welch college
The mission of Welch College is to educate leaders to serve Christ, His Church, and His world through biblical thought and life.
Introduction S
ince 1942, the mission of Welch College has been to edCollege is more than a classroom experience. It’s about develucate leaders to serve Christ, His Church, and His world oping Christ-like relationships, and graduating with a clear through biblical thought and life. That vision started the first understanding that all of life is Christian ministry. day the college opened its doors to eight students on Richland Students receive a quality education in more than 40 bibAvenue in Nashville, Tennessee. lically based academic programs that give them a practical Today, Welch enrolls approximately 360 students annually edge in their careers and ministries and a solid foundation from 22 states and several foreign counfor graduate school. From pastors and tries. Students enjoy a distinctly Chrismissionaries to coaches, from teachers to The college’s high academic tian education with a strong core of biblimusicians, from counselors and health/ cal and theological studies at the heart of science professionals to pre-law and milstandards and Christian every educational program. itary, Welch College graduates are in deworldview emphasize a Regionally and nationally accredited, mand wherever they go. the college’s high academic standards Alumni of the college serve Christ commitment to Christian and Christian worldview emphasize a around the world. Since 1942, some life, leadership, and service. commitment to Christian life, leader6,000 students have attended, with alship, and service. As students prepare for most 50 percent serving in some form their lives and callings, they experience of full-time, church-related ministry. first-hand what the college means by “a Christian community The legacy of the college is one of dedication and service of faith and learning.” to God. It is on this foundation that we enter a new era While students encounter rigorous academics, life at Welch for Welch College as we continue Building on the Legacy. Building on the Legacy
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Welch College
Mission Fulfillment T
he highly respected Welch College faculty take a sincere and personal interest in the lives and spiritual well-being of each student, both in the classroom and in the community where the principles they learn are applied. They combine knowledge with experience while cultivating biblical truth in the hearts of students. The college’s curriculum is structured so that students engage in weekly Christian Service activities that encourage their spiritual growth as they are equipped to live and work for Christ. Daily chapel services keep students focused on the importance of maintaining a personal relationship with God. Students tutor international students who want to learn English. They go on disaster relief trips to help families displaced by hurricanes and floods. They lead Bible clubs for children and minister to the homeless at the Nashville Rescue Mission. They visit nursing homes, serve in local churches, participate in preaching trips and youth rallies, and minister at every level, locally, nationally, and internationally. They go where the needs are. Welch offers a variety of extra-curricular activities, from social and cultural events such as musical and dramatic presentations to intramural and intercollegiate Students visit nursing athletics. homes, serve in local The need for Christian leaders is greater churches, participate in now than ever. Welch preaching trips and youth College is committed to preparing such leadrallies, and minister at ers by guiding students every level, locally, natoward spiritual and intellectual maturity, tionally, and and by giving them a internationally. practical understand-
ing that makes them effective Christian witnesses anywhere, anytime. This commitment demands that we honor and embrace the foundational principles of our past as we face the challenges and opportunities of the future—always striving to continue Building on the Legacy. The lack of proper facilities and space for the college’s educational programs and associated activities has become a major obstacle. Many of the older campus buildings served the college well for more than 50 years, but an expanding curriculum has created a shortage of space for educational programs and related activities. This has become a matter of great concern. In response to these needs, the college sold the current campus on West End Avenue in June 2015 and began construction of a new campus in Gallatin, Tennessee. The college is leasing back a portion of the West End campus for operations while the new campus is being built. Opening for the new campus is planned for January 2017.
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Welch College
The New Campus T
he first phase of the new 66-acre campus will provide a technologically up-to-date atmosphere in which students can live and study, campus-wide Internet access, residence halls with generous living spaces for students, a library to house more than 70,000 volumes with room and plans to expand, spacious classrooms and laboratories, a modern dining hall, student center, athletic center, and more. The new campus will provide for increased enrollment, meet the needs of the physically challenged, and provide space for student recreation and athletic activities—all of which are important elements for a complete campus experience.
Building on the Legacy
The campus will provide a technologically up-to-date atmosphere in which students can live and study‌. 5
The new campus will have the look and feel of a traditional college campus, with multi-story red-brick buildings accented by white columns and other classical architectural details. This historic ambience will provide a beautiful setting in which students can learn, live, and grow into the Christian leaders of tomorrow. 6
Welch College
The Building on the Legacy Campaign T
he Building on the Legacy campaign will enable the college to build the new campus in Gallatin with no additional long-term debt above what it had when the West End campus sold.* It is estimated that project completion will cost approximately $21.1 million. When the campus was sold in June 2015, the college paid off its existing long-term debt of $4.2 million. Upon project completion, this debt will be reassumed. This means $6.5 million must be raised to build the campus with no additional debt. $21.1 million – Total project cost $10.4 million Campus sale and reserves after paying off long-term debt
$6.5 million Cash gifts and Gifts-in-kind from the Building on the Legacy campaign
$4.2 million Total long-term debt after the Building on the Legacy campaign
The generous gifts made by donors to the Building on the Legacy campaign will make it possible for Welch College to fund the relocation of the entire campus with no additional long-term debt. Foundational Principles of the Campaign Building on the Legacy is built on three biblical stewardship principles. First, God is the owner of all (Psalm 24:1). Often, however, Christians fail to recognize His ownership—it becomes my house, my car, my stock portfolio, my money. According to surveys, the average Christian family gives only 3-4% of their annual income to charitable causes. Second, if we recognize that God is the owner of all, then it follows that we own nothing. We are simply stewards over different portions of God’s wealth. Stewards, as explained in the story of
the talents in Matthew 25:14-30, make decisions to benefit the Master, not the steward. Thus, every financial decision we make is a stewardship decision. As His steward, we decide how much of His money we invest in causes to advance the Kingdom and how much we spend on ourselves. The third point is that we are blessed so we can bless others. The Lord has entrusted us with His wealth so that we can invest in reaching the lost with the Gospel, teaching God’s people to grow and mature, and educating future leaders to change the world. That’s what Building on the Legacy is all about. We can all be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime moment. If each one does what he or she is capable of doing, God will supply the need, even beyond our ability. “Give, and it will be If each one does what given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, he or she is capable and running over will be put of doing, God will into your bosom. For with the supply the need, even same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” beyond our ability. (Luke 6:38).
*This totals approximately $4.2 million. Approximately $2.3 million of this long-term debt was assumed because of the pension crisis during the recession that followed 2008. The other $1.9 million was a combination of capital improvements made to the West End campus and the purchase of the Gallatin property.
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Methodology of the Campaign P
resident Matt Pinson and the Office of Institutional Advancement will provide the day-to-day oversight of the campaign, assisted by Dr. Melvin Worthington who serves as national campaign chairman. The $6.5 million goal The five year has been divided among various constituents of commitment the college: One comopportunity allows for ponent of the campaign appeals to individual donors to plan their donors and a second to giving over time. local churches. There is a third component for
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gifts-in-kind (gifts of materials and volunteer labor for construction). The five-year commitment opportunity allows donors (including individuals, churches, organizations, and foundations) to plan their giving over time, which often allows for larger gifts. In addition to cash and gifts-in-kind, gifts of stock, real estate, and personal property will be accepted. Estate gifts are always appreciated and will be included in a special campaign division, above the $6.5 million goal. With excitement about the future, a shared vision, a strong commitment, and a deliberate plan, the leadership of Welch College encourages you to participate in this campaign and rejoice together as we continue Building on the Legacy.
Welch College
The Building on the Legacy campaign is designed to maximize the potential of Welch College to fulfill its mission in educating the leaders of tomorrow. Of course, only time will reveal the countless number of lives that will be impacted for Christ through this campaign and the college’s ministry. But I truly believe that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make an investment that will continue to grow in value as more lives are touched for Christ. I can think of no better way to be a steward for the kingdom. I encourage you to participate in this campaign and partner with us as we continue Building on the Legacy. Matt Pinson Welch College President
The college came into existence 73 years ago to provide Christian leaders for Free Will Baptist churches. Welch College has done that and done it well, but a growing denomination and advances in technology now demand a larger campus that’s equipped to meet the needs of our time. I urge you to give generously and be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Melvin Worthington National Campaign Chairman
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#OnTheMove BuildingontheLegacy.com
3606 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37205 welch.edu 1.888.97.WELCH
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