A Murfreesboro minister is one of 146 nationally, to be honored by Lilly Endowment, Inc. In fact, Reverend Dr. John A. Hinkle, Jr. is one of only two Tennessee recipients to receive the 2017 competitive grant. He is the pastor of Murfreesboro's First Presbyterian Church.

The grant is administered by Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. Funds from the grant allow Christian congregations of diverse denominational traditions to support their pastors with the gift of extended time away from their ministerial duties and responsibilities. A "Sabbath time" concept of reflection, renewal, prayer and deliberate respite from the stress of pastoral leadership offers an opportunity for renewal for both the ministers with their families and the congregations they serve.

Hinkle's sabbatical term will be May through August, 2018.Dr. Hinkle commented, "The Lilly Sabbatical grant is a once in a life time opportunity. With my family in transition, aging parents, and a son graduating from college--I centered my proposal on family and play."

John has a passion in ministry to reach those wanting more than the world has to offer.

He said, "I believe the local church is where one can raise questions and discover answers to life's problems and, through such a process, become awakened to the love of Jesus Christ."

According to Lilly Endowment's website, "The ultimate aim of Lilly Endowment's religion grantmaking is to deepen and enrich the religious lives of American Christians, primarily by helping to strengthen their congregations."

Lilly Endowment has focused on supporting programs and projects that address three broad questions: How do we identify, recruit and call forth a new generation of talented Christian pastors? How do we best prepare and train new ministers for effective and faithful pastoral leadership? How do we improve the skills and sustain the excellence of pastors currently serving congregations? We also fund efforts that enhance the vitality of local congregations and that enable ordinary church members to mine the deep wisdom of the Christian faith and to take up their vocations in the life of the world as people of faith.

Our efforts are premised on the conviction that the local congregation is the primary place where most Christians gather in community to worship God, to learn what it means to be people of faith, to teach the beliefs and practices of Christian faith to each new generation, and to reach out to others in service and witness. Strong, vital congregations play powerful roles in the lives of those who participate in them as well as to the larger civic communities of which they are a part."

John is married to Dr. Leila Hinkle and they have a son, Tripp.