Third Third Institute

Our Vision

We envision a world in which people flourish throughout the third third of life, living with purpose and joy as they contribute to the flourishing of others.

Our Mission

We inspire and equip people to flourish in the third third of life, living with purpose and joy as they contribute to the flourishing of others.

Our Approach

Our work is grounded in the wisdom of Scripture and informed by the insights of science. Through resources, teaching, gatherings, coaching, and partnerships, we help people in the third third live out the vision of flourishing and we equip churches to help their people flourish.

Overview of the Third Third Institute

The Third Third Institute is a Christian nonprofit organization that inspires and equips people to flourish in the third third of life, living with purpose and joy as they contribute to the flourishing of others. The work of the Institute, including resources, teaching, gatherings, and coaching, is grounded in the wisdom of Scripture and informed by the insights of science. The Institute works in partnership with individual churches, denominations, seminaries, senior living communities, and other organizations committed to the flourishing of older adults.

The need for this work has never been greater. In 2026, millions of people are living decades longer than the traditional retirement age, years that can be full, fruitful, and consequential. Yet our culture, and even our churches, offer an impoverished vision for the third third of life, too often focusing on what people retire from rather than what they can retire to: a fruitful season of continued growth, purpose, and contribution. The Institute offers a new vision and new narratives for older adulthood, translating biblical wisdom and scientific insights into practical resources and experiences that help people flourish.

This work has already begun. Over the past seven years, the Third Third Initiative of the Max De Pree Center for Leadership at Fuller Seminary has borne encouraging fruit; many people have testified that its resources and experiences for older adults have helped them live with new purpose and joy. The Third ThirdInstitute builds on this foundation, expanding the work to reach many more people and serve many more communities, churches, and organizations.