RE: 2013Annual Report from Gardner-Webb University

TO:Dr. Larry Hovis

FROM:Dr. Frank Bonner

DATE:January 6, 2014

RE: 2013Annual Report from Gardner-Webb University

On behalf of the students, faculty, and staff at Gardner-Webb University, I am grateful for our Covenant Partnership with you and with the partner congregations of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina. Gardner-Webb Universitycontinues to have a strong testimony regarding missional collaboration, missional enhancement of congregations and CBFNC, expressions of mutual affirmation, and the use of financial contributions through the Mission Resource Plan (MRP). The purpose of this correspondence is to highlight updates and new developments in keeping with our Covenant Partnership.

Missional Collaboration

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the School of Divinity. Our express purpose is to prepare men and women for the ministries to which God has called them. We have 220 M.Div. and 30 D.Min. students (our largest enrollment in both programs). Over the past five years, 96% of our graduates (who were seeking a ministry position at the time of graduation) were serving in a ministry position. We value our relationship with the CBFNC and remain committed to preparing men and women for our churches.

Elizabeth Barnard, a student in our School of Divinity,worked with Rick Jordan in theministry area of Faith Formation. Elizabeth served on the planning teamand worked the events for Children’sMission Days. Elizabeth also attendedmonthly coordinator/staff meetings asan observer.

Fifty-three students and faculty/staff leaders participated in mission trips to North Carolina, Hawaii, Honduras, Brazil, and India, putting Gardner-Webb’s core values of faith, service, and leadership into action across the globe during scheduled University breaks. Two of these trips (Red Springs, NC and Hawaii) were in partnership with CBFNC ministry partner, North Carolina Baptist Men.

Gardner-Webb University is pleased to partner with CBF national and CBFNC in hosting one of the Congregational Internship Orientations, May 18-21, 2014. This will be the first of what we hope will be many years of hosting this event for students who are exploring a call to congregational ministry.

Zeke Stephenson, one of our undergraduate students, was part of a group of student-leaders who assisted Dr. Wanda Kidd in planning the Mid-Winter Collegiate Retreat at Camp Mundo Vista. Zeke is scheduled to graduate in December and has accepted a position with Passport, Inc., a CBF ministry partner.

Missional Enhancement of Congregations and CBFNC

Gardner-Webb’s 2013 Pastors’ School offered a three-day educational retreat for pastors and students of ministry. Dr. Guy Sayles, pastor of First Baptist Church of Asheville, NC and Dr. Mitch Simpson, pastor of University Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, NC served as guest keynote speakers. They addressed the theme, “Called… Troubled… Hopeful: Nourishing Ministry in the Local Church.”

Gardner-Webb University’s Pittman Center for Congregational Enrichment along with the Western North Carolina Network of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship sponsored a Spiritual Formation Conference at Mars Hill Baptist Church featuring Rev. Marjorie Thompson, acclaimed author and Spiritual Formationteacher. Rev. Thompson led two sessions: “Forgiven and Forgiving: Growinginto Freedom,” and “SabbathTime in a 24/7 World.”

The Pittman Center for Congregational Enrichment continues to offer educational and enrichment opportunities for both laity and clergy who are not enrolled as degree-seeking students in the School of Divinity. The Center's Lay Institute of Religion offers classes specially designed for laypersons which include courses in the Bible, theology, teacher training, deacon ministry, and church leadership, as well as courses in spirituality and health/wellness. Many CBFNC-related congregations served as host sites for these offerings in 2013.

The Center for Christian Ethics and Leadership, directed by School of Divinity assistant professor Dr. Lisa Allen, sponsored a free event on November 4 which was promoted within the community througharea churches and schools. “Parenting with No Regrets,” featured Robert Rogers’ compelling testimony of the tragic night he lost his wife of 11 years and all four children in a flash flood.

Expressions of Mutual Affirmation

Annually, Gardner-Webb’s School of Divinity holds Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina (CBFNC) Day to spotlight the organization’s relationship with the University. The event brings together CBFNC and national CBF leaders, CBF student scholars, GWU faculty and staff, and members of the faith community to worship, reflect, and plan for the future. This year, Dr. Harry Rowland, Director of Missional Congregations for national CBF, delivered the sermon for the chapel service. CBF student scholars also participated in leading worship.

Dr. Wanda Kidd, College Ministry Coordinator with CBFNC, represented Collegiate Congregational Internshipsand Student.Go at the annual Summer Missions Fair sponsored by Gardner-Webb University’s Office of Christian Life and Service.

Ka’thy Chappell, Leadership Development Coordinator with CBFNC, represented CBFNC at the School of Divinity’s New Student Orientation.

Use of Financial Contributions

Gardner-Webb University continues to be grateful for the financial support of Christian higher education provided by CBFNC through the budget and Mission Resource Plan (MRP). These funds have been used to meet a number of financial needs, most importantly, student scholarships. Significant scholarship assistance is provided for students engaged in graduate theological education and these students are designated as CBFNC scholars. Furthermore,Gardner-Webb University uses MRP and budget monies from CBFNC to award scholarships to students from churches affiliated with CBFNC.

Financial contributions also have been used to assist in funding a student ministries intern in the Office of Christian Life and Service. The intern is responsible for planning/leading a mission trip which partners with a strategic ministry of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Our student ministry also uses MRP funding to offset a portion of the cost for students attending the CBFNC Collegiate Mid-Winter Retreat.

Closing Remarks

Gardner-Webb University is pleased to affiliate on a mutually voluntary basis with Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina (CBFNC) for the advancement of our Lord’s Kingdom. Since its founding, Gardner-Webb has been a Baptist-related university that has affirmed historic Baptist values such as the freedom of individual conscience, the authority of Scripture, and the priesthood of every believer. As stated in our Covenant of Partnership, “we gladly embrace these common convictions shared by CBFNC whose mission includes ‘bringing Baptists together for Christ-centered ministry.’”