Asbury Seminary Raises $3.3 Million from Challenge Gift

Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Ky., raised $1.8 million for $1.5 million challenge gift issued, encountering a record year in annual giving with more than $9.9 million total from all donation sources.

In November 2003, two anonymous donors agreed to match, dollar for dollar up to $1 million, donation raised between Dec. 1 2003, and June 30, 2004, by Seminary faculty, administration, staff, students, alumni, friends and current and former board members.

¡°We¡¯re deeply appreciative to nearly 3,500 people who stepped up to respond to the matching gift challenge.¡± Said Bill Johnson of Atlanta, chair of the Advancement Committee of the Seminary Board of Trustees.

The challenge is the largest match gift Asbury Seminary has received in its lifetime and added to $9.9 million giving total from all donations sources.

Paul Baddour, vice president of seminary advancement said, ¡°We¡¯re thankful to God and our partners.¡± He added, ¡°This gift-dollar match will impact nearly all we do as an institution.¡±

¡°I¡¯m very excited about the foundation that has been laid with our new advancement effort,¡± President Jeffrey E. Green commented about his enthusiasm about the days ahead for the Seminary. ¡°It has taken the work of many people to make this dream a reality. We look forward to working in the future with all of our partners who believe in our mission.¡±