SHAWNEE, Kan. (ABP) — Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Shawnee, Kan., announced Nov. 8 two foundation gifts totaling $1.7 million.
The Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation pledged $1.1 million for general expenses, while an unnamed Kansas City foundation awarded $600,000 for a new master-of-divinity program aimed at attracting younger students.
Launched last fall, the CREATE master-of-divinity program provides full-tuition scholarships for selected students interested in creative and marketplace-friendly ministries grounded in solid theological education.
The Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation is a Houston-based philanthropic organization started in 1995 by the late John Baugh, founder of Sysco Cooperation. It provides grants to a number of moderate Baptist organizations including Associated Baptist Press.
In 2009 the Baugh Foundation pledged $2 million toward an $8 million Central Seminary capital campaign called "Cultivating Excellence." The gift earned naming rights for a new chapel on a campus to which the seminary relocated in a series of cost-cutting measures in 2006.
John Gravley, the seminary's vice president for institutional advancement, called the newest grants "a vote of confidence" for Central's mission and "a testament to the seminary's faithfulness" to the foundations high expectations and vision for theological education.
Founded in 1901, Central Seminary is aligned with both American Baptist Churches USA and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
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Bob Allen is senior writer for Associated Baptist Press.
Previous ABP stories:
Under Molly Marshall's presidency, Central Seminary sees turnaround (12/9/2009)
Gift of $2 million to fund new chapel on Central Seminary campus (3/16/2009)
Central Seminary launches capital campaign (11/24/2008)
Central Seminary picks suburban site for money-saving campus relocation (5/18/2006)
Central Seminary announces plans to find new campus (2/23/2006)