Author

Janel Kragt Bakker

Janel Kragt Bakker is associate director of the Collegeville Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research in the Saint John's University community of Collegeville, Minn. She earned a doctorate in religion and culture at the Catholic University of America. Bakker is the author of "Sister Churches: American Congregations and Their Partners Abroad."

droplet on a leaf

Apply for a Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grant 

Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grants from the Calvin Institute for Christian Worship are designed for worshiping communities. These grants allow a wide range of Christian worshiping communities to focus on projects that connect public worship with Christian discipleship and faith formation. Funding awards range from $8,000 to $25,000. 

The grants support year-long projects that show promise in fostering renewed or strengthened worship practices within worshiping communities in the United States or Canada. Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grants for teacher-scholars are also available. Applications for the October 15 deadline will open on July 15, 2026.

Learn More