Cooperative Christian Ministry in Higher Education at UNC Charlotte has been awarded a $100,000 grant by the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment’s Theological Exploration of Vocation for Campus Ministries Initiative.
Cooperative Christian Ministry is a Charlotte-based not-for-profit ministry of the Episcopal, Lutheran (ELCA), Presbyterian (USA) and United Methodist churches.
Under the direction of Rev. Stephen Cheyney, the ministry operates as Niner United at UNC Charlotte, Wildcats United at Johnson and Wales University and CP United at Central Piedmont Community College.
The $100,000 grant will be used at Niner United Christian Fellowship, the UNC Charlotte campus ministry, Cheyney said. The work will be called the Accelerated Ministry Project (AMP).
"I am excited about our possibilities and potential to pursue some innovative visions we have had for helping students accelerate their calls into ministry and helping other students identify their vocations,” he said.
AMP will include opportunities such as workshops designed to help students identify their vocational interests and competencies. It also will offer advanced studies to prepare students for graduate work in theology and various field experiences such as internships in area churches, Cheyney said.
Cooperative Christian Ministry is one of only 21 campus ministry organizations across the country to receive funding as part of the endowment’s Campus Ministry Theological Exploration of Vocation initiative.
For more than 15 years, the Lilly Endowment has pursued strategic initiatives that help cultivate a new generation of Christian leaders. These efforts, which include the endowment's Programs for the Theological Exploration of Vocation and the Council of Independent College’s Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education, have helped thousands of students at more than 175 church-related schools renew their commitments to their faith and encouraged them to follow calls into many forms of Christian ministry and service.