There was a vote: it was unanimous - Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation
The Oklahoma Conference has an incredible opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people for generations to come. Our church needs to cultivate pastors now to fortify the future of the Oklahoma Conference.
If someone in your congregation felt the calling to become a pastor in an Oklahoma United Methodist Church but was discouraged by the financial commitment, would you want to help that person succeed?
Thanks to the generosity of two of our Foundation trustees, the Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation can offer a 2-for-1 match for every gift to the Oklahoma United Methodist Pastor Education Fund. We have until December 31, 2014, to secure a total match of $2 million. Every dollar given becomes $3.
The First United Methodist Church of Alva gave $50,000 to the Pastor Education Fund (PEF). Edward Sutter is an attorney, rancher, and farmer. He is also a Foundation trustee.
“We have approximately 200 in attendance each Sunday morning. We had a meeting in the sanctuary and talked about how much money should we give, what is a fair amount, what would be right. Two figures were thrown out – $25,000 and $50,000. We decided to reflect upon that for about a week and we’d come back and make a decision. About a week later, we met again in the sanctuary. We voted and it was unanimous. Our church wanted to give $50,000 to the PEF.”
The church’s sacrificial gift of $50,000 will result in $150,000 toward the goal of providing scholarships to seminary for bright and talented Oklahoma clergy candidates.
To obtain a Master of Divinity degree in The United Methodist Church, a candidate must complete 90 hours of theological education in additional to the undergraduate degree. Often clergy are graduating with substantial student loan debt! It is very difficult for a young pastor to raise a family and deal with debt from seminary. The Pastor Education Fund will eliminate the need for debt.
Please prayerfully consider how you can support this important effort and help the Foundation reach the $3 million goal.
You may your check to:
The Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation
4201 N Classen Blvd • Oklahoma City, OK 73118
800-259-6863 • www.okumf.org
For more information about the Pastor Education Fund, go to www.okumf.org/pef or call 800-259-6863