Kern Family Foundation awards Trinity $1 million grant to serve churches

Deerfield, Ill. - The Kern Family Foundation has awarded a $1 million grant to Trinity International University to help launch the Center for Transformational Churches.

The Center will also become the new home of the Oikonomia Network, an evangelical seminary learning community that equips pastors to connect work and the economy to biblical wisdom, sound theology, daily discipleship, and good stewardship.

Trinity President David S. Dockery said the grant further strengthens the institution's ability to equip church leaders and congregations for effective ministry in the 21st century.

"We are deeply grateful to the Kern Family Foundation for this investment in our service to churches, pastors, and church leaders," Dockery said. "This agreement represents another stage in what has been a fruitful partnership with the Foundation, and it will strengthen Trinity and its preparation of church leaders for years to come."

Kern Family Foundation President Jim Rahn said the award recognizes Trinity's excellent leadership in preparing future pastors. "We are excited to extend our partnership with Trinity in this strategic way. It will strengthen pastors and churches across the country."

Trinity's new Center for Transformational Churches will serve as a resource both to church members and church leaders. The center will help pastors and other church leaders better understand the vital connection between faith, work and economics with their congregations. Dockery noted that "one specific initiative of the program will focus on assisting churches in developing Christian worldview approaches to faith, work, and economics, seeking to connect biblical wisdom with the modern global economy." That effort is the Oikonomia Network, and it will involve nearly 20 other evangelical institutions.

Greg Forster will lead the faith, work, and economics initiative. Forster is currently the director of the Oikonomia Network, which the Foundation has operated since its beginning in 2010. The new Center will also work closely with Made to Flourish, a national network of pastors led by Trinity Board member Tom Nelson that helps pastors and churches nourish human flourishing and further the common good.

Dockery commended Sr. Vice President David Hoag for his leadership in this effort, noting that "we are grateful for David Hoag's oversight of the project development related to this initiative, which, to say the least, is an incredibly exciting opportunity, placing Trinity in a key leadership position related to worldview thinking and worldview formation all across the evangelical world for the days ahead. We are grateful to God for this gracious and generous provision for Trinity through the Kern Family Foundation."