Dear Alumni, Students, Faculty, Staff, Trustees and Friends of IWS,
One legitimate way of reading the entire biblical narrative is this: God is calling his creation to right worship. Right worship rightly orders the individual, the family, the church, community, nation, and even the entire cosmos. Through right worship we become rightly aligned to the triune God through Jesus Christ, the primary worshipper. The privilege of learning about the priority of worship in the Body of Christ is a most critical educational and missional endeavor. By God’s grace IWS is fulfilling that mission all around the globe, setting the Church on fire with the love of God and the Good News of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. St. Irenaeus wrote, “God did not ask us to follow him because he needed our help, but because he knew that loving him would make us whole. ”In right worship we become reconciled to the one who made us and loves us.
The 2014-2015 fiscal year was another record-breaking year. I am delighted to report that IWS continues to stay the course in fulfilling the Lord’s mission and the vision of our founder Robert Webber as students and graduates take Christian worship renewal around the globe. With great thanks to God, we exceeded all of our fiscal year goals. On-campus enrollment rose by 7% to the highest level ever. Additionally, we had the highest total giving to both the IWS Fund and the Scholarship Funds in our history with an increase of 20% over last year's record-breaking year. During this past fiscal year IWS has continued its initiatives in worldwide impact. IWS’ reach has extended into the nation of Ethiopia, bringing the number of countries represented in the community to 26. At June’s graduation, 37 students received their degrees and embraced the commission to serve the Kingdom of God through renewed worship. Thanks be to God for his abundant blessing made evident throughout the entire IWS community! The impact of IWS is steadily growing worldwide while remaining rooted in the theological perspectives, relational sensibilities and pedagogical philosophy of its founder, Bob Webber.
Please take a moment to read in this annual report how IWS alumni are having impact across the globe. The ongoing fulfillment of our mission is truly a team effort, a team that includes each of you. Many in the IWS community have taken their places in their support of our mission by investments of time, talent, treasure and prayer, and we are deeply grateful. We are relying on your generosity toward God and your prayers to continue building the foundation we need for a secure future. Your gifts are wisely invested in our students and the mission of our beloved institute.
My wife, Carol, and I would like to invite you to participate with us sacrificially and joyfully in the mission of our school. As Galatians 6:6 states: “One who is taught the Word must share all good things with the one who teaches. ”IWS is good ground into which you may sow your seed of spiritual and financial generosity toward God. Together let us all thankfully, joyfully and generously support the Lord’s work in the supremely important and Kingdom-building activity of worship renewal through IWS.
Grace and peace to you,
James R. Hart, President
Dear Friends,
As chair of the Board, I am so grateful for the many friends God provides to support IWS as the Institute continues to serve His church. Each session that I am on campus I am reminded of the wonderful work God is doing here in the lives of our students and in their respective ministries.
Bob Webber's vision of a school focused on the theology of worship, imbedded in a local church, and in community is palpable. It is especially evident as we gather together for common meals, engaging one another and fellowshipping together, or when we join together in worship each morning in the sanctuary.
So I thank each of you who have supported our ministry here at IWS. Your gifts are having a worldwide impact as worship leaders are sent back to their home churches, schools and other contexts, applying what they have learned. IWS is truly having an impact on the lives of thousands of God’s children around the world and you make that possible. Thanks be to God!
In His service,
John Lindsell, Chair, Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees of the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies is
D.W.S. Student
M.W.S. Alumnus + D.W.S. Student
D.W.S. Student
D.W.S. Student
Thanks be to God for those who give of their prayers, time, talent, and treasure! We would be unable to continue in our mission without your generous giving.
Alumna Tamara Albrecht passes away. IWS teaches and presents at NWLC Kansas. We bid resigning professor Keith Ray farewell.
Trustee David Witt passes away. Jessica Coleman is promoted to Advancement Coordinator.
Sam Horowitz relocates back to Florida and rejoins the local administration and staff. IWS teaches and presents at Experience Conference in Orlando, FL.
Worship Leader Magazine honors IWS among its “Best of the Best” in worship education for the fourth straight year. ABHE's David Medders holds a Development retreat with the staff.
The local community marks the season of Advent with IWS at our fifth annual Advent Lessons & Carols service.
A record-setting 114 students (29 new) are on campus for the January session. Jeff Barker preaches at Opening Convocation. Grace Anglican Church hosts three doctoral courses. Pat Witt receives an honorary trusteeship in recognition of her late husband David Witt's contributions. Dinelle Frankland, Donna Hawk-Reinhard, and Jessica Jones are appointed to the Faculty. Susan Massey is appointed Library Director with faculty status. Luder Whitlock rejoins the Board. Former faculty member Carla Waterman teaches a seminar on Lament and Longing. IWS bids farewell to longtime media servants Gordon and Ginger Jensen, and longtime faculty member Lester Ruth.
The Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education reaffirms its accreditation of IWS.
A record-setting 122 students (32 new) are on campus for the June session. Emily Vermilya, D.W.S. alumna and M.W.S. professor, preaches at Opening Convocation. Alan Rathe is welcomed to the faculty to teach DWS 701, and Matthew Sigler fills in as professor for MWS 503. 37 students graduate at the 14th annual Commencement service (21 D.W.S., 14 M.W.S., 2 A.G.C.W.S.), bringing the cumulative number of graduates to 447. Kyle Reese, pastor of Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church, Jacksonville, preaches at Commencement. Mark Labberton presents a seminar on “Worship That Shows and Matters.” Pat Witt joins the Board of Trustees and Luder Whitlock becomes Vice-Chair of the Board. Faithful Audio/Visual Coordinator Cort Bender retires from his post. IWS announces Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church as its new host church. IWS teaches and presents at NWLC Kansas City. Fundraising and Enrollment close out a record-shattering year.
For the year, Charitable Giving receipts totaled $283,367 (Unrestricted, Restricted, and Gifts-in-Kind). Fiscal Year Revenue totaled $981,816 and Total Expenditures were $853,633.
We cannot say it enough: the ongoing work of forming servant leaders in Christian worship renewal worldwide depends upon generous gifts from our community. Please consider how you may participate with us in the renewal of the Church through a financial contribution and click an option below.
Set up a recurring donation on your Visa or MasterCard. Customize frequency, commitment term length, and more.
Donate to the IWS Fund or Scholarship Fund today by Visa or MasterCard, or make a one-time gift by other means.
How much thought have you given to what is potentially the single-most generous give you'll make?
Donate by check (mailed to IWS, 4001 Hendricks Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32207), cash (in the office only, please), or credit card (online)
Automated monthly giving (by MasterCard or Visa, or through your own bank's online bill-pay feature)
Matching corporate gifts
Gifts of securities/stocks
Electronic transfer of funds
Planned (legacy) giving
Leader $10,000 & up
Benefactor $5,000–$9,999
Partner $2,500–$4,999
Investor $1,000–$2,499
Supporter $500–$999
Contributor $100–$499
Donor up to $100
We encourage the members of our community to employ long-term estate planning to maximize their legacy to their loved ones and to their charitable interests. We also strongly urge them to seriously consider IWS as one of their priority charitable interests. While the annual support of the IWS community is absolutely crucial to the fulfillment of our sustainable mission, deferred support like Estate Planning can leave a Kingdom legacy with an impact that spans generations. This kind of gift is the single most significant act of generosity toward God that most of us will ever perform.
For more information on this or any way of supporting IWS, call the office at 800-282-2977.
Set up a recurring donation on your Visa or MasterCard. Customize frequency, commitment term length, and more.
Donate to the IWS Fund or Scholarship Fund today by Visa or MasterCard, or make a one-time gift by other means.
How much thought have you given to what is potentially the single-most generous give you'll make?
