Matching Grant Challenge
1 Samuel 17 tells the story of a man named Goliath who challenged the Israelites to send one
person out to fight him. Of course you know the end of the story: the boy, David, accepted the
challenge and killed Goliath.
Challenges can be deadly! But they can also be fun, exciting, and rewarding. That brings me to
the purpose of this letter to our faithful Friends of the Seminary.
A number of anonymous supporters have generously offered a challenge to everyone else who
would be willing to support Concordia Lutheran Seminary. The individuals are challenging the
Seminary to raise $80,000 before May 15th! If we do, they will match every dollar we raise
dollar for dollar.
This means that for every dollar which the seminary receives from you in the form of a special
gift for operations between now and May 15th, 2012, these anonymous supporters will match it
with a like donation up to $80,000. The effect of this is that your special gift will double in value
in support of the operation of the seminary. If you send a special gift of $100, it will be matched
with an additional $100; your special gift of $500 will provide $1,000 for the work of training
pastors at the seminary, etc.
We know, of course, that your gifts to the seminary will not be primarily motivated by this
challenge; it is your love for God and your desire to see pastors prepared for the Gospel ministry
of the Church that will motivate you. But it is nice to know that your gift will go twice as far
because it is being matched.
These are challenging times for our Church and our Seminary. We are all called on to do more
with less. But we are assured by the grace of God that all our challenges will be met. Please
consider helping us meet this challenge. Time is limited but we are confident.
Thank you for participating in this exciting opportunity. Of course we’ll let you know the
outcome.
Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake,
Dr. Norman J. Threinen
