Students meet donors

Donors learn how important their gifts are to seminary students

News release: November 3, 2006

When Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary student Jenifer Eriksen-Morales met the donors who provided the scholarship she receives, she said thank you. Then she quickly added, "My children are benefiting from the scholarship, too. May I show you a picture of them?"

As Myrl and Freida Sauder of Archbold, Ohio, looked at photos of Nikolas and Jonathan, Eriksen-Morales explained how the scholarship makes it possible for her to be both mother and full-time student. Without that support, she and her husband, Victor, both would need to work to pay for tuition along with living expenses.

Eriksen-Morales was able to meet with Myrl and Freida Sauder, and with Maynard and Carolyn Sauder who also contributed to her scholarship, following a dinner recognizing donors to AMBS on October 20. The event included time for donors to get acquainted with students, to hear about current activities at AMBS and to hear several students talk about their seminary experiences.

Samuel Voth Schrag from Newton, Kan., told the donors, "You are helping to create a community of pastors, because I have been pastored by students and faculty." Voth Schrag explained that he is supported by people who care and pray for his family as he studies at a distance from his father who is dealing with cancer.

Another student, Janet Rasmussen from Seattle, Wash., recounted the ways "the resources of the seminary have nurtured and structured my discernment and have given me a wonderful way to test my gift and calling."
The evening was hosted by Mel Riegsecker at the Blue Gate Restaurant in Shipshewana, Ind., and included approximately 120 donors, students, faculty and staff.