Keep the Legacy Alive: How to Help Encourage Our Future Alumni
Do you remember when you were in seminary? Maybe some of you came here sacrificially, without much of a safety net. Those years of study and toil can be hard, and the financial impact of seminary can be discouraging to say the least.
But wasn’t it all worth it?
The quality education offered at Asbury Theological Seminary is second to none, and equips our alumni to serve the people of God with integrity and strength. The formation our students receive helps them be whole and well as they serve the mission field all over the world. Being able to come and study here is priceless.
And now, here we are at the beginning of another semester. New faces, fresh and ready to learn, are arriving on campus. These students will be tested in many ways. But, financial concerns should not prevent anyone from walking out the calling God has placed on their lives. When God calls us to a task, He always provides what we need to get it done. But, He does that through the generosity of his people.
If you remember your time at Asbury fondly and want others to have that same training before they go out into all the world to make disciples, you may be wondering how you can encourage our newest group of future alumni the same way you were (or wish you were) encouraged when you were here.
There are several ways you can be an encouragement to current students!
1) The first and best thing you can do is pray! Please pray fervently for our current students. You all know how much they need it. Warfare is never as intense as when we move in faith for Jesus.
2) Contribute to Asbury’s Scholarship Fund. You can do this by visiting our Hundredfold Campaign donation page online. In the “Designation” drop down menu, choose “Growing Scholarships.” You may also mail donations to us. Please include a note to tell us that you would like your donation to go toward scholarships. Our mailing address is:
Office of Alumni
Asbury Theological Seminary
204 N. Lexington Ave.
Wilmore, KY 40390-1199
3) Contribute to the Asbury Philippian Fund. The Philippian Fund exists to provide financial assistance to students experiencing unexpected or unusual hardship or loss. Requests may be made personally or on behalf of others to any Community Formation staff, who will channel the requests appropriately. Funds are not dispersed to pay normal household expenses or tuition. You can contribute to the Philippian Fund by mail to the same address above, or you can contact the Office of Community Formation at community.formation@asburyseminary.edu.
4) Remember the students you know! It can be daunting to come to a new place where you likely don’t know anyone. It takes even more guts to move like that for God. If you personally know a seminary student, keep up with them whether you think they want it or not. Send them notes of encouragement regularly. Call them on the phone. Send food. Amazon gift cards won’t hurt either; we all know how expensive textbooks are! You never know how they might be feeling, so if you feel especially burdened for them, call. You might just help them have the strength to keep running.
5) If you are an alumnus and you are local, let us know! If you’re interested in encouraging our students, let’s talk about ways we might accomplish that task. Email us for more information at alumni@asburyseminary.edu.
Did somebody do something out of their way to encourage you while you were here? Tell us about it in the comments!
A small United Methodist Church I had never visited, located over two hundred miles from my home in Michigan, sent me $50 each month. Every time that check arrived, I thanked God for them and for his provision through them. I also had a friend who prayed for me every day I was at Asbury. I won’t know until I see Jesus face to face all that her prayers accomplished for me. The Alumni Office, as well as the teaching staff, Admissions, the Registrars office, and other students did a great job of encouraging me. I will be forever grateful for my time at Asbury!
Hugs to you Janine!
I would like to know all of the UMC students who are attending from the North Georgia Annual Conference. I am an alumnus, an elder in NGUMC, and I am on the executive committee of our Wesleyan Renewal Movement. I would love for us to be able to send care packages to them.
A retired adult Sunday School class from my home church in Wisconsin faithfully sent me $100 every month I was at Asbury. Likewise, a small country UMC pastored by an Asbury Alum and friend in Wisconsin also sent us a check regularly. I and my wife and four sons appreciated that support financially and spiritually. Asbury’s student scholarship help also helped ease our burden for which I continue to give thanks.