Speakers: Caitlin Ware . Bonnie MacDonald. Michael Rexroad. Robert Dean Cole
Bonnie MacDonald: in all kinds of ways. One of my favorite things to talk about is the way that our, our West Virginia Conference partners with The Foundation to provide financial support for those pursuing
Bonnie MacDonald: theological education, especially our seminary students.
Michael Rexroad: Hello, I'm Michael Rexroad. I'm the pastor at First United Methodist Church in Princeton, West Virginia.
Michael Rexroad: I also have received many scholarships over the years during my course of study at Asbury Theological Seminary. I was the first recipient of the John and Peggy Mendez memorial scholarship and what a blessing it was to find out that when I was appointed to Princeton, that John Mendez had been the pastor here for many years and to be the recipient of that scholarship was such a blessing. Along with that I received three different scholarships. One in 2017 and one in 2019 and one in 2020 from the United Methodist Layman's trust fund. And between the Mendez scholarship and the layman's trust fund, the United Methodist Foundation provided over $12,000 towards my education at Asbury Theological Seminary.
Robert Dean Cole: Howdy Friends, Dean Cole here!
Robert Dean Cole: I've known since 1979 that I was supposed to go to seminary. But for myriad reasons, I didn't have the opportunity to go until 2020 at the age of 59. At my age, I told the Lord, I didn't wanna go into debt to attend seminary. And long story short, God provided everything I needed so that I could go to seminary without having to borrow any money. Not one penny. Thanks be to God.
Robert Dean Cole: Student scholarship from The Foundation is one of the most notable ways I was able to finance my seminary education without borrowing any money. My story is a testament to the truth that when God calls he also equips and provides
Caitlin Ware : Thank you for making seminary possible so I can pursue ordination as an elder in the West Virginia Annual Conference.
Bonnie MacDonald: Every West Virginia Conference student pursuing seminary has the opportunity to graduate debt-free. That is something for us to celebrate. It's unique among other Annual Conferences. And I'm so grateful that the staff and board members of The Foundation have made this a priority in their ministry.
