Western Baptist Seminary Moves Forward to a Brighter Future
Donor support helped the Western Baptist Seminary complete phase-one of renovations “debt-free” in the William Koehn and Martha Myers Center for World Evangelism, the 35,000-square-foot former retreat center named after the Midwestern alumni and missionaries who were martyred in Yemen in 2002.
At the spring meeting of the Board of Trustees at Midwestern Theological Seminary, four rooms in the William Koehn and Martha Center for World Evangelism were dedicated with ribbon-cutting ceremonies, marking the completion of the first phase of building renovation.
In addition to the dedication of the rooms, the seminary was presented with a gift of $100,000 from the Missiouri Baptist Convention toward its new undergraduate program, the Fusion program, which combines "classroom training with practical missions work around the globe."
“This dedication is an excellent demonstration of how Midwestern, through the faithful support of our friends, is moving forward to train the next generation of pastors and missionaries,” Midwestern Seminary President Dr. R. Philip Roberts said. “The vision of the future at Midwestern is bright and we thank the Lord for His provision.”
The four rooms dedicated are the Kelley Fireside Room, Downing Conference Room, C.W. Scudder Room, and the Board of Trustees Room.
These rooms have just finished with the remodeling and were dedicated at the meeting, Cory Miller, the Communications Director at Midwestern, told the Christian Post. He also said that a bigger dedication is yet to come - when the rest of the rooms are fully renovated.
Of the large $100,000 donation, Roberts said, “We are thankful for the generosity of the Missouri Baptist Convention. Their investment here will insure that the work of the Gospel – evangelism, missions and church planting – will be increased in Missouri and across the heartland. We are astounded at the MBC’s encouragement knowing that they already generously support the Cooperative Program and its worldwide mission.”
In other business, the Board voted March 14 to authorize Roberts to execute a land sale of up to 50 acres of the seminary’s campus. The resolution includes two parcels of land – one consisting of 33 acres on the seminary’s southeast corner and another of up to 17 acres of woodland on the east side.
The final deal could provide between $8-9 million in revenue. According to Roberts, proceeds from the sales would not go toward the seminary’s cash-flow, but would provide money for long-term investments, upgrades for campus facilities and support of the seminary’s endowment.
“This decision by our trustees will provide a world of resource for Midwestern to strengthen its position to be a lighthouse for the Lord in the Midwest and around the world,” Roberts said.
Also, the seminary’s Institutional Advancement office made an announcement of the total amount of gifts presented to the school in the year 2004: $564,309.
Other businesses of the meeting included the trustees' budget confirmation for the 2005-06 year, adjustments in the tution rates, the affirming of the election of professors, contract renewal, and announcement for new appointments for Midwestern faculty.
The next board meeting is slated to be held Oct. 10-11, 2005 in Kansas City, Mo.
