From the President

Dear Alumni, Students, Faculty, Staff, Trustees and Friends of IWS,

Over the years I have often stated that worship is the most important practice that humans can do, and therefore the study of worship is the supremely essential academic discipline. Since God created the world ex nihilo, or from nothing, then everything that exists in the entire universe (or multiverse), animate or inanimate, naturally occurring or manmade, is necessarily insinuated with God.

But, he is also other than everything that exists. Everything that exists, exists because of God and finds its being in God. And, God is present to his creation, sustaining it and eternally continuing to create. We who are followers of Christ are given the great privilege and responsibility to be priests of creation, to voice the praise of the voiceless creation back to God. What greater joy and honor is there in all of life? Alumni, students and faculty of the IWS community are serving as leaders and teachers of Christian worship all over the world, inspiring others to proclaim, celebrate, sing and enact the reconciliation of God in Jesus Christ, and with him be poured out in a priestly vocation for the life of the world.

The 2020-21 fiscal year was another strong year at IWS, thanks be to God. But, like last year, what a year it has been! Our January 2021 session was offered in the same virtual, semi-synchronous model of education that we used for the June 2020 session. In June 2021, we hosted a limited number of classes on-site, beginning to welcome a few students back to campus. But the majority continued to attend virtually. We anticipate hosting many more students back to campus in January of 2022. All of the faculty and staff have worked very diligently in these various modalities, and the students really stepped up to the challenge of the shifts in course delivery.

Enrollment remained strong this year, as did giving to the IWS Fund and the Scholarship Funds. IWS has continued its global initiatives, with one-third of our current student body holding non-American passports. Thirty-six new alumni received their degrees and embraced the commission to serve God through renewed worship, bringing our total number of degrees conferred to 693. 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