Author

Michael W. Waters

Lead pastor of Abundant Life AME Church

Michael W. Waters is the founder and lead pastor of the Abundant Life African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Dallas, Texas. A pastor, professor, national award-winning author, activist and social commentator, he has appeared on ABC Nightline, CBS This Morning, National Public Radio and numerous other media outlets. As a current Emerson Collective Fellow, Waters is researching storytelling as pedagogy for inspiring civic action. You can find him at michaelwwaters.com and in the documentary “Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom.”

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