Home Mission Foundation Awards 2022 Scholarship Recipients

Roger Lyman, President of the Home Mission Foundation, announced the Mary Ona Wolf and Home Mission Foundation Seminarian Scholarships awarded for 2022. In December, a total of $95,630.50 was mailed to the recipients for their training and education as new pastors.

Jonathan Webster, Scholarship Committee Chairperson, describes the program, “The Scholarship Fund receives large amounts annually with individual amounts being distributed to many seminarians each year. In addition, scholarships are supported by two Home Mission Foundation Funds: the Mary Ona Wolf Scholarship Fund and the Home Mission Fund.”

Ms. Mary Ona Wolf created the Mary Ona Wolf Scholarship Fund to educate and train pastors for the NC and SC Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Her estate provided over a half million dollars to form the Fund’s corpus, whose income supports seminarians from North and South Carolina seeking a Master of Divinity Degree.

The Fund provides financial support for each North and South Carolina Seminary Student. Also, the Fund recognizes achievement and merit through a First Year Merit Award, an Internship Award and an award for all Newly-Ordained Pastors in the Synod.

“The Home Mission Fund of the Home Mission Foundation provides additional support to seminarians from the North Carolina Synod, ELCA and the NALC (North) Carolinas Mission District seeking a seminary degree. The Fund gives an equal amount to each of these students. Unfortunately, the cost of a seminary education continues to rise each year. Men and women who receive the Call to Ministry should not be discouraged by the necessary cost of such education to achieve God’s goal before them. Seminarians are very thankful for this support, expressed in the many thank-you notes received each year. The Home Mission Foundation remains passionately committed to Scholarship as one of its major programs.”

Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary Scholarship Luncheon

LTSS held a Scholarship Luncheon on Wednesday, September 21st to celebrate all of their donors.  The Home Mission Foundation (HMF) and North Carolina Lutheran Men in Mission (NCLMM) were invited to attend.  The lunch and program was preceded by a worship service in Christ Chapel.  Rev. Dr. Brain Peterson, Professor of the Bible and Mission Chair (established by NCLMM and HMF) was the presider and preacher of the worship service. 

Representing NCLMM and HMF were the following, (L to R)
Hal Derrick, HMF, Terry Edwards & Bob Wright, NCLMM, Seminarians Steven Hoyle (NC Synod) and Kevin Burke (SC Synod).  Both Steven and Kevin were recipients of HMF scholarships.

2022 NC Synod Gathering at Lenoir-Rhyne University

The Home Mission Foundation and the North Carolina Lutheran Men in Mission co-sponsored one of the break sessions at the 2022 NC Synod Gathering at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

Roger Lyman, President, of the Home Mission Foundation, prepared and manned a display at the 2022 NC Synod Gathering at Lenoir-Rhyne University. The display described the numerous ministries of the Foundation.

Home Mission Foundation Awards 2021 Scholarship Recipients

Roger Lyman, President of the Home Mission Foundation, announced the Mary Ona Wolf and Home Mission Foundation Seminarian Scholarships awarded for 2021. In December, a total of $123,536.50 was mailed to the recipients for their training and education as new pastors.

Terry Edwards, Scholarship Committee Chairperson, describes the program, “The Scholarship Fund receives large amounts annually with individual amounts being distributed to many seminarians each year. Scholarships are supported by two Home Mission Foundation Funds: the Mary Ona Wolf Scholarship Fund and the Home Mission Fund.

“The Mary Ona Wolf Scholarship Fund was created by Ms. Mary Ona Wolf for the education and training of pastors for the NC and SC Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Her estate provided over a half million dollars to form the Fund’s corpus, whose income provides support to seminarians from North and South Carolina seeking a Master of Divinity Degree.

“The Fund provides financial support for each North and South Carolina Seminary Student. The Fund recognizes achievement and merit through a First Year Merit Award, an Internship Award and an award for all Newly-Ordained Pastors in the Synod.

“The Home Mission Fund of the Home Mission Foundation provides additional support to seminarians from the North Carolina Synod, ELCA and the NALC (North) Carolinas Mission District, seeking a seminary degree. The Fund gives an equal amount to each of these students. The cost of a seminary education continues to rise each year. Men and women who receive the Call to Ministry should not be discouraged by the necessary cost of such education to achieve God’s goal before them. Seminarians are very thankful for this support which is expressed in the many thank-you notes received each year. The Home Mission Foundation remains passionately committed to Scholarship as one of its major programs.”

The following are a sample of the thank you notes from some of the seminarians who received Home Mission Foundation scholarships.

I have received the very generous gift from the Home Mission Foundation. Please accept and communicate my gratitude to the board.

Respectfully,
CC

I wanted to reach out and let you know that I received the scholarship letter and check. Thank you for this gracious gift! This money will help greatly with my studies. I pray that you and the committee members had a wonderful Christmas and that you all have a blessed New Year.

Blessings,
JA

I am emailing you to let you know that I have received the generous scholarship check from the Home Mission Foundation.
Thank you so very much! With this scholarship I will be able to complete my first year of classes without taking out student loans. I am extremely grateful for this assistance in funding my seminary education. Thank you again

Peace,
BP

I received the amazing and generous scholarship gift. Thank you and Mary Ona Wolf for your incredible generosity. I pray that I will be a worthy recipient.

Thank you, Merry Christmas, Joyful Advent and Christ’s Peace to you,
KB

My name is TJ, and I am a candidate for Word and Sacrament for the North Carolina Synod. I received the check, and I want to thank you for continuing to support candidates for ministry in the North Carolina synod.

Grace & Peace,
TJ

Thank you so much for the generous scholarships that the Home Mission Foundation has given me this year. I am graduating with my Master of Divinity from Duke in May, and this fall I will begin studying at Luther Seminary to complete my Lutheran requirements and prepare for an internship!

The HMF scholarships are not only helping me pay my tuition at Duke this year, they are also supporting my financial stability as I plan to move to the Twin Cities to continue my education at an ELCA seminary.

Thanks be to God for the work of the HMF!
KE

2019 HMF/NCLMM

HMF Professorship History

When Dr. Joe Ridenhour retired from the HMF Board of Directors in 1995 after 42 years of service he was the last of the original founders serving on the Board.  His leadership, along with the other founding directors certainly set the tone for outstanding ministry by both Lutheran Men who established the original Loan and Gift fund back in the 20’s and Home Mission Foundation in 1953.  

With the 50th anniversary of Home Mission soon to be celebrated in 2003, the leadership of Lutheran Men and HMF felt that it would provide an opportunity to honor the work of the original 12 founders in some significant way.

Dr. Ridenhour had reminded men at the annual convention in 1988 of the Charter mission statement which included assisting congregations in financing church buildings…and later providing financial support for persons called to parish ministry. So what might the recognition be?

After prayerful consideration, discussion and reflection on the current ministry areas,  Lutheran Men and HMF decided that a professorship in Bible and Mission at Southern Seminary would be a logical focus consistent with the building of churches, assisting those persons called to ministry and now encouraging those faculty trained to teach those entering the ministry.   After consultation with the administration at Southern Seminary and gaining their support, it was decided that Lutheran Men and HMF would accept the challenge of establishing the professorship with a $1 million endowment.  In 1995, an initial gift of $160,000 was presented to the seminary to be placed in escrow until the full amount could be raised by 2003 to celebrate the 50 year history of Home Mission Foundation.  

In spite of the commitment of the leadership and generous support of numerous individuals from both organizations, the $1 million goal was not achieved by 2003.  However, 3 years later, in the spring of 2006, a check funding the original commitment was presented to Seminary President Fred Reisz as part of the 175th anniversary celebration of the Seminary, thereby officially establishing THE NORTH CAROLINA LUTHERAN MEN AND HOME MISSION FOUNDATION PROFFESSORSHIP IN BIBLE AND MISSION– given in recognition of the leadership and dedication of the original founders of HMF.  

The joint project between HMF & Lutheran Men was called an astronomical venture and something no other men’s group has ever done. A follow-up celebration dinner was held in August 2006 honoring the original founders and their families along with the leadership of NCLMM.

The Rev. Dr. James Thomas was the first faculty member to be recognized with the professorship and the current holder is Rev. Dr. Brian Peterson.

The endowment is open ended meaning additional gifts may be added at any time by either contacting Home Mission Foundation or the Seminary. 

Home Mission Activities, Planned Giving/Estate Planning

Remembering Ms. Sara Roof

Ms. Sarah Roof, a lifelong member of Daniels Lutheran Church in Lincolnton, NC was a lady that was very interested in Home and Foreign Missions. Upon her death, her estate established the “Roof Mission Endowment Fund” which is administered through Daniels Lutheran Church. Her instructions were to divide the proceeds from the endowment with half going to Foreign Missions and half to Home Missions. Therefore, in July 2017, a gift of $10,000 was given to the North Carolina Lutheran Men in Mission Loan and Gift Fund and the Home Mission Foundation. A gift of $10,000 was also given to Foreign Missions through the North Carolina Lutheran Synod. Miss Sara was very active in the life and ministries of Daniels for over 90 years. She supported charitable causes within the community and church. Her legacy will live on through her generous gift.

Pictured left to right, Terry Edwards, John Fisher, Brandon Heavner, Daniel Locke, Sarah Locke and Dr. Brian Peterson

John Fisher, President of the Home Mission Foundation and Terry Edwards, Men’s Ministry Coordinator, North Carolina Lutheran Men in Mission attended the LTSS Annual Scholarship Luncheon on Wednesday, February 15, 2017. The annual luncheon honors scholarship donors and student recipients. John and Terry were there to represent the Home Mission Foundation and NCLMM. They were honored to be seated with senior seminarians, Brandon Heavner, Daniel Locke and Sarah Locke. Also seated with them was Dr Brian Peterson, Professor of New Testament, Bible, and Mission, which is the endowed chair established by the NCLMM and HMF.

 

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From the Reader’s Forum of the Lincoln Times-News, 6-16-14

Remembering Mary Lou Seagle Cline


Mary Lou Seagle Cline was a kind, humble and caring Christian lady who lived on the Seagle family farm in Vale, and was a lifelong member of Daniels Lutheran Church. She passed away last August at age 95. She had been married to Ira Cline, a well-known Lincoln County citizen who predeceased her. I had the privilege of serving as executor of her estate, and I just want the community to know of her kindness and generosity. Cline, through her will, gave significant monetary donations to Daniels Lutheran Church, Pleasant Grove Methodist Church (Ira Cline’s church), Christian Ministry of Lincoln County, Habitat for Humanity, Hospice, United Way, the Historical Society, Red Cross, Lutheran Brotherhood, Baptist World Hunger Fund, Cancer Fund and Heart Fund. Most of these funds will benefit Lincoln County citizens directly, and for that we are most appreciative, and we want to remember Mrs. Cline, and also her like-minded generous brother, Paul Seagle, who predeceased her.

Kendall Smith, 
Gastonia

For more information about Planned Giving through the Home Mission Foundation, please visit our “Planned Giving” page at this link.

“The Founders’ Legacy” Published in “The Lutheran” Magazine

 

The Home Mission Foundation was featured in an article written by Russ McKittrick, Vice President of the Executive Committee.  You can read the full article online at:  http://nclutheran.org/communications/publications/thelutheran/9B-0214-print.pdf

 

Excerpt from the article:

The Home Mission Foundation (HMF) is a nonprofit organization that serves Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in cooperation with the North Carolina Synod, its congregations and the North Carolina Lutheran Men in Mission.

The main mission of HMF is to advance the kingdom of God in North Carolina by administering funds from donors for the purpose of grants and low-interest loans to Lutheran congregations in North Carolina; grants and scholarships for education of pastors; and for other religious, educational and charitable purposes.

Lutheran men and women, filled with the Spirit, telling the good news and sharing God’s peace and joy with others through the world. Can this be real? Yes, it is!

The photo of four vessels shown here depicts, from left to right, the four dimensions of HMF’s ministry: Gift Fund, Professorship Fund, Revolving Loan Fund for congrega- tions, and Scholarship Fund.

Read the full article online at:  http://nclutheran.org/communications/publications/thelutheran/9B-0214-print.pdf

History of the HMF book available now

book_coverLiving Vessels: A History of the Home Mission Foundation, written by the Reverend Dr. H. George Anderson, has been published and is now available.

Please click on the “Contact” tab to request information on the distribution of this book.