It is my joy to announce the largest-ever matching gift campaign in the history of Bethlehem College and Seminary. Our generous God has stirred the hearts of a small group of faithful contributors to put forward $1 million to match dollar-for-dollar gifts towards the Serious Joy Scholarship until June 30, 2025. Like the Macedonian believers in the New Testament, these generous saints have given themselves first to the Lord and then by God’s will to us in order to stir the affections of others to “excel in this act of grace also” (2 Corinthians 8:1–7). This is an excellent opportunity to make a single contribution or a recurring gift to Bethlehem College and Seminary to support this God-centered, Bible-saturated, remarkably affordable education in serious joy.
One of our institution’s core values is “remarkably affordable.” What do we mean by this? Since our founding, Bethlehem College and Seminary has chosen not to participate in federal student loan programs to avoid the entanglements of government money. Instead, we offer each full-time student a $10,000 Serious Joy Scholarship, while maintaining an administrative commitment to strategic simplicity as we steward the Lord’s resources for the sake of his mission.
Bethlehem Seminary delivers rigorous preparation for aspiring pastors at a remarkably affordable tuition that allows these men to accept pastoral calls or other ministry appointments immediately after graduation, unencumbered by student loans. Bethlehem College likewise offers a robust God-centered classical liberal arts education at a price (about $8,000 per year) that is well within reach for students and their families—including those engaged in full-time service to Christ’s church as pastors, teachers, and missionaries.
1 Timothy 6:17–19 offers a powerful call to this sort of God-centered generous investment in leadership development and other good works.
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
Note that Paul doesn’t call the wealthy to give back because of all that they’ve received. Instead, he employs the logic of future grace: “Set your hopes on God, not on riches.” God-centered hope is the crucial key that unlocks radical generosity in the hearts of Christians and unleashes all sorts of church-strengthening, mission-advancing good works, such as training the next generation of holy and happy pastors, teachers, missionaries, and faithful church planters.
Speaking of holy, happy pastors, we just concluded the 37th annual Serious Joy: Bethlehem Conference for Pastors. I have attended this conference for over twenty years and was incredibly encouraged by how God poured out abundant grace once again on this gathering of around 800 pastors and ministry leaders. The messages on “Big God Preaching” beautifully complemented one another and offered conference attendees a rich feast of expository exultation in the greatness and goodness of our God. It was also a particular encouragement to reconnect with dozens of Bethlehem alumni who are now faithfully pastoring congregations from Albert Lea to Abu Dhabi. It was such a blessing to be led in worship by alumni of this school, to hear powerful preaching from Bethlehem graduates, and to hear several of my former students reflect on their journey “From Seminary to the Pulpit.” Recordings of the conference messages will be available online in the coming weeks, and you can mark your calendars to attend the next Serious Joy conference February 2–4, 2026 in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Over the coming weeks, we will provide regular updates on the Million Dollar Match. Please pray for this extraordinary initiative and consider participating in “this act of grace.”
Brian J. Tabb, Ph.D.
President & Professor of Biblical Studies
Prayer Requests:
- Pray that the $1,000,000 gift would be matched with generosity from our community.
- Praise the Lord with us for the pastors that were served and encouraged this week during Serious Joy: The Bethlehem Conference for Pastors.
- Pray for our students as they battle winter sickness and head toward midterms.
- Pray for the full funding of all Serious Joy Scholarships needed to support this year’s students by June 30.