 Institutional leaders today know the importance of a clear mission statement for their
institutions. Businesses, colleges, parachurch organizations, and churches must have
a mission statement, a vision statement, and a list of core values if they’re going to be
contemporary.
But long before the necessity of such practice was known, Ashley and Emma Johnson
knew this truth intuitively; they were far ahead of their times. You can not find a
clearer and more focused mission statement than this: “Open day and night to the
poor young man who desires above every other desire to preach the gospel of
Christ.” We know from their history that this was their polar star.
While the scope of the mission of Johnson has broadened throughout the years, this
original “mission statement” is still embedded within the current mission: “to educate
students for specialized Christian ministries with emphasis on the preaching ministry.”
We are proud of the ways that the College has grown to include several specialized
ministries. Resources have been wisely invested in these ministries at the
encouragement of alumni and supporters. However, we have not and will
not forget this central core of our mission.
Our next campaign, Above Every Other Desire, will focus upon that
core part of our mission—preaching. The goal is to raise $5 million
by February, 2010.
This campaign includes:
First - $2,000,000 for the Bob Russell Preaching Center
This preaching center, located in the center of campus, will provide a
marvelous resource for our preaching and Bible faculty, for our preaching
majors, and for alumni who want continued exposure to help with the
task of preaching.
Second - $1,000,000 for Preaching Scholarships
While all campaigns since 1990 have included a component dedicated to
scholarships, we continue that emphasis in this campaign, focusing especially
on preaching scholarships.
Third - $2,000,000 for the Gally Commons
The College has simply outgrown the current dining hall, having doubled in
enrollment over the last decade. This new facility, located across the pond from
the Phillips-Welshimer Building, was initiated by a lead gift from the Gally Trust
with the assistance of Attorney Paul Coleman, an alumnus of the school and legal
counsel for the Board of Trustees.
We launch this campaign spotlighting the core of our mission with the full
faith that you will embrace it warmly and enthusiastically.
Cordially,
Gary E. Weedman |
