Campbell University establishes Center for Calling and Ministry

Campbell University has announced the establishment of the Center for Calling and Ministry, a new center within the Divinity School. The Center is a major new initiative designed to help Christian congregations and ministry organizations strengthen how they identify, develop, and support pastoral leaders.

The Campbell University Board of Trustees approved the Center during its meeting on Jan. 28.

Funded by a $10 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative, the Center will lead a long-term, collaborative effort to help Christians explore a sense of calling, cultivate vocational discernment in congregational life, and support current and emerging pastoral leaders.

"Churches and ministry organizations are facing real challenges in identifying and supporting pastoral leadership for the years ahead," said Dr. Barry Jones, dean and Tyner Chair of Bible at the Divinity School. "The Center for Calling and Ministry is a strategic, collaborative response. Together, we seek to equip congregations and organizations to nurture discernment, encourage emerging leaders, and strengthen pathways into ministry."

[Link]

A collaborative network cultivating cultures of calling

The Center for Calling and Ministry will operate as a social impact network, convening 7 partner ministries committed to strengthening cultures of calling:

• Campbell University Divinity School
• Campbell University Office of Spiritual Life
• Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
• Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina
• Baptist Women in Ministry
• Baptist Women in Ministry of North Carolina
• Passport Camps

These partnering organizations will develop resources, programs, and learning pathways to help Christians, especially youth and young adults, explore vocation, listen for God's call, and consider ministry leadership. The Center's work will focus on four core areas:

• Identifying potential pastoral leaders among younger generations
• Strengthening cultures of calling within local churches
• Strengthening support for current and emerging pastoral leaders
• Generating new resources, including both programmatic and financial, to sustain cultures of calling into the future

Rev. Rebecca Mathis named Executive Director

The Divinity School appointed the Rev. Rebecca Mathis as the inaugural executive director of the Center for Calling and Ministry. Mathis previously served as director of strategic initiatives for the Divinity School and brings extensive experience in nonprofit executive leadership roles.

"Rebecca Mathis is uniquely gifted and prepared to lead the Center for Calling and Ministry," said Jones. "She is an ordained Baptist minister with an excellent record of leadership in the fields of non-profit ministry and faith-based philanthropy, having established significant ministry relationships with each of our collaborating partners over the past 25 years."

In this new role, Mathis will oversee daily operations, coordinate the collaborative network, and lead the Divinity School's efforts to establish a long-term endowment for the Center. As part of the grant award, Lilly Endowment has approved $3 million in matching funds, which will be unlocked when the Divinity School secures $1.5 million in charitable gifts - resulting in a $4.5 million endowment to sustain the Center's work beyond the initial grant period.

"One of the key lessons I have learned throughout my own ministry journey, is the power of connection and collective action," said Mathis. "I am excited to see how this newly formed social impact network will work together to nurture calling across communities of faith. I am deeply honored to be asked to shepherd this initiative and look forward to working alongside ministry partners who have been instrumental in shaping my own sense of call."

Strengthening the pipeline for future ministry leaders

The Center for Calling and Ministry represents a significant step in the Divinity School's mission to prepare leaders for Christian congregations and organizations through Christ-centered, Bible-based, and ministry-focused theological education. By helping Christians explore calling earlier and more deeply, the Center aims to strengthen the long-term pipeline of individuals considering ministry leadership.

The Center will be housed in Taylor Hall, the home of Campbell University Divinity School, and its work will begin immediately.