In 2024, Leadership Education awarded 50 Reflective Leadership Grants to lay and ordained Christian leaders.

This grant program provided up to $15,000 to step away from their current work to reflect on accomplishments, broaden perspectives and discern next steps.

These leaders serve in a range of roles, from project director to senior administrator, and work in a variety of organizations, including denominations, seminaries, church-related colleges, consultancies, congregations, Christian non-profits, Christian social enterprises and others.

Provided are brief summary descriptions of grantees' central focus during their grant period.

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Jon Anderson

Collaboration Project
Monona, WI

Discerning our next season of ministry in Dane County, WI through a rhythm of learning, reflection, and contextualization so that we might better accomplish our mission

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Walter Angelica

City Church Multiplication Network
Jacksonville, FL

Reflecting on a sustainable and innovative approach to lead a healthy Latino church planting network, supporting new leaders, pastors and church planters’ growth

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Trevor Beauford

The Place
Hartford, CT & Charlotte, NC

Discerning steps, moving from experimentation to building a real community—should we become a more institutional church?

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Asa Bell, Jr.

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church
Raleigh, NC

Our goal is to explore methods and practices to address current and future ministry needs in eastern Wake County, specifically in the areas of affordable housing, gentrification and family development.

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Nicole Marie Bergeron

Aslan Housing Foundation
Redwood City, CA

California's biggest strategic ministry threat is the staff housing crisis. Aslan Housing Foundation aims to reflect on how to scale its Down Payment Assistance Program to support pastors and educators so they can thrive.

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Thomas Brackeen Jr.

Metropolitan AME Church
Waldorf, MD

After over 29 years working with youth, it's time to rest, reflect and imagine new innovative ways to build a sustainable future for youth ministry in an urban historical church.

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Henry Brinton

Fairfax Presbyterian Church
Fairfax, VA

Crafting a fulfilling goal for pastoral ministry, at retirement or at the end of a period of service, so that the church is strong and vital when the pastor leaves

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Amy Brown

Noah at Central
Detroit, MI

Growing our services to include housing and creating a campus culture of inclusion and radical hospitality that will profoundly impact our campus and downtown Detroit long into the future

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Marta Castillo

Mosaic Mennonite Conference
Norristown, PA

Reflecting on how to grow relational capacity and adapt leadership accountability amid conference-wide growth of geographical locations, intercultural diversity and congregational transitions

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Darla DeFrance

Columbia City Church of Hope
Seattle, WA

Nourishing spiritual depth and community networks as Church of Hope moves into a new building partnership with affordable housing

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Amanda Drury

Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, IN

Reflecting on the past and engaging in experimentation to discern what the next faithful step might be

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Adam Fronczek

Knox Presbyterian Church
Cincinnati, OH

Strengthening the relationship between neighborhood churches and schools in a time of changing public influence and stretched resources

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Eric Garbison

Elder's Circle
Kansas City, MO

Reflection on a season of regrouping from the pandemic, broadening our ministry, revisiting vocation, and exploring financial viability

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Bonnie Gatchell

Route One Ministry
Boston, MA

Creating intentional time for rest and reflection to reimagine ways to grow and sustain a multi-site organization to more effectively bring healing to women and better equip Church leaders

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Katie Gooch

The Pace Center
Richmond, VA

Discerning how a thriving startup based on asset-based community development principles can share its learnings to impact the greater Church while becoming sustainable

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Carl Greene

Seventh Day Baptist General Conference of USA and Canada
Janesville, WI

Observing and responding to a personal and organizational pivot point through intentional balcony time with a coach, a content expert, a mentoring leader, and community time with other denomination leaders.

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Susie Hayward

Mayflower Community Congregational United Church of Christ
Minneapolis, MN

A reimagining of Minneapolis-based Christian global justice theology and praxis in the aftermath of the reckoning on systemic racial injustice and colonialism sparked by the murder of George Floyd

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Danilie Hilerio-Villanueva

PCUSA
Aguadilla, PR

Articulating a contextualized definition of pastoral care, as a faithful practice among leadership and congregants

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Ryan Hoffmann

Religious Formation Conference
Chicago, IL

Stepping back to discern, reflect on, and formulate a strategy that responds to the changing landscape of religious life

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Geoffrey Hsu

Flourish San Diego
San Diego, CA

Maximizing and sustaining recent grant work while taking into account an eventual leadership transition will be the hopeful opportunity to be addressed

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J. Scott Hudgins

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina
Winston-Salem, NC

Revisiting and rediscovering significant sources, experiences, people and places in my formation for ministry in an effort to discern and prepare for the next chapter in my work with pastors

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Thomas Joyner

St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church
Auburn, AL

A pivot point in needing to reflect on expanding worship needs in celebration of the faith community's centennial

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David Kim

Goldenwood Inc.
Princeton, NJ

Listening deeply to God and industry leaders to launch a Collective and Institute that enlivens a new vision for work

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Aimee Laramore

Allyd Solutions
Fishers, IN

Prayerfully reflecting on the creation of fresh resources and written ministry tools to support, transform and radically inspire ministries

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Beth Ludlum

Wesley Theological Seminary
Washington, DC

Cultivating institutional and personal sustainability by reconnecting with God’s creativity, abundance, and joy

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Garry Mills

Shoot Basketballs NOT People
Philadelphia, PA

Reflecting on how to continue to foster leadership and community resilience in youth through sports, mentorship, and holistic development, and studying how to empower them to choose positive pathways and reduce violence

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Philip Misner

Northwest Intermountain Synod, ELCA
Spokane, WA

Exploring how Bowen Family Systems Theory (BFST) intersects with personal and professional life, as well as how BFST engages with other ways of thinking and living systematically

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Michael Okińczyc-Cruz

Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership
Chicago, IL

Discerning the vision and strategic plan for our growth and impact over the next decade, and reflecting on the theological and spiritual underpinnings of our grassroots-led and faith-rooted justice work

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Sandra Ovalle Gomez

Sojourners
Washington, DC

Reflecting on leadership practices that integrate joy, tenacity, and rest to ensure a faithful response as a table-setter

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Tara Owens

Anam Cara Ministries
Colorado Springs, CO

Stewarding ministry by stepping back for organizational and leadership development; writing towards the sacred future of spiritual direction while honoring the past

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David Park

Open Table Community
Decatur, GA

After leading an evolving church community over the last 12 years, it’s time to curate, reflect on, and share structures that foster deeper connections and growth, personally and collectively

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Leon Parker

Unity CME Church
Hoover, AL

Developing sustainable, intergenerational ministry frameworks to enhance leadership, community engagement, and strategic planning

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Guesnerth Perea

Center for Spiritual Imagination, Black Lives & Contemplation
Brooklyn, NY

Research and experimentation on how to expand the reach of Black Lives and Contemplation to benefit the spiritual lives of the Black community and beyond

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Carlos Perkins

Bethel Cathedral African Methodist Episcopal Church
Indianapolis, IN

Engaging in the time and curating resources to study and reflect on evolving roles as a senior pastor, Indianapolis City-County Council member, and scholar

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Anthony L. Riley

Central Baptist Church, St. Louis
St. Louis, MO

Embracing innovative and transformative leadership for historic African American congregations in Saint Louis to lead in the community and invest globally

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Edith Robinson-Davis

Lee's Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church
Wilmington, NC

Intentional reflection, discernment and articulation of God’s will in one’s life and next-step ministry through an educational and training process with rural congregants that strengthen leadership and vision

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Carlos A. Rodriguez Sostre

The Happy Givers
Vega Alta, PR

Amidst expanding needs and support, we pause to ensure our long-term health, honor our values, and stay focused on serving our community with heart and intention

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Natarsha Sanders

Barnett Chapel United Methodist Church and Doyle Community Center
Kerrville, TX

A time to sharpen my leadership skills through coaching, conferences, and engaging in community accountability practices that empower us forward, while honoring our past

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Vanesa Scott-Thompson

Elim Christian Services
Crestwood, IL

Taking intentional time to prepare for a shift from where I am currently in my leadership to wherever God is leading me

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Sara Simons

The Way Between
Lakewood, CO

Reflecting on the stage of growth of the organization alongside the leader and founder’s capacity, skill-set, and congruence with the overall mission of the organization

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Anwar Smith

GRIP Outreach For Youth
Chicago, IL

Two years after replacing the founding Executive Director, I find myself searching for answers that will lead to a clear path forward for myself and the organization

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Susan K Smith

Crazy Faith Ministries
Columbus, OH

Time to encourage an understanding and expression of the Gospel via music, visual art, writing, and other art forms

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Michelle Steffenhagen

Bethel University
New Brighton, MN

Embracing change and reflecting on how to partner with students as they discern and respond to life’s many callings

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Lydia Suh

Progressive Asian American Christians
Arlington, MA

Discerning a thriving sustainable future of PAAC in the next era of building connection and community

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Lori Tapia

Central Pastoral Office for Hispanic Ministries (Obra Hispana)
Indianapolis, IN

Obra Hispana’s intersection of operational restructure and future visioning creates a perfect pivot point for reflection on leadership and ministry expansion, positioning a healthy Obra now and into future generations.

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Joia Thornton

The Faith Leaders of Color Coalition
Brookhaven, GA

Reclaiming the dream space of Black & Indigenous faith leaders who fought tirelessly in the past for justice and humanity, while sustaining and remaining steadfast in their faith

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Stephen Tumolo

Heart-to-Heart
Hull, MA

Listening and discerning in response to increased demand for our work, drawing on the leadership and experience of wounded healers within and beyond our organization

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Lorenzo Watson

Christian Community Development Association
Chicago, IL

Creating space for deep reflection, both in community and in solitude, as I discern what it means to lead in this season

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Starsky Wilson

Children’s Defense Fund
Washington, DC

Developing paths for transforming America’s children’s movement by building networks to pursue a hopeful vision and theologies of child well-being in the community, classrooms, and halls of Congress

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Aizaiah Yong

The Center for Engaged Compassion at the Claremont School of Theology
Los Angeles, CA

Navigating an intergenerational shift, the center is welcoming fresh perspectives and approaches to the study, teaching, and cultivation of compassion across diverse cultural and social contexts