About Us
In 2020, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary received a one-million-dollar grant from the Lilly Endowment’s Thriving Congregations Initiative to work on strengthening historic Black congregations in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. Serving as the project’s first advisor, Dr. Angela Cowser assembled a team of congregational leaders (Rev. Claudette Snorton, Rev. Dr. Amariah McIntosh, Dr. Marion Miller, Rev. Roscoe Linton, and Rev. Tammy Acree), a program consultant adept in community organizing (Dr. Gerald Taylor), and a grant manager (Dr. Terrance A. Bridges, Sr.). In 2023, Dr. Justin Reed became the second project advisor. Together we adapted the original project goals to the rapidly changing needs brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the course of five years, the Nehemiah Project has done strategic work to help fifteen participating congregations develop their mission and vision statements, enhance their technological capabilities, improve their financial literacy, disseminate public health information, re-imagine the use of their space and leveraging of assets, educate their congregations and their leaders, and strengthen their spiritual connection with God.
This website gives you a snapshot of some of the work of the Nehemiah Project and access to a few of the resources with the hope that you, your congregation, or your community will be able to benefit as well.