RICHMOND (ABP) — Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond could receive up to $1 million in new giving by the end of next April due to an anonymous donor's challenge to churches, seminary officials have announced.
The donor — apparently a seminary trustee — will match designated gifts from churches given from May 1 this year through April 30, 2009. Gifts that qualify for matching funds include donations from churches that contributed last year above and beyond their previous giving as well as 100 percent of gifts from churches that did not donate to the seminary within the prior 12 months.
“Recognizing the high priority BTSR gives to local church ministry, a donor has provided an incentive to nurture the relationship between local congregations and the seminary,” said BTSR President Ron Crawford, according to a seminary press release. “We expect to grow the list of churches that directly support BTSR from 68 to well over 250. Gifts from local congregations will secure the future of BTSR.”
More than 600 churches currently support the seminary through budget giving to the Baptist General Association of Virginia. Several dozen congregations contribute directly to BTSR through designated gifts.
As of May 10, churches had given $25,000 in gifts eligible for matching funds.
Westover Baptist Church in Richmond is among financially supportive congregations that already has contributed a new $1,000 gift.
“Our school is suffering a financial crunch. We've tightened our belt, reduced expenses and balanced our budget. One of our trustees has made a generous offer,” noted Cecil Sherman, interim pastor at Westover and former coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
BTSR graduate Donna Hopkins Britt led her congregation, Calvary Baptist Church in Roanoke to become a first-time contributor.
“This generous donor has challenged our church to consider the importance of theological education for Christianity's future, and then to take a bold step toward that future by making its first donation to the school,” she said.