Religions Around The World

In the early morning hours, monks can be seen walking on their alms round in Kanchanaburi, Thailand
Showing humility and detachment from worldly goods, the monk walks slowly and only stops if he is called. Standing quietly, with his bowl open, the local Buddhists give him rice, or flowers, or an envelope containing money.  In return, the monks bless the local Buddhists and wish them a long and fruitful life.
Christians Celebrate Good Friday
Enacting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in St. Mary's Church in Secunderabad, India. Only 2.3% of India's population is Christian. 
Ancient interior mosaic in the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora
The Church of the Holy Saviour in Istanbul, Turkey is a medieval Byzantine Greek Orthodox church.
Dome of the Rock located in the Old City of Jerusalem
The site's great significance for Muslims derives from traditions connecting it to the creation of the world and to the belief that the Prophet Muhammad's Night Journey to heaven started from the rock at the center of the structure.
Holi Festival in Mathura, India
Holi is a Hindu festival that marks the end of winter. Also known as the “festival of colors”,  Holi is primarily observed in South Asia but has spread across the world in celebration of love and the changing of the seasons.
Jewish father and daughter pray at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, Israel.
Known in Hebrew as the Western Wall, it is one of the holiest sites in the world. The description, "place of weeping", originated from the Jewish practice of mourning the destruction of the Temple and praying for its rebuilding at the site of the Western Wall.
People praying in Mengjia Longshan Temple in Taipei, Taiwan
The temple is dedicated to both Taoism and Buddhism.
People praying in the Grand Mosque in Ulu Cami
This is the most important mosque in Bursa, Turkey and a landmark of early Ottoman architecture built in 1399.
Savior Transfiguration Cathedral of the Savior Monastery of St. Euthymius
Located in Suzdal, Russia, this is a church rite of sanctification of apples and grapes in honor of the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
Fushimi Inari Shrine is located in Kyoto, Japan
It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. Fushimi Inari is the most important Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice.
Ladles at the purification fountain in the Hakone Shrine
Located in Hakone, Japan, this shrine is a Japanese Shinto shrine.  At the purification fountain, ritual washings are performed by individuals when they visit a shrine. This ritual symbolizes the inner purity necessary for a truly human and spiritual life.
Hanging Gardens of Haifa are garden terraces around the Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel
They are one of the most visited tourist attractions in Israel. The Shrine of the Báb is where the remains of the Báb, founder of the Bábí Faith and forerunner of Bahá'u'lláh in the Bahá'í Faith, have been buried; it is considered to be the second holiest place on Earth for Bahá'ís.
Pilgrims praying at the Pool of the Nectar of Immortality and Golden Temple
Located in Amritsar, India, the Golden Temple is one of the most revered spiritual sites of Sikhism. It is a place of worship for men and women from all walks of life and all religions to worship God equally. Over 100,000 people visit the shrine daily.
Entrance gateway of Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple Kowloon
Located in Hong Kong, China, the temple is dedicated to Wong Tai Sin, or the Great Immortal Wong. The Taoist temple is famed for the many prayers answered: "What you request is what you get" via a practice called kau cim.
Christian women worship at a church in Bois Neus, Haiti.
Haiti's population is 94.8 percent Christian, primarily Catholic. This makes them one of the most heavily Christian countries in the world.

World Religions News

The Academy for Spiritual Formation announces matching grant opportunity to support spiritual leaders

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Academy for Spiritual Formation, a ministry of The Upper Room, is offering a matching grant opportunity designed to help churches, denominational bodies, and Christian organizations invest in the spiritual formation of leaders within their communities. 

Through the Encouraging Spiritual Leaders matching grant program, participating institutions can receive matching funds from The Academy of up to $5,000 total to support individuals attending a Two-Year Academy for Spiritual Formation. The next Two-Year Academy, #44, begins October 26, 2026, at Camp McDowell Retreat Center in Nauvoo, Alabama.  

The program is intended to make the transformational Two-Year Academy experience more accessible to clergy and lay leaders seeking deeper grounding for ministry, leadership, and faithful living. 

“Many spiritual leaders are carrying tremendous responsibility while longing for deeper renewal and sustenance,” said Johnny Sears, Director of The Academy for Spiritual Formation. “This matching grant is one way we can partner with churches and institutions to invest in leaders who are seeking a more rooted, contemplative, and courageous way of living and serving.” 

Since 1983, The Academy for Spiritual Formation has guided thousands of participants through an immersive rhythm of worship, silence, learning, covenant community, and spiritual practice. The Two-Year Academy gathers participants for eight five-day retreats over the course of two years, offering a curriculum centered on Christian spiritual formation and faithful engagement with the world.  

An independent research study funded by Lilly Endowment affirmed The Academy’s long-term impact, noting participants experienced a deeper relationship with God, stronger practices of self- and soul-care, and renewed creativity and freedom in ministry.  

Through the Encouraging Spiritual Leaders matching grant program, The Academy and The Upper Room will match institutional funding up to $1,000 per participant, with a maximum of $5,000 per institution. Participating organizations are encouraged to identify and directly invite individuals who would benefit most from the experience and who can carry that formation back into their communities. 

Two-Year Academy #44 will take place entirely at Camp McDowell Retreat & Conference Center in Nauvoo, Alabama. Additional information about the program, session dates, and application details can be found at upperroom.org/academy/retreats/two-year-44

Organizations interested in participating in the Encouraging Spiritual Leaders Matching Grant Program can contact The Academy office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 615-340-7233.  

More information about The Academy, including the dates for all eight sessions, is available on our website. Copies of our brochure are available online or upon request from our office. A media kit with downloadable graphics and a letter to share with denominational leaders is also available for those interested in helping spread the invitation. 

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About The Academy for Spiritual Formation 
The Academy for Spiritual Formation is a ministry of The Upper Room dedicated to cultivating communities of prayer, learning, silence, and spiritual practice that nurture compassionate, Christ-centered leadership for the church and the world. Since 1983, The Academy has offered transformational experiences for clergy and laity seeking deeper spiritual grounding and faithful engagement with the world. 

About The Upper Room 
The Upper Room is a global ministry dedicated to supporting the spiritual formation of Christians seeking to know and experience God more fully. From its beginnings as a daily devotional guide, The Upper Room has grown to include publications, programs, prayer support, and other resources to help believers of all ages and denominations move to a deeper level of faith and service. The Upper Room is a part of Discipleship Ministries. Visit UpperRoom.org to learn more. 

Contact:
Johnny Sears
The Academy for Spiritual Formation
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RNS or Religion News Foundation.

Original Source:

https://religionnews.com/2026/05/21/the-academy-for-spiritual-formation-announces-matching-grant-opportunity-to-support-spiritual-leaders/