Taylor University has established a $4 million endowed chair for Christian Unity & Spiritual Theology.
On Nov. 18, Taylor University revealed the creation of the James F. and Leona N. Andrews Distinguished Endowed Chair for Christian Unity & Spiritual Theology, a landmark addition to its Biblical Studies, Christian Ministries, Intercultural Studies, and Philosophy Department.
This chair was made possible by a $2 million gift from Full Salvation Union, a Michigan-based Christian organization, and a matching $2 million donation from the Taylor University Academic LIFE Fund.
“Using our endowment spending policy of 5%, this fund will produce $200,000 a year to be used for this position and program,” Mike Falder, vice president for university advancement, said. “The value of an endowed fund like this is that revenue will be generated every year and the endowment will grow over time.”
These funds are invested with the rest of the university’s endowment, Falder said.
Hank Voss, associate professor of Christian Ministries and director of the Sacred Roots Project at Taylor University, has been appointed as the inaugural holder of the Andrews Chair.
“This is a humbling and awe-inspiring moment for me,” Voss said. “The Andrews Chair represents not just a culmination of years of work but also a vision for Christian unity and strategic mission that has been central to my life’s calling. I’m grateful to the Andrews family for their generational faithfulness and stewardship, which will have an enduring impact at Taylor and beyond.”
The endowed chair is the first in the Biblical Studies, Christian Ministries, Intercultural Studies and Philosophy department’s 177-year history and aims to enhance scripture engagement, spiritual mentoring and unity within the Christian church while addressing the unique challenges of rural and under-resourced congregations.
It will provide money to support students working and conducting research in areas related to Christian unity and spiritual theology, said Voss. It will further provide funding to support an annual lecture related to the chairs focus area called the Andrews’ lecture each fall.
The chair’s funding will also provide additional resources for student travel, academic programming and course releases for the chair’s holder.
Voss brings decades of ministry experience to the position, including his leadership in the Sacred Roots project.
Over the past six years, Sacred Roots has been pivotal in fostering Christian unity and supporting ministry leaders in diverse contexts, from urban centers to incarcerated communities. It engaged more than 500 Taylor students and more than 1,000 pastoral leaders globally, producing 54 presentations and 10 spiritual classics books.
The spiritual classics are books that were written by Christians starting from the days of the early church that have been chosen for distribution by the team for the betterment and strengthening of the present church.
The Andrews Chair will also serve as the foundation for the newly launched Rural Ministry Initiative, a program designed to support approximately 550 churches within a 30-mile radius of Taylor University. The initiative focuses on three key areas: relationships, resources and research.
Planned efforts include hosting an annual rural ministry conference, developing new spiritual classics for rural church leaders and conducting research on strategies to help these leaders and communities flourish.
Representatives of the Andrews family highlighted their deep commitment to Christian unity.
“This chair is about building bridges within the church,” David Andrews said. “For generations, we’ve seen the beauty and power of unity in Christ. Through this chair, we’re excited to see that vision grow and impact students, pastors and communities around the world.”
Full Salvation Union, founded in 1934, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting spirituality via educational, humanitarian and religious action. Its mission is interdenominational and nonsectarian, as stated on their website.
E.A. Andrews, the first general pastor, served from 1934 until his death in 1944. General pastor Leona Andrews succeeded James Andrews, who died in 2003.
Voss expressed his gratitude for the Andrews family’s legacy of faith.
“Their commitment to promoting Christian unity is inspiring,” he said. “This chair allows us to continue their vision and expand it in ways that impact future generations of students and church leaders.”
The endowed chair underscores Taylor University’s broader commitment to scripture engagement and spiritual mentoring. Voss plans to collaborate with the Center for Scripture Engagement to help students deepen their love for God’s word.
He also envisions fostering spiritual friendships through intentional initiatives, including student cohorts and retreats.
“If rural churches flourish, we believe rural communities will flourish,” Voss said. “This work complements the economic development efforts in our region while advancing the mission of Christ. The Andrews Chair offers a unique opportunity to bring together leaders from various sectors to address pressing challenges and strengthen the unity of the church.”
The Sacred Roots project has laid a strong foundation for these efforts, with various achievements over the past six years. Students have been actively involved in developing resources, designing discussion questions and contributing to the publication of spiritual classics. The project’s reach has extended globally, with spiritual classics translated into Spanish and Chinese, making them accessible to leaders in under-resourced communities.
Voss reflected on the journey that brought him to Taylor, recalling a challenging season when a prior ministry dream, the Tozer Project, was put on hold.
“Letting that dream die was hard,” he said. “But God’s timing is perfect, and I now see how He was preparing the way for something greater.”
Taylor University’s establishment of the Andrews Endowed Chair marks a significant milestone in its history, solidifying its position as a leader in equipping students and church leaders for impactful ministry. By advancing Christian unity and fostering flourishing in rural and global communities, the chair represents a step forward, fulfilling Taylor’s mission to serve Christ and His church.
“This chair is about much more than academia,” Voss said. “It’s about building relationships, mentoring the next generation of Christian leaders, and fostering a love for God’s word that transforms communities.”
