Introduction
In 2024, FTE proudly celebrated its 70th anniversary, a milestone that honors seven decades of nurturing and empowering young leaders called to ministry and theological scholarship. This legacy, rooted in faith and purpose, has supported more than 7,500 alumni who continue to serve as Christian leaders, pastors, religious scholars, and theological educators across the globe.
As we find ourselves at a pivotal moment in history, navigating profound transitions amidst social, political, and economic challenges, the world feels broken and divided, yearning for a sense of restored hope and renewed direction. Yet, even in the face of growing uncertainty, I'm continually reminded of the steadfast mission that has defined FTE for decades — to cultivate courageous, compassionate, diverse, and faithful leaders who navigate the challenges of today and shape a more hopeful future for generations to come.
70 years later, FTE remains committed to empowering young adults, doctoral students, ministry partners, and social entrepreneurs who are not only responding to challenges, but charting a bold and faithful path forward in spite of them.
Their innovative leadership and dedication to ministry and scholarship provides a promising glimpse of what's to come and an inspiring picture of how the church will flourish in the years ahead.
Inspiring what's next means reimagining what's possible when the next generation of dedicated leaders embrace God's calling in their lives. Now, more than ever, I am deeply encouraged by how they are reimagining ministry, transforming theological education, and innovatively leading with conviction in their local communities. I believe their work is just getting started and provides me and the entire FTE staff with a deep sense of hope that their gifts are more than enough to inspire a bold path forward.
I invite you to join FTE and partner in our mission to empower, equip, and encourage the next generation of leaders who are shaping the church, academy, and faith communities around the world. Together, we can inspire what's next and create a brighter, more hopeful future.
Stephen Lewis
FTE President
In 2024, FTE embraced the theme Inspire What's Next, asking what it means to equip emerging leaders and students to navigate profound uncertainty with faith and hope. For 70 years, we have nurtured courageous, compassionate leaders called to serve God's church and academy. This year, we celebrated and dared to inspire what's next for scholars and ministry partners who are already shaping the church and ministries they serve. Through cultivating creativity, resilience, and vision, FTE empowered the next generation to build a brighter, more faithful future for their local communities and beyond.
joined peers to explore their purpose during discernment retreats.
explored pastoral ministry as a vocational pathway and were guided to discover their purpose and potential in ministry for a church or congregation.
joined a community of advanced under-resourced and underrepresented scholars for support and mentorship in completing their programs.
participated in a retreat focused on scholarly writing and publishing.
2023 & 2024
Doctoral Fellow
learned about FTE facilitation practices and their efficacy in helping diverse young people explore their purpose and to Co-CREATE a better future.
collaborated with peers in congregational and college settings to learn how to support young adults in their discernment journeys.
gathered to discuss opportunities they have created at their universities to help high school students think theologically about their lives and vocational aspirations.
under-resourced and underrepresented faculty explored executive leadership in the academic world through an online course.
congregational and college leaders received financial support to develop programs encouraging young adults to explore their calling.
institutions and leaders were awarded grants to guide youth and young adults in the vocational exploration of purpose and God's calling in their lives.
young adults received grants to explore faith communities and establish mentor relationships with ministry leaders.
under-resourced and underrepresented doctoral students were granted fellowships and received mentoring to help them succeed in graduate school and teaching.
2024 Called to Pastoral
Ministry Course
Participant
Since 1954, nearly 1,200 FTE Doctoral Fellows have received
financial support and joined a community to explore
their calling to ministry and teaching.
Since 2014, FTE has inspired and ushered 1,482 young adults and 462 doctoral students through forums, mentorship, online courses, fellowships, and grants.
Over seven years, 48 Christian entrepreneurs and
innovators gained resources and connected with peers to
jumpstart businesses that cultivate positive change.
In 2024, the DO GOOD X podcast published 39 episodes, earning nearly 427 all-time downloads and 34,000 views on YouTube. These episodes delve into topics like Building Success, Launching Social Entrepreneurship Ventures, Practical Tips for Social Entrepreneurs Balancing Entrepreneurship, Family, and Self-Care, and Navigating Venture Capital Funding Pathways. Our most popular episodes include:
FTE's Online Community unites 719 young adults and faith leaders in all
stages of discernment. Crafted for like-minded individuals to collaborate,
connect, and grow, FTE Leaders build meaningful connections and
broaden ideas about ministry.
2024 Inspire What's Next and 2023 - 2024 Discernment Lab Participant
Pastor Henra Chennault and Pastor Darci Jaret are dedicated leaders at Park Avenue Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA. Henra's involvement with the "Lydia's House" program showcased his commitment to community outreach upon his arrival at the church. He leads with a vision rooted in Jesus' teachings, emphasizing inclusivity and engagement. To Henra, leadership means amplifying diverse voices while centering on God. Henra and Darci have revitalized their church into a hub for community ministry. Their "Constellations of Care" concept has fostered an environment where individuals can give and receive support, drawing diverse people into the church community.
4:12
min
Reverend Amy Figg Ley recounts the narrative of her initial endeavor to guide others toward their paths, which unexpectedly led to her discovery of her own. This is how Amy discerned her calling to ministry while dedicating herself to volunteer work at a children's camp. Her journey commenced in seminary, where her youth ministry involvement revealed her leadership, teaching, and preaching gifts. As she approached her final year of clinical ministry, Amy found her spiritual home within the community of St. John's Lutheran Church, where her work has had a profound impact. Today, Amy continues her journey, partnering with St. John's to assist others in their vocational calling, all while pursuing her Doctorate of Ministry. Amy sees one's vocational calling as a lifelong experience, and her mentees are a constant source of inspiration. Reverend Amy's unwavering commitment to nurturing and fostering the development of future faithful leaders for the Church is a testament to her dedication.
3:39
min
This is the story of John Onwuchekwa, a church planter, entrepreneur, and community planner dedicated to faithful leadership and community impact. After a life-changing experience in Nigeria, John committed to making a difference in the church. He planted a church in Dallas and later moved to Atlanta. Recognizing the need for economic development and spiritual support, John co-founded Portrait Coffee in Atlanta's West End. Through his journey, John encourages future leaders to focus on taking the next faithful step toward solving immediate problems, trusting that each step will reveal the next.
3:44
min
The story of Ray Ranker and Kelsey Kresse highlights the journey of mentorships evolving into friendships and their impact on discovering faithful paths in life. Ray Ranker's own experiences with mentorship, especially under Pastor Beth Platz, influenced his dedication to guiding students. Pastor Ray's ultimate goal is to invest in others, just as many have invested in him.
4:14
min
2024 DISCERN
Participant
FTE is primarily funded through foundational grants, investment income
from those grants, and contributions from the FTE community.
Program Personnel
Administrative Personnel
Travel
Consultants
Conferences
Fellowships/Awards
Other Program Costs
Operations
FTE's ability to inspire what's next is only achievable thanks to the dedicated support of our generous donors and extraordinary community who believe in our mission. Through the continued generosity of our partnerships, we can channel resources into faith communities, theological institutions, and beyond. If you're inspired by our dedication to the investment in future faith leaders, we humbly ask that you consider contributing to FTE. Your donation will support our influence as we collaboratively shape a more hopeful future for the church and our communities. Thank you for believing in the power of what's possible when we dare to inspire what's next, together.
Lilly Endowment, Inc. Indianapolis, IN
Robert Heimburger
Soon Mee Kim
Stephen Lewis
Mr. and Mrs. James Maxfield
Matthew Bloom
Ernest Brooks III
Aisha Brooks-Johnson
Samaria Divine
Darlene Hutto
Shively Smith
James Weimer
Paul Adams
Marissa Akery
Allison Arsenault
Jonathan Bergstrom
Caroline Charles May, in memory of Larry Ted May
Monica Coleman
Kimberly Daniel
Rev. Joe Ella Darby
Rev. Jennifer Ikoma-Motzko
Jordan Lassiter
Jeffrey Leath
The Reverend Drs. Steve and Carol Lytch
Rev. Ray Ranker
Christina Repoley
Marlene Underwood
Elsie Barnhart
Janet Chisom
Diva Hicks
Chrishaun Hoopes
Megan LeCluyse
Colin Mathewson
Lee Anne McGaha
Troy Mendez
Melissa Scott
Richard Sundeen
Heather Wallace
Dr. Kit Evans Ford
Rayce Lamb
Partner
Isaacson, Miller
Washington, DC
Executive Presbyter
Presbytery of Greater Atlanta
Atlanta, GA
Author, Consultant
Seattle, WA
Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer
Omnicom Public Relations Group
Atlanta, GA
FTE President
President (ex-Officio Member)
Atlanta, GA
Church Planter & Centre for Missional
Leadership Associate
St. Andrew's
Hall
Vancouver, BC
Assistant Professor of New Testament
Boston University School of Theology
Boston, MA
Senior Principal Wimberly, Lawson, Steckel, Schneider, & Stine, P.C.
Atlanta, GA
President & CEO
Children's Defense Fund
Washington, DC
