Global Initiative to Strengthen Theological Education Worldwide
PRESS RELEASE | February 4, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bishop Patrick Streiff
The Endowment for Theological Education in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines
Subject: Call to Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, Lead Courageously – Miracle Sunday Initiative
United Methodist Leaders Launch Global Initiative to Strengthen Theological Education Worldwide
The Endowment for Theological Education in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines, initiated by the Council of Bishops, is pleased to announce the launch of the “Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, Lead Courageously – Miracle Sunday” Initiative. The initiative, which has been approved by the Council of Bishops, the Connectional Table, and the General Council on Finance and Administration, calls The United Methodist Church into an unprecedented, God‑led, Holy Spirit‑empowered season of worship, learning, and generosity. Read more at https://www.endowftecc.org/
From April 12 through May 17, 2026, 30,000 United Methodist congregations and their pastors worldwide will join in a six‑week emphasis culminating in Miracle Sunday. This global effort seeks to deepen discipleship and raise a special offering to fund theological education, ultimately preparing 500 students annually for pastoral ministry across Africa, Europe, and the Philippines.
A Global Call to Love, Serve, and Lead
This six‑week church-wide emphasis invites United Methodists to embody the denomination’s vision:
To form disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in the community and the world.
Through a worship and small‑group series, congregations will unite in prayer, explore core scriptural themes, and engage in acts of generosity that directly support theological education outside the United States.
The Miracle We Seek
“Our bold goal is to endow 500 scholarships in perpetuity, ensuring that courageous, well‑prepared leaders can serve in some of the most challenging missional communities around the world. This will require prayer, faith, and a miracle—but we trust the Holy Spirit to multiply our gifts beyond what we can imagine,” said Bishop Patrick Streiff, President of the Endowment.
The Challenge: A Global Leadership Gap
United Methodists worldwide have weathered a global pandemic, navigated disaffiliations, and responded with compassion amid conflict and natural disaster. Yet a persistent challenge remains:
A deep inequity in access to theological education.
71% of U.S. clergy hold a master’s degree in theology.
Less than 5% of clergy outside the United States have the same level of preparation.
U.S. seminaries benefit from strong denominational funding, stable enrollment, and healthy endowments.
More than 20 theological schools in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines receive limited support and have little or no endowment.
The Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, Lead Courageously – Miracle Sunday Initiative aims to address this disparity by strengthening the Endowment for Theological Education outside the U.S.—securing support for the formation of pastoral leaders for generations to come.
About the Endowment for Theological Education outside the United States
Launched by the Council of Bishops in 2014, the Endowment serves as a permanently invested fund to provide sustainable, reliable, and long‑term financial support to theological institutions outside the U.S.
Why Endowments Matter:
Sustainable: Long‑term funding beyond short‑term campaigns
Reliable: Stable support year after year
Impactful: A legacy that forms leaders for decades
“An endowment is like a tree whose roots run deep—nourishing the future church with strong, faithful leadership,” said Bishop Bruce Ough, Regional Initiative Director for the United States.
Three Key Principles of the Initiative
1. Unite in Love Boldly and Miracle Sunday
Congregations worldwide will begin the initiative immediately after Easter, culminating in Miracle Sunday during week six (or one week earlier if necessary). Unified participation strengthens global connection.
2. Model Generosity
Drawing on 1 Chronicles 29, bishops, conference leaders, pastors, and lay leaders will give first, setting the pace for generous participation throughout the connection.
3. Educate on Vision and Theological Education
Through worship resources, small‑group guides, videos, and printed curriculum, congregations will deepen their understanding of the church’s mission and the vital importance of theological education.
Initiative Methodology: A Biblical Path to Generosity
The structure of the initiative follows the flow of generosity modeled in 1 Chronicles 29, when the people of Israel gave joyfully to build the temple:
King David Led: His personal gifts set the example.
Commitments: Bishops and Endowment Board – Late OctoberLeaders Followed: Family heads, officials, and commanders gave generously.
Commitments: Conference Leadership – January
Pastors – Two weeks before Miracle Sunday
Congregational Leadership – One week before Miracle SundayThe People Responded: Witnessing the leadership’s generosity, the people gave with joy.
Commitments: Worshipers – Miracle Sunday
Leadership Modeling + Congregational Participation = Abundant Generosity
Values Grounding the Initiative
Guided by Scripture, the initiative affirms:
Funds are raised biblically (1 Chronicles 29).
Not equal gifts but equal sacrifice (Luke 21:1‑4).
No gift is too large or too small (Luke 21:1‑4).
Leaders set the pace (1 Chronicles 29:9).
God provides the miracle (Luke 18:27).
God exceeds expectations (Ephesians 3:20).
This effort unifies the Church and affirms a future with hope (Jeremiah 29:11).
A Call to the Worldwide Church
United Methodist congregations everywhere are invited to:
Pray for God’s miraculous provision
Engage in the six‑week emphasis using the worship and small group materials
Give generously on Miracle Sunday
Support the formation of pastors who will love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously
Together, God is ready to work a miracle through us.