Who We Are

Our mission is to cultivate diverse young people to be faithful, wise and courageous leaders for the church and the academy.

Our Mission 

We believe that diverse, young Christian leaders will affect the church’s future, vitality and social relevance. These leaders in ministry make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities. Every community needs capable, compassionate Christian leaders who serve the common good, strive for justice, build up the community, share the Gospel and ultimately do the church’s work in the world.

In 1954, leading educators, clergy and philanthropists joined together to form The Fund for Theological Education (FTE) out of common concern that the quality of those entering into ministry had declined and that talented young adults were too often choosing other careers. They believed—as we do today—that this trend could leave congregations and communities across North America without the strong leaders they need, now and in the decades to come. They believed that our shared faith deserves the best possible leadership that the Christian church can put forward.

FTE is dedicated to finding and supporting tomorrow's Christian leaders, pastors and theological educators who will make a difference in the world through the church. We identify, connect, inspire and support young people across denominations and backgrounds as they explore or enter into vocations in ministry and teaching and lead their communities faithfully, innovatively and courageously to participate in God’s work in the world. FTE provides vocational discernment gatherings, mentoring opportunities, fellowships, grants and a community of support on the path to discovering their purpose, passion and call.

We invite you to join us in supporting future Christian leaders, those who teach them and the communities that call them.

Supported by the vision of donors and partners, FTE resolved to do something about it.

Our Stories

Meet young leaders and partners in FTE’s community who are renewing the church and changing the world.

		Neichelle R. Guidry Jones ('06 '11 '12) "I want to articulate the relationship between a transitioning congregation's identity and its liturgy."				Pedro Reis ('12) "I have only ever received one vocation and that is for my life’s work to be in ministry. "
		Kenneth Clewett ('12) "I just had to figure out what that Gospel was and what it meant to live it.."				Kamilah Bywaters ('12) "God was calling me to receive love, so that I could share love."
		Eva Suárez ('12) "I have wanted to be an Episcopal priest since I was 14 years old."				Tyler Sit ('10 '12) "There are broader ways to consider ministry, though, and this type of global-local ministry is exactly where I feel called.."

CLICK HERE to listen to more stories of young Christian leaders who preach, teach and care for others and build, renew and transform Christian communities to participate in God’s work in the world.