Dear Alumni, Students, Faculty, Staff, Trustees and Friends of IWS,
“…Christ is all, and in all.” (Col. 3:11)
In my presidential address this past June, I began and ended with these two phrases: “Worship exists for the Church, and the Church exists for the world.… In worship, we are divinized into Christ-likeness, but not just for ourselves, for the life of the world.” The entire created order finds its ultimate end in worshipping its Creator.
We who bear the image of God have the wonderful, mysterious, and profoundly humbling mission of leading creation to reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ, helping to voice its worship, singing and exulting in the wonder, beauty, goodness and truth of our loving Father. Is there any higher call? Is there any doubt that worship is at the very center of the divine life, the beating heart of the Gospel? Alumni, students and faculty of the IWS community are answering the call to be leaders of Christian worship all over the world, inspiring others to proclaim, celebrate, sing and enact the good news of God in Jesus Christ, and with him be poured out for the life of the world.
With great thanks to God, the 2018-19 fiscal year was another strong year at IWS. Enrollment remained strong, as did giving to the IWS Fund and the Scholarship Funds. IWS has continued its global initiatives, with 34% of our current student body holding non-American passports. At June’s graduation, 40 students received their degrees and embraced the commission to serve God through renewed worship, bringing our total number of degrees conferred to 622. Thanks be to God! 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 students, alumni, faculty, staff, and trustees are making a real difference across the globe. The ongoing fulfillment of our mission is truly a team effort, a team that includes each of you. Many 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,
It is always a privilege to thank the many supporters who have come alongside IWS through prayers and generosity. Our work at IWS, providing a theological and practical foundation for the renewal of Christian worship, is at the very core of the mission of the Church worldwide.
Last session I attended a practicum where our students applied what they were learning in the classroom into a worship experience. It was wonderful to see in-class training transformed into practice with the understanding that these principles are renewing worship all across the globe! The scholarship, expertise and creativity of our faculty, students, and alumni is inspiring!
IWS continues to focus on the biblical, historical, theological, and cultural lenses of worship in an ancient-future context. Adding to our current accredited status with the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), we are also pursuing a second accreditation with the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), which will result in another significant milestone for the school. Our international presence and influence is growing through the GROW Center and through the many international students who travel to Florida twice a year.
So thank you for standing with us. Your continued, faithful gifts and prayers are such an encouragement to us as we seek to continue IWS’s tradition of excellence in worship studies.
In His service,
John Lindsell, Chair, Board of Trustees
D.W.S. Alumnus (2013)
M.W.S. Alumna (2019)
M.W.S. Alumnus (2017), 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.
Members of the Legacy Giving Circle have committed to honor IWS through endowed giving and/or estate planning.
The GROW Center is active: Dr. Frank Fortunato forms the India Worship Trainers Coalition with five Indian leaders and Dr. Nancy Nethercott teaches in Uganda and Kenya. Dr. Nethercott and Dr. Fortunato participate in the Global Consultation on Music and Missions in Nairobi and visit with Kenyan MWS student Jesse Mwai.
Dr. Jim Hart, Dr. Jessica Coleman, and Mr. Joe Jamerson engage with the Experience Conference and Getty Sing! Conference. IWS develops and submits its Institutional Readiness Report as part of the process of being a candidate for Accredited Member Status with the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).
Dr. Hart preaches at a Johnson University chapel service during a recruiting visit, accompanied by Mr. Jamerson. Dr. Hart leads a workshop and leads worship with Dr. Fortunato and Mr. Ron Man at ICETE in Panama. IWS hosts Dr. Lester Ruiz of ATS for an on-site evaluation of the school's readiness as a candidate for ATS Accredited Member Status.
Dr. Hart preaches at a Trinity College of Florida chapel service during a recruiting visit (with Mr. Jamerson) and is the featured speaker at B.H. Carroll Theological Institute's 2-day Fall Colloquy.
The local community marks the season of Advent with IWS at our annual Advent Festival of Lessons & Carols, hosted by Grace Anglican Church.
IWS welcomes its largest-ever incoming class (33 new students).
Dr. Glenn Packiam conducts a seminar on Worship & Eschatology.
IWS expands its livestream coverage to include morning chapel services.
Dr. Andrew E. Hill preaches at Opening Convocation.
IWS Alumnus Dr. Kai Ton Chau (D.W.S., '11) is welcomed to the Board of Trustees.
The IWS Self-Study Steering Committee approves a plan for conducting a self-study process to include alumni, students, trustees, faculty, administration, and staff during the 2019 calendar year, in pursuit of institutional accreditation with the Association of Theological Schools.
Dr. Nethercott, Dr. Hart, and MWS alumnus/DWS student Fred Heumann represent IWS at the Calvin Symposium on Christian Worship.
Dr. Hart attends the ATS Self-Study seminar in Pittsburgh, and preaches at Florida Hospital SDA Church and Shalimar UMC in Shalimar, FL.
IWS co-sponsors the National Worship Leader Conference in Nashville. Dr. Hart teaches several workshops on worship and Mr. Jamerson recruits prospective students.
Dr. Carl Park and Dr. Melody Kuphal join the IWS faculty as three new online-only courses are added to the M.W.S. Curriculum. 41 graduates are honored at our 18th Commencement Service. Dr. Gordon T. Smith delivers the Commencement sermon. Dean Emeritus of the Chapel status is conferred upon the retiring Dr. Darrell Harris, and Dr. Nethercott is commissioned as Chaplain. Mrs. Sarah Monaco, Dr. Emmett G. Price, and Mrs. Stefany Welch are welcomed to the Board of Trustees.
IWS bids farewell to Dr. Donna Hawk-Reinhard, who announces she is stepping down from her role as professor in the DWS 704 course at the end of the June term.
For the year, Charitable Giving receipts totaled $290,239 (Unrestricted, Restricted, and Gifts-in-Kind).
Fiscal Year Revenue totaled $962,363 and Total Expenditures were $918,165.
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 by electronic check or credit card (select “Give this amount monthly” on the form and adjust the term length as desired).
Donate to the IWS Fund or Scholarship Fund today by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card, or electronic check (or make a one-time gift by other means).
Are you among the 70% of Americans without an up-to-date will?
Donate by check (mailed to IWS, 4001 Hendricks Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32207), cash (in the office only, please), or credit card or electronic check (online)
Automated monthly giving (by credit card or eCheck, 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 by electronic check or credit card (select “Give this amount monthly” on the form and adjust the term length as desired).
Donate to the IWS Fund or Scholarship Fund today by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card, or electronic check (or make a one-time gift by other means).
How much thought have you given to what is potentially the single-most generous gift you'll make?
