Announcing the 12th Disciple Challenge II!
We have quite the challenge before us, former students and friends of ULC! As I have shared with you for the last five years, the Texas District of The Lutheran Church―Missouri Synod is gradually phasing out all subsidies to Lutheran campus ministries across the state, including University Lutheran Chapel (ULC). The District’s annual stipend for our ministry will cease December, 31, 2011. In response, ULC began its Annual Fund in 2004, through which the Lord has richly blessed our ministry. While Annual Fund support will continue to be important in meeting this great challenge of becoming self supporting, there is another aspect that is crucial to the Chapel’s future. It is the ULC Endowment.
Established in 1993, the ULC Endowment held less than $10,000 when I became campus pastor in 2003, and it was providing less than $1,000 in annual funding for our ministry. What if this endowment income could be increased by 20, 30 or even 50 times? Not only could it provide annual operating support to ensure there would always be a ULC, but it also might allow our ministry to expand staff and services, not only to Lutheran students but also to those on campus who don't know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Is expanding an endowment the way to go? At least one other Lutheran campus ministry in Texas thinks so. In 2007 a generous Lutheran couple who are alumni of Texas Tech University provided a seed gift of $200,000 to establish a new endowment which provides operating support for the Lutheran campus ministry in Lubbock. In addition, the couple promised that if ministry alumni and supporters there could raise another $200,000 by December 31, 2009, they would match this on a "$1 for $2" basis, up to $100,000. This means that approximately $500,000 could be in this new endowment as 2010 begins. If this can be done in Lubbock, can’t the same thing be done at ULC in College Station? Or perhaps even something greater? I think so, given the long list of former students that have been blessed by our ministry in College Station.
As 2010 begins, University Lutheran Chapel announces the launch of the 12th Disciple Challenge II. Our goal is that by December 31, 2010, there will be $300,000 in the ULC Endowment. Assisting us in this effort is the Lutheran Foundation of Texas, which is the trustee of the ULC Endowment. Also, former ULC pastors Hugh Beck, Richard Manus and Larry Krueger have graciously agreed to serve as honorary chairs of this effort.
This effort is being called the 12th Disciple Challenge II because it follows in the footsteps of the 12th Disciple Challenge. That successful effort was conducted in 2000-01 to raise funds for a new sanctuary. We now enjoy that terrific facility, in the same great Northgate location. And now, we want to make sure the Chapel will always have what it needs to ensure that it remains a vibrant Lutheran campus mission at Texas A&M, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with Texas Aggies.
Some good news: over the last year and a half, during the “silent” portion of this effort, we have been blessed with several generous gifts from Chapel alumni, parents and friends. However, we are still seeking a major challenge grant! If you are the person to make such a challenge grant, please contact Lutheran Foundation CEO Larry Ohls at 800-880-3733 or larryo@lfot.org.
