Ms. Kwanza Johnson
  • Ms. Linda Kay Klein
  • Rev. Megan LeCluyse
  • Rev. C. Wallace Marsh IV
  • Revs. Laurel and Colin Mathewson
  • Rev. Kathryn L. Pocalyko
  • Mr. Joseph Reaves
  • In memory of Ms. Loretta Hall
  • Ms. Heather B.P. Wallace

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BOARD
  • Rev. Dr. Gregory C. Ellison, II, Trustee
    Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling
    Candler School of Theology
    Emory University
    Atlanta, GA
  • Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Conde-Frazier, Chair
    Coordinator of Relationships of Theological Entities
    AETH
    Rockford, MI
  • Ms. Soon Mee Kim, Trustee
    Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer
    Omnicom Public Relations Group
    Atlanta, GA
  • Ms. Linda Kay Klein, Trustee
    Storyteller & Social Innovator
    Founder, Break Free Together
    New York, NY
  • Rev. Dr. Ross A. Lockhart, Secretary/Treasurer
    Dean, St. Andrew’s Hall at The University of British Columbia
    Professor of Mission Studies, The Vancouver School of Theology
    Founding Director, The Centre for Missional Leadership
    Vancouver, BC
  • Rev. Dr. Shively T. J. Smith, Trustee
    Assistant Professor of New Testament
    Boston University School of Theology
    Boston, MA
  • Mr. J. Larry Stine, Trustee
    Attorney/Partner
    Wimberly, Lawson, Steckel, Schneider, & Stine, P.C.
    Atlanta, GA
  • Rev. Dr. Starsky D. Wilson, Vice Chair
    President & CEO
    Deaconess Foundation
    St. Louis, MO
  • Dr. Frank Yamada, Trustee
    Executive Director
    The Association of Theological Schools
    Pittsburgh, PA

Download a PDF of this report

Click here to Download