The Western Pennsylvania District is glad to be a partner with the Center for Rural Ministry (CRM) at Grove City College. Through a generous grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., the CRM now offers funded sabbaticals of up to four weeks to help rural and small-town pastors find rest and restoration. This program is reserved for those pastors and is separate from the WPA District Sabbatical Grant. Pastors serving in suburban or urban settings are encouraged to pursue the District Sabbatical Grant through the district office.

At a Glance

• Grant amount: up to $10,000

• Sabbatical length: up to four weeks

• Eligibility: This grant is limited to pastors currently serving rural or small-town congregations. Applicants need at least seven years in ministry (chaplaincy included), and this will be their first sabbatical.

• First-round deadline: November 15, 2026, with a possible second round in early 2027

• To begin: email office@ruralministry.org to request the application form

About the Program

For the past seven years, the Center for Rural Ministry has worked to help local pastors and congregations thrive. The CRM holds a deep conviction about the God-given importance of the local church and partners with pastors and congregations as they bear witness to the goodness of God in the communities they serve. The stresses and strains of pastoring are real, especially for solo pastors who carry the weekly tasks of church life and receive the first call in a time of crisis.

The sabbatical program aims to bless both pastors and the congregations they serve. Alongside the pastor’s renewal, the church uses the season to think through critical elements of its own life and ministry, strengthening its internal systems and lay leadership.

What a Complete Application Includes

• A letter of request from the pastor explaining how a sabbatical would benefit him or her and describing the planned activities.

• A letter of support from an official church representative explaining why a sabbatical fits their pastor and how the church will use the time to strengthen its internal systems and lay leadership.

• The CRM Sabbatical Grant Application Form, emailed upon request.

• A basic budget. Acceptable categories include:

  • Travel (airfare, car rental and gasoline, personal automobile mileage, other ground transportation)

  • Meals and lodging

  • Tuition, conference, and seminar fees

  • Books, telephone, postage, equipment, and supplies

  • Other costs such as tours, entrance fees, and event tickets

  • Pulpit supply (stipend, mileage) and interim staff

  • Congregational events and supplies

  • Tax liability (consult a CPA or tax accountant)

• Optional: an essay or short video showing the pastor’s need for a sabbatical. Creativity is welcome.

Send digital copies of all application materials to office@ruralministry.org.