Contact: Kerry Traubert

(404) 727-1170
ktraubert@thefund.org

Fund Offers Money and Support

to Future Pastors and Those Who Will Teach Them

$1.5 million in fellowships and programs will help gifted students

pursue theological education in challenging times

ATLANTA, October 19, 2009 – Gifted students across the U.S. and Canada who aspire to be
pastoral leaders and professors can get help for their journeys through Fund for Theological
Education (FTE) fellowships for the 2010-2011 academic year.
The FTE Fellowships will provide $1.5 million in monetary awards and leadership development
opportunities for excellent students from diverse backgrounds. The nationally competitive
fellowships support talented students who are preparing for pastoral ministry and doctoral students
from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups who plan to teach religion, theology or biblical studies.
“Despite economic uncertainty and the multiple challenges of pursuing a theological education,
we hear from hundreds of gifted young people who long to pursue the call to ministry and
teaching,” said Dr. Trace Haythorn, president of The Fund for Theological Education. “They need
and deserve our support. And at this pivotal moment of change within and among all Christian
denominations, the church needs the intellect and passion they offer to sustain quality leadership
across generations.”
FTE Ministry Fellowships are available for undergraduates who are exploring ministry; students
with congregational support who are entering Master of Divinity (M.Div.) programs at accredited
theological schools; recent participants in faith-based volunteer service organizations who are
enrolling in M. Div. programs; and second-year seminary students who demonstrate exceptional
gifts for pastoral leadership. FTE Doctoral Fellowships provide financial stipends and networking
support to African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic and Native American students who
demonstrate high academic performance, gifts for leadership and a commitment to teach in North
American theological schools. Eligibility requirements, nomination materials and applications are
available at www.thefund.org/programs.
Enrollment in the M.Div. programs that prepare students for the profession of ministry have
been flat or declining over the past two years and interest in congregational ministry among current
seminary students has also diminished. In addition, one-third of North American theological schools
do not have a scholar of color on their faculties, even as they serve increasingly diverse students
and communities. As a nonprofit, ecumenical advocate for excellence and diversity in pastoral
ministry and theological scholarship, FTE seeks to reverse these trends by supporting qualified
candidates for both professions.