Nazarene Theological Seminary

Nazarene Theological Seminary (NTS) recently announced receipt of the largest bequest in the institution’s 61 year history. Zelin and Katherine Baber, a lay couple in Michigan, gifted NTS their estate of just over $2.4 million. Added to previous contributions, the Babers have donated a total of more than $2.5 million to NTS over their lifetime.

NTS was first introduced to the Babers, a farming couple who were long-time members of the Flint, Michigan Central Church of the Nazarene, just over 10 years ago. In 1994, the Babers approached their pastor, James Spruce (now superintendent of the Illinois District), expressing interest in including a broad-reaching ministry of the Church of the Nazarene in their will. Spruce, a graduate of the NTS Class of 1971, recommended they consider Nazarene Theological Seminary.

Soon after this conversation took place, then NTS President Gordon Wetmore and Ron Galloway, then assistant to the president for finance and development, met in Flint with the Babers and introduced them to NTS and its mission to prepare faithful and effective ministers of the gospel and to serve as a theological resource to the Church of the Nazarene. As a result of this visit, the Babers made an initial gift of $20,000 for NTS student scholarships. Over the past 11 years, the Baber Scholarship has been awarded to more than 12 different students preparing for full-time Christian ministry.

Earlier this year, NTS received word that at the passing of Mrs. Baber, the entire Baber estate had been willed to NTS. The gift was recently transferred to NTS and, at the direction of the Board of Trustees, will be held in investment until such time that the Board and Administration have time to prayerfully determine how this gift can best be used to further the mission of NTS.

In reflecting on the significance of this gift, NTS President Ron Benefiel shared the following: “This is truly an incredible gift, not only to the seminary, but to the future of the church. This gift will make a significant difference in the ongoing ability of NTS to carry out its mission of preparing men and women for ministry. It is also a lasting tribute to the memory of a dedicated Nazarene couple and their vision for the work of the Church of the Nazarene across the nation and around the world. Students preparing for ministry at NTS from now until Jesus comes again will benefit from this gift. We are forever indebted to the Babers for their gracious gift.”

NTS wishes to express its sincere gratitude to the Babers and Spruce, and to Wetmore and his team for their foresight and efforts in procuring such a significant gift that will truly impact the future of NTS and its ministry alongside and to the church.

For information on making a planned gift to NTS, please contact the NTS Development Office at 800.831.3011, ext. 238 or at development@nts.edu.