Many friends have
partnered financially with Emmanuel School of Religion over the
years to insure the Seminary’s work of preparing leaders for
the church and her various ministries. Due to such generosity,
Emmanuel now has over 1,000 alumni who serve as preachers, youth
ministers, missionaries, counselors, new church planters,
military chaplains, campus ministers, and in a variety of other
specialized ministries.
Many friends have
also chosen to remember Emmanuel as a beneficiary of their will
or estate plan so that their contributions to the School can
continue even at their death.
The
Emmanuel Heritage Society
The Emmanuel
Heritage Society was formed to recognize individuals who have
placed the Seminary in their will or have designated a portion
of their estate for the School.
Enrollment in the
Emmanuel Heritage Society:
•
Provides the Seminary with an opportunity to express
appreciation to the donor.
•
Encourages other friends of Emmanuel to give a planned gift.
While some may wish to remain anonymous, friends may assist the
School even more by setting an example of stewardship for others
to follow.
•
Insures the future existence of Emmanuel.
The
Book of Wills
The Book of Wills
was established to recognize the members of the Emmanuel
Heritage Society. The book exhibits photographs and letters from
members describing their thoughts on Emmanuel School of Religion
and why they have remembered Emmanuel in such a way. The Book is
on display in the Memorial Room of the School.
How
Do I Become A Member of the Emmanuel Heritage Society?
To become a member
of the Emmanuel Heritage Society, simply inform the Seminary
that you have included Emmanuel in your will or have entered
into some form of planned gift to benefit the School at the time
of your death.
To be included in
the Book of Wills, compose an open letter telling why you have
named Emmanuel as a beneficiary of your will or estate plan.
Then mail it along with a photo to Emmanuel at the address
below.
Emmanuel School of
Religion began as a seed in the mind of Dr. Dean E. Walker.
During his presidency at Milligan College, Walker foresaw an
exemplary graduate seminary in which biblically faithful
ministers would prepare for service in the churches and in the
world.
Walker planted the
seed in the minds of others, and slowly it began to expand into
further aspirations and possibilities. A number of these persons
met informally for several years, and in 1961, the existence of
the school was recognized legally through its incorporation as
Emmanuel School of Religion. One hundred persons watered the
growing concept of Emmanuel by giving or raising $1,000 dollars
each (they were designated as Founders), and finally Emmanuel
appeared in public for the first time when it opened for classes
in leased facilities at Milligan College in 1965.
From then on, God
made the Seminary grow (1 Corinthians 3:6). B.D. Phillips, a
utilities magnate, promised funds for property and a building
dependent upon the adequacy of Emmanuel’s support by churches
and donors. In May 1971, ground was broken on 15 beautiful acres
in Northeast Tennessee for a spacious structure with an exterior
of pink Georgia marble and gray Bedford limestone. Funds for
constructing and equipping the building and an endowment to
provide means for maintaining the building were provided by the
B.D. Phillips Charitable Trust. Classes were first held in the
building in September 1973, and the completed building was
dedicated during Commencement in May 1974.
Hosts of faithful
and capable persons have labored in God’s field at Emmanuel.
Leading ministers, educators, professionals, businessmen, and
philanthropists have served as trustees and members of the
Associates in Christian Education. Several Milligan professors
and other notable teachers served as Emmanuel’s original
faculty. More than two dozen other men and women have served as
professors. Still others function as adjunct faculty, visiting
lecturers, or local ministerial supervisors.
The student body
has grown to five times the size of the initial class of
thirty-five students. Most have been associated with the
churches of the Restoration Movement, but many have been members
of numerous other fellowships. They have come from every
continent, and an increasing number of students are women. Many
dedicated and skillful persons have also served as
administrators and support staff at Emmanuel throughout its
history.
Emmanuel School of
Religion has gained increasing recognition over the years. The
school received associate membership in The Association of
Theological Schools in January 1970, pre-accreditation in August
1978, and full membership in June 1981. Accreditation was
granted by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in
December 1980. In 1993, Emmanuel began offering study in the
Doctor of Ministry program, and awarded its first two doctoral
degrees in 1996. Since opening its doors in 1965, Emmanuel
School of Religion has prepared more than 1000 alumni for
service to the church.
These achievements
of Emmanuel are well summarized in a letter from one of our
professors on sabbatical leave at a prestigious university in
England: “My experiences this year confirm that we have
nothing to be ashamed of at Emmanuel. Our program is
world-class, I’m convinced.”
