Lancaster Theological Seminary learned last month that its Leadership Now: Spiritual Formation With Youth program is receiving a $939,000 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.

And while that's welcome news, it's even more remarkable considering the amount is $175,000 more than what the seminary requested.

As foundations struggle with fewer resources in the tough economy, such a generous contribution is rare indeed. But Lilly Endowment has recognized Leadership Now as as one the top three programs of its kind in the country.

"We've seen very profound results" over the years, said the Rev. Jacquie Church Young, who directs Leadership Now.

The 8-year-old program, for students 12 through college age, teaches leadership skills and exposes participants to social, political and realities here and around the world.

"We resist spoon-fed Christianity!" declares Leadership Now's Web site (leadershipnow.org).

Seminary President Dr. Riess Potterveld said the program is part of LTS's effort to expand theological education.

The number of such programs is shrinking nationwide, because it's hard to get funding and to keep enough youth interested, Potterveld said.

Leadership Now, however, has managed to become self-sustaining, he said.

Young said a decision hasn't been made whether to use the Lilly Endowment grant to expand the program or to endow it.

There are three levels of student involvement in Leadership Now. Single-day gatherings — known as confirmation days and youth events — have attendees participate in worship services, tour the seminary and take part in workshops, such as "Drumming for Peace."

About five of these events are held during the school year, Young said. They draw 50-130 students from up and down the Eastern seaboard, she said.

The young people represent a wide range of religious denominations, Young said.

Weekend retreats — with titles like "Girls and God" and "Guys and God" — are the next step in the program. Students are recommended for these by pastors or teachers, Young said. There's also a retreat for older teens and college students on "Vocational Discernment," where they try to determine how best to use their God-given talents, she said.

This part of the program, also held during the school year, "tends to be a little more local," Young said, attracting youth from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia.

A one-week leadership academy and a two-week summer "global experience" make up the third and most intensive level of Leadership Now: Spiritual Formation.

Up to 26 students attend the academy, in which they tackle issues of theology and social justice, Young said.

Graduates of the academy can then go on the annual sojourn abroad. The goal "is to get the students to think cross-culturally," she said.

Last year, the program visited Thailand to study Buddhist-Christian dialogue, Young said. Students also have traveled to South Africa and Lesotho to delve into the AIDS pandemic and peacemaking, she said.

In 2010, the group will head to India to look at globalization and economic development, Young said.

North Carolina native Cameron Barr, a student at Vanderbilt University Divinity School, is a Leadership Now alumnus. After traveling to South Africa and Lesotho with the group in 2005, he stayed in touch with the head of a Lesotho orphanage once he got back.

Barr later returned to Lesotho and also helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for the orphanage, which cares for many neglected children who are HIV-positive.

He had nothing but praise for Leadership Now. "It had a bigger influence on my life and my faith" than anything else, Barr said.

"What they do really, really well is start difficult and mature theological conversations with young people," he said, inspiring them to make a difference in the world.