Dear Larry and Friends at CBF-NC:

It is a pleasure to say thank you to CBF-NC for its support of Wake Forest University in 2013.

A highlight of 2013 partnership between CBF-NC and Wake Forest University School of Divinity was the Elevating Preaching Conference. This conference, which took place on September 23, 2013, brought over 300 people to Wait Chapel to listen to and learn from nationally renowned preachers Tom Long, Anna Carter Florence, and Luke Powery. According to conference participants, the day was a huge success and that success would not have been possible without the partnership between CBF-NC and Wake Forest. There was a financial aspect to the partnership, as both of us contributed financially toward conference costs and all revenue after expenses went to CBF-NC to be used toward the 2014 Elevating Preaching Conference. But equally important was the ability to work together on a shared project that enhanced the vibrancy of church life in our region.

CBF-NC financial support also nurtured School of Divinity students in essential ways in 2013.

Direct scholarship support—whether through the CBFNC scholarship or more general support of the School of Divinity annual fund—enables gifted and called students to pursue their ministerial vocations without the anxiety about financial debt.

The CBFNC Scholarship recipients at Wake Forest included:

  1. Larke Griffin (1st year, MDiv)
  2. Melissa Kessler (3rd year, MDiv)
  3. Rachel Revelle (1st year, MDiv)
  4. Nicolas Stewart (2nd year, MDiv)
  5. Alyssa Szymanski (1st year, MDiv)

Additionally, a number of CBF students are supported through the generous support provided directly to Wake Forest University School of Divinity annual fund. These students included:

  1. Sara Bumgarner
  2. John-Mark Brown
  3. Kevin Perry Dixon
  4. Andrew Gardner
  5. Anna Holladay
  6. Ashton Murray
  7. Daniel Potter
  8. Abigail Pratt
  9. Adam Ridenour
  10. Katie Schlimmer

CBFNC—its leaders and congregations--also provides support for the professional formation of School of Divinity students. In 2013 CBFNC staff members participated in our Pathways in Ministry program, advising students on how to navigate the ordination process. CBFNC financial officer, Jim Hylton, conducted a financial realism seminar for Wake Forest School of Divinity students (April 24, 2013). Both CBFNC and CBF National staff were present at the School of Divinity for CBF Day (October 29, 2013) to introduce our students to the many resources CBF offers them as part of their ministerial formation.

CBFNC congregations also served as ministry internship sites for many of our students. Some of the CBF congregations where Wake Forest School of Divinity students interned in 2013 included: Wake Forest Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, Kernersville, VIA Faith Community, Peace Haven Baptist Church, Knollwood Baptist Church, Ardmore Baptist Church, and Grace Baptist Church (Statesville). In addition, one student did a ministry internship at the CBFNC.

CBF-NC support is a vital part of our ability to fulfill our educational mission to educate religious leaders for the 21st century.

Sincerely,

Gail R. O’Day

Dean and Professor of New Testament and Preaching

Wake Forest University School of Divinity