Concordia Nebraska receives $25,000 grant from Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
Seward, NE (08/03/2026) — Concordia University, Nebraska recently announced that the university has received a $25,000 grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship (CICW). CICW's Vital Worship, Vital Preaching initiative provides grants to churches, schools, senior living communities and nonprofits to support year-long projects that connect public worship with Christian discipleship.
"This grant will allow us to continue building on the solid foundation of campus ministry initiatives we already have," said Rebekah Freed, Concordia Nebraska's Campus Director of Christian Education (DCE) and Housing Coordinator. "We are excited to see how God continues to work in this place and are thankful for the many ways He provides for us each day."
Freed will serve as the grant's project manager alongside campus pastor Rev. Ryan Matthias.
The grant funds have been earmarked for a number of projects including:
- Hosting a fall retreat in October for Concordia Nebraska students
- Creating a campus ministry hub for small groups and ministry leaders to gather
- Supporting the continuation of The Attic, the university's Sunday night campus-wide Bible study
- Facilitating five student-led service projects during Lent for campus-wide participation
- Providing devotional, small group and Bible study resources for students
- Offering training opportunities and resources for volunteer student ministry leaders
- Taking a small group of student leaders to the Worship Arts Leader initiative (WALi) Summit in St. Louis in September, a trip that is also partially funded through generous Concordia donor funds
- Creating audio versions of the university's Advent and Lent devotions and supporting podcast devotions in other seasons
- Commissioning student artists for liturgical art projects during Lent and Advent
- Providing seed money for a new mission trip opportunity.
These projects are made possible through a Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, Michigan, with funds provided by Lilly Endowment Inc.
The projects connect the university's current worship practices to daily faith practices and new opportunities for community. At Concordia Nebraska, faith is woven into every aspect of campus life. Whether in chapel services, small group Bible studies, residence halls, classroom or casual conversations, faith is lived out daily, shaping hearts and strengthening the university's Christ-centered community.
About Concordia University, Nebraska
Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod located in Seward, Nebraska, which currently serves more than 1,700 students. Concordia offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world. For more information, visit cune.edu.
###
Media Attachments
Concordia University, Nebraska students, faculty, staff and community members attend chapel.