SPRINGFIELD, Missouri – Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (AGTS) is celebrating the significant nationwide impact made in the first year of its Rural Church Ministry partnership. More than 1,200 churches were resourced, and over 6,000 pastors and lay leaders received training and were connected with churches in 31 states.
The partnership is a collaborative effort funded by a grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc. to develop educational resources, internships, and an extensive resource hub connecting existing programs and leaders to address the unique needs of rural pastors and congregations.
“AGTS wants to see healthy, vibrant churches equipped to be resource centers within their communities, providing an anchor of real hope and assistance,” said Keith Jones, director for the Rural Grant Partnership.
Partners include the Assemblies of God (AG) USA, Rural Compassion, Trinity Bible College, and Rural Advancement, as well as 13 regional AG network partners that can help bridge the gap between local churches and necessary resources.
Efforts are focused in towns with populations of 10,000 or fewer.
The goal is to reach 6,040 churches by the end of 2029, and year one already marks 20% progress towards that goal.
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About the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary
The Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (AGTS) is a Pentecostal community of scholarship dedicated to forming servants who lead, equip the Church, and reach the world for Christ. As the national seminary of the Assemblies of God, AGTS stands at the forefront of theological education by blending academic rigor with Spirit-empowered practice. The seminary is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and offers master’s and doctoral degrees in a variety of flexible formats.