The Charles E. Benidt Foundation of Elm Grove, Wis., has committed a challenge grant of $4 million toward the “How Will They Hear?” campaign of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
The “advanced gifts” phase of the campaign began July 1, 2005. The “national public launch” of the campaign included a Sept. 7 worship service and dinner. The five-year effort, which runs through June 30, 2010, has received more than $53 million in gifts and commitments toward its $77 million goal.
The Benidt Foundation will provide a dollar-for-dollar match to contributions, up to a maximum of $3 million, plus an additional $1 million if the challenge grant is met.
Funds raised in the campaign will be divided three ways:
The campaign theme, “How Will They Hear?,” is based on Rom. 10:14-15: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.'”
The campaign “is about ministry,” according to Dr. Dale A. Meyer, the seminary’s president. “It is about making sure we have pastors, deaconesses, and other church professionals for the next generation and beyond. I believe God has blessed the seminary with many people who share a passion for seeing to it that God’s Word is proclaimed and people are served.”
For more information about the “How Will They Hear?” campaign, call the seminary at 800-822-5287 or visit http://howwilltheyhear.org or www.csl.edu.
Posted Oct. 16, 2008
