McMurry University has received a $40,000 grant from the Council of Independent Colleges and the Lilly Endowment, Inc. to pilot the Vocational Discernment Academy. This initiative will pair students with experienced pastoral mentors in local partner congregations for summer internships, offering hands-on experience in worship leadership, pastoral care, community outreach, and church administration.
“Christian faith is one of our core values at McMurry,” university president Dr. Lynne Murray said. “We are thrilled to work with our local churches to prepare students for a career in ministry.”
Under the leadership of University Chaplain Rev. Ricky Harrison and in collaboration with Religion Professor Dr. John Miller, the Vocational Discernment Academy will enhance McMurry’s current Pre-Ministry Internship Program. The Academy incorporates a cohort model, where students will concurrently participate in a series of retreats focused on centering prayer, case-study discussions, and guided reflections on ministry and leadership.
“The Vocational Discernment Academy is designed to enhance and expand the existing Pre-Ministry Program at McMurry,” said University Chaplain Ricky Harrison. “This grant will fund student internships in Christian Ministry at some of the most vibrant congregations around Abilene and create a network of peer support and collaboration that will serve students throughout their lifetime of ministry. We believe this intentional focus on fostering vocational discernment will better prepare students for lives of leadership, service, and professional success in both the Church and the world.”
The collaborative nature of the Academy will equip students for meaningful careers in ministry by fostering a network of peer support, deepening students’ understanding of ecclesial leadership, and developing students’ vocational calling.
McMurry University is a member of the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE), a program of the Council of Independent Colleges comprising over 300 colleges and universities formed to support and enrich vocational exploration and discernment among undergraduate students.
Contact
Nicholas Ocheltree, Director of Integrated Communications
ocheltree.nick@mcm.edu
325-793-3800, ext.1013