Dear Friends and Partners in Ministry,
A little more than a year ago, we launched the Campolo Center for Ministry to address critical challenges facing the Church in the 21st century.
As you know, fewer and fewer people identify as Christian—and the downward trend is most significant among young adults (according to the Pew Research Center). There is an urgent need for a new generation of gifted, well-trained, and spiritually mature pastors and Christian leaders. And the few people who are pursuing ministry face crippling debt in order to complete their spiritual educations.
I’m pleased to tell you that with your help, we have fired the first salvo in the battle to meet those challenges.
After exceeding our expectations and goals for our inaugural year, Tony and all of us at Eastern are excited about the future of the Campolo Center and are deeply grateful and encouraged by your partnership in this new and strategic initiative. We are even more pleased to announce to you the launch of the Campolo Scholars Pilot Program.
Campolo Scholars Pilot Program: Imagine a cohort of bright, committed, and high-caliber students—inspired by Tony Campolo’s passion for the Whole Gospel of evangelism and justice. Imagine these dedicated students learning, worshipping, breaking bread, serving, and receiving spiritual formation and discipleship together in a community dedicated to faith, reason, and justice.
We give thanks to God for two generous friends who, in partnership with the Campolo Center and Eastern University, have pledged to sponsor the first cohort’s four years of education, training and mentoring!
One of these donors described his vision for the Campolo Scholars as the “Rhodes Scholars of the next generation of pastors and Christian leaders.”
The Campolo Scholars Pilot Program is embedded and incubated in Eastern’s distinguished Leadership Fellows Program. This strategic synergy enables responsible stewardship of our resources by capitalizing on existing and proven curriculum and the flexibility to offer uniquely designed learning, serving and mentoring opportunities for our Campolo Scholars cohort.
While we’re thrilled to launch this pioneering program for preparing the next generation of pastors and Christian leaders, your continued partnership in this work is vital to both short- and long-term goals.
You can help undergird the short-term, immediate needs of implementation and oversight of the Campolo Scholars Pilot Program, by designating Tony’s Team on your check or online here: https://www.alumni.eastern.edu/ccm—campolo-center-fund?chid=3
And, you can help ensure this unique opportunity is available long-term for more students in the years ahead and in perpetuity by designating the Campolo Scholarship Fund online here: https://www.alumni.eastern.edu/ccm—-scholarship?chid=3
Throughout the year we’ll be introducing you to each of these bright, dedicated and inspiring students selected for the inaugural Campolo Scholars cohort. In the meantime, please keep Tony, our Campolo Scholars and all of us at the Campolo Center in your prayers.
With gratitude and hope in Christ,
Robert Gauthier
Executive Director of Development
P.S. We need your help now for this pilot program (by giving to Tony’s Team) and for future generations of Campolo Scholars (by giving to the Campolo Scholarship Fund).
P.P.S. Whether you give to one or the other (or both!) please know your gifts are appreciated greatly and will be used wisely!