Joy in Giving

A DONOR’S story

For more than two decades, the Reverend Dr. Andrew Stirling, an alumnus and Lifetime Fellow of Acadia Divinity College (ADC), has challenged and inspired others with his Gospelcentred sermons. In addition to his excellence in preaching, Dr. Stirling is widely recognized for his academic contributions to the field of homiletics.

The Reverend Dr. Connie Phillipson, an Anglican priest, had the opportunity to hear Dr. Stirling preach while she was a graduate student in Toronto. Remembering that first evening sermon at St. Paul’s Bloor Street Church she said, “It was a phenomenal sermon. I felt compelled to introduce myself to him and to learn how he prepared. That interaction began a friendship that we’ve kept up all these years,” Connie says. “He became an important mentor in my life.”

That first meeting with Dr. Stirling led Connie to ADC. “I wanted to find a school that offers a high quality, ecumenical program. Knowing that both Dr. Stirling and Dr. Peter Holmes of Yorkminster Park Baptist Church had earned their Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degrees at ADC with a focus on preaching influenced my decision to go to Nova Scotia to study.” Connie was placed under the supervision of the Reverend Dr. Stuart Blythe, the John Gladstone Professor of Preaching and Worship and Director of Doctoral Studies at ADC. “I quickly grew to have a deep appreciation and respect for Stuart,” Connie says. “Not only is he a gifted preacher and teacher, but he was also a patient and gracious supervisor.”

The impact of her relationship with Dr. Stirling and experience at ADC led Connie to establish The Reverend Dr. Andrew Stirling Endowment for Homiletics Education. Named in honour of her good friend and mentor, and with deep appreciation for Dr. Stuart Blythe and the ADC community, the endowment supports further homiletical training. “I wanted to do something to show my gratitude to both Dr. Stirling and Dr. Blythe,” Connie said of the gift.

Connie hopes to help preachers better understand the value and techniques of good rhetoric in preaching. She sees the generous gift that established the endowment as a starting point, and she invites others to consider contributing. “Giving to this endowment is a wonderful way to honour Dr. Stirling and support students as they learn to preach biblical sermons with courage and confidence.” Connie adds, “As Christians, we have a responsibility to support efforts that uphold the centrality of the Bible in our world today. Preaching persuasively is one of the ways that we can tangibly do this.”

Acadia Divinity College celebrates our donors with gratitude for their gifts that support and encourage our faculty, staff, and students. We value our partnerships as together we equip Christians to serve the mission of God in church and world with transformative impact. From scholarships to operating endowments, every gift advances the work of ADC and makes a difference in the lives of our students, and those they serve.

“I am grateful for the degree that I earned and the research I was able to produce during my time at Acadia Divinity College. I have learned how to persevere, to pray, to trust and that this journey of faith cannot be done alone. We require fellow travellers and mentors. I am grateful to have found these people at ADC.”

~ Kallie Hutton, Master of Arts (Theology) graduate, Recipient of the

Silver Medal in Theology 2023

Supporting Our Mission

NEW ENDOWED FUNDS established

Acadia Divinity College is profoundly grateful for the ongoing support of our donors who have established endowed funds. Endowments provide vital resources that support the mission of ADC year after year.

Donors who have created endowed funds have become integral partners in our ministry, leaving an indelible mark on the future of the church. Their contributions have sustained the work of ADC and have also served as an invitation to others to join them in their generosity.

Newly Established Endowed Funds

Beatty Ryckman Operating Endowment

• William and Virginia Leach Chair of Pastoral Psychology

• Reverend Dr. William and Dr. Pearleen Oliver Chair of Community Leadership and Social Justice

Reverend Dr. Andrew Stirling Endowment for Homiletics Education

We celebrate the extraordinary impact of these endowed funds and the donors who have made them possible.

To explore endowed funds, visit ACADIADIV.CA/ENDOWED-FUNDS

“Mental health is an important part of spiritual formation. The new Leach Chair of Pastoral Psychology is an exciting step forward for investing in the well-being of our leaders and congregations. It will help inform and equip for our healing mission in the world. Dr. Glen Berry is an excellent choice. He brings a keen interest and a wealth of expertise and experience. Congratulations ADC & Dr. Berry!”

~ Dr. Cheryl Ann Beals, (DMin ’16) Director, Sozo Centre for Soul Care Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada