Asbury Professor to Lead Grant-Funded Performance and Events on Racial Reconciliation in the Church
February 11, 2025
In the fall, Professor of Communication Dr. Jim Shores will lead a play on racial reconciliation alongside a juried art exhibit and faculty book group at Asbury University thanks to a Vital Worship, Vital Preach Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship (CICW), with funds provided by Lilly Endowment Inc.
“This grant means that Asbury has an opportunity to explore Christian hospitality in the context of racial equity,” said Shores. “In the fall, Asbury students will perform a show called 40 Acres, which is a comedy-drama about racial reconciliation in the church. It is special that Asbury is a place that really tries to understand what loving our neighbor means to all people.”
As an institution in the Wesleyan Holiness tradition with more than 20 percent of students representing racial and ethnic diversity from around the country and world, Asbury prioritizes the mission to: “Do all the good we can, by all the means we can, in all the ways we can, in all the places we can, at all the times we can, to all the people we can, as long as ever we can” (John Wesley).
According to Calvin University writer Eve Clayton, the CICW has funded 34 year-long projects aimed at strengthening Christian worship practices and preaching in the United States and Canada. Common themes in the latest round of grant projects include peacemaking, trauma healing, multicultural worship, intergenerational worship, and the arts in worship.
“We are grateful for these thoughtful projects that will address important topics churches [and universities] are dealing with in these times. We hope they will experience learning and healing through their worship,” said Kathy Smith, program manager for the grants program and CICW senior associate director.
Since its beginning in the year 2000, the Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grants Program has awarded more than a thousand one-year grants to worshiping communities (churches, schools, and other organizations) and teacher-scholars in various disciplines.
The grants fund thoughtful, creative projects that promote renewal in public worship and faith formation at the local level. In 2023, the program launched an invitational Spanish-language grant program for Hispanic worshiping communities in the United States, including Puerto Rico. The Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grants program is generously supported by Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc.
Asbury University also received a Creo Arts Grant to support the production of the play in November 2025. This grant aims to bring a guest costumer to campus who could provide a diverse perspective on the production.
Creo Arts is an organization, founded by Winfield Bevins, that supports faith-driven artists, patrons, churches, and organizations who are committed to bringing the beauty of the gospel to local communities across the nation and around the world through the arts. Their goal is to cultivate community, equip the church, and create artistic content.
Asbury University continues to implement intercultural initiatives.
Working with the Asbury University Office of the President, the Office of Intercultural Affairs led by the Associate Vice President for Intercultural Affairs & Spiritual Development provides strategic leadership and guidance in cultural competence at Asbury and is primarily responsible for institutional outcomes rooted in Asbury’s commitment to be a Christian community that practices hospitality, mutuality, redemptive social action, and grace-filled reconciliation.