NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Academy for Spiritual Formation, a ministry of The Upper Room, is offering a matching grant opportunity designed to help churches, denominational bodies, and Christian organizations invest in the spiritual formation of leaders within their communities.
Through the Encouraging Spiritual Leaders matching grant program, participating institutions can receive matching funds from The Academy of up to $5,000 total to support individuals attending a Two-Year Academy for Spiritual Formation. The next Two-Year Academy, #44, begins October 26, 2026, at Camp McDowell Retreat Center in Nauvoo, Alabama.
The program is intended to make the transformational Two-Year Academy experience more accessible to clergy and lay leaders seeking deeper grounding for ministry, leadership, and faithful living.
“Many spiritual leaders are carrying tremendous responsibility while longing for deeper renewal and sustenance,” said Johnny Sears, Director of The Academy for Spiritual Formation. “This matching grant is one way we can partner with churches and institutions to invest in leaders who are seeking a more rooted, contemplative, and courageous way of living and serving.”
Since 1983, The Academy for Spiritual Formation has guided thousands of participants through an immersive rhythm of worship, silence, learning, covenant community, and spiritual practice. The Two-Year Academy gathers participants for eight five-day retreats over the course of two years, offering a curriculum centered on Christian spiritual formation and faithful engagement with the world.
An independent research study funded by Lilly Endowment affirmed The Academy’s long-term impact, noting participants experienced a deeper relationship with God, stronger practices of self- and soul-care, and renewed creativity and freedom in ministry.
Through the Encouraging Spiritual Leaders matching grant program, The Academy and The Upper Room will match institutional funding up to $1,000 per participant, with a maximum of $5,000 per institution. Participating organizations are encouraged to identify and directly invite individuals who would benefit most from the experience and who can carry that formation back into their communities.
Two-Year Academy #44 will take place entirely at Camp McDowell Retreat & Conference Center in Nauvoo, Alabama. Additional information about the program, session dates, and application details can be found at upperroom.org/academy/retreats/two-year-44
Organizations interested in participating in the Encouraging Spiritual Leaders Matching Grant Program can contact The Academy office at [email protected] or 615-340-7233.
More information about The Academy, including the dates for all eight sessions, is available on our website. Copies of our brochure are available online or upon request from our office. A media kit with downloadable graphics and a letter to share with denominational leaders is also available for those interested in helping spread the invitation.
###
About The Academy for Spiritual Formation
The Academy for Spiritual Formation is a ministry of The Upper Room dedicated to cultivating communities of prayer, learning, silence, and spiritual practice that nurture compassionate, Christ-centered leadership for the church and the world. Since 1983, The Academy has offered transformational experiences for clergy and laity seeking deeper spiritual grounding and faithful engagement with the world.
About The Upper Room
The Upper Room is a global ministry dedicated to supporting the spiritual formation of Christians seeking to know and experience God more fully. From its beginnings as a daily devotional guide, The Upper Room has grown to include publications, programs, prayer support, and other resources to help believers of all ages and denominations move to a deeper level of faith and service. The Upper Room is a part of Discipleship Ministries. Visit UpperRoom.org to learn more.
Contact:
Johnny Sears
The Academy for Spiritual Formation
[email protected]
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RNS or Religion News Foundation.