To God Be the Glory!
Friends,
We are giving God thanks and praise for the generosity of the trustees, alumni/ae, students, faculty, staff and friends of United.
Last January we announced a special Second Mile giving campaign to raise $1.2 million above our regular annual fund goal of $700,000 in order to end fiscal year 2016 in the black on June 30.
During our spring semester, 25 more students enrolled than we had anticipated, which generated additional income, and we reduced more staff positions, further cutting expenses. This meant our Second Mile giving goal was reduced to $1 million.
We are happy to announce that the generous donors who support God’s work through United have reached both goals. Over $700,000 has been given to the annual fund, and, as of today, $1 million has been given or pledged for our Second Mile campaign since January! We are especially thankful to Rick and Vicki James of Fort Wayne, IN, whose $500,000 gift launched our Second Mile giving campaign. All of our generous donors will be thanked in a future message. To God be the glory!
Furthermore, the Zimmerman Chapel project is underway. Former chair of United’s Board of Trustees, Mr. Richard Zimmerman left the Seminary a generous bequest of $500,000 to provide a permanent, worshipful chapel at United. We’ve been working with his wife of 61 years, Mrs. Nancy Zimmerman, to create this space in his memory and for God’s glory.
The new chapel will be in the area formerly occupied by the bookstore and will be completed this summer. On Tuesday, October 11, 2016, at 2 p.m., we will dedicate the Zimmerman Chapel to the glory of God at a Dedication Worship Service. All are invited. Former president Dr. Ed Zeiders will preach the dedication sermon, and we will recognize the long-time commitment and generosity of the Zimmerman family in supporting the education of the next generation of Christian pastors and leaders.
I have had two songs in my mind all week:
To God be the glory for the things He has done!
And the Doxology:
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
I hope you will praise God for all the blessings in your life this summer.
Grace and Peace,
Dr. Kent Millard
Interim President
United Theological Seminary