November News Release

Representatives of Asbury Theological Seminary and the City of Wilmore expressed deep gratitude Monday for a donation of the Bill and Carol Latimer Charitable Foundation that has made possible a new family housing development at the seminary's Kentucky campus. The giving of thanks took place in ceremonies marking the start of construction of the 30-acre development.

 

As tractor engines hummed nearby with the work of leveling the grounds of the site, Bill and Carol Latimer joined Asbury Seminary leaders in pushing spades into the soil to break ground for the development that by its final phase is to feature 165 living units. Funding the housing is a $20 million donation from the Bill and Carol Latimer Charitable Foundation. The gift represents the second largest donation in the seminary's 86-year history.

 

The new family units will be located on land that begins at the intersection of Epworth and North Lexington avenues and extends to East College Street next to the campus. There will be both two- and three-bedroom living units, each providing more than 1,000 square feet of living space. Construction is expected to be complete in spring 2012.

 

Asbury Seminary President Timothy C. Tennent gave heartfelt thanks to Bill and Carol Latimer during the groundbreaking event. "I thank you for your vision and how God is using you in our midst. And we're just so appreciative of your heart for Jesus and your love for this community. Thank you very much," Tennent said. The listeners under and around a canopy set up for the occasion showed their agreement with Tennent's words by long applause.

 

The new family housing will contribute in many ways to the success of the seminary in training and equipping people for ministry, Tennent said. In addition to a special vitality in online and commuter access to the seminary's programs, he said, there is a unique benefit and power in theological education that is residential. Tennent said the community model for theological training has origins going back to the 12 disciples gathering around Jesus to learn and be transformed.

 

"We believe that, despite all the changes in the world, there are always going to be people who will want to come and live in community and be formed and prepared for a lifetime of ministry," Tennent said. "So I am grateful for this day. It represents for me a wonderful statement about Asbury's future."

 

Wilmore Mayor Harold Rainwater said the city welcomes the development with excitement over the positive growth it will bring to Wilmore. "We thank you for this investment in this community and investment in these students. And we praise God for it today," Rainwater said.

 

Asbury Seminary Teaching Fellow Jason Jackson spoke from personal experience of how much the new family housing units will mean to Asbury Seminary. When Jackson arrived at the seminary in 2006 to continue his education, he and his wife, Sarah, moved from their 1,750-square-foot home to a campus apartment for married students with about 400 square feet of living space. However, with the addition of a daughter to their family earlier this year and the need for more room, the Jacksons had to arrange for housing off campus because no unit was available on campus and a waiting list existed for the next opening.

 

Jackson said that, while grateful for their new accommodations, what he has missed is the community life he had with campus family housing. When the Jacksons had first arrived in Wilmore, they were able quickly to adjust to their new surroundings because of the housing community, who welcomed them, brought them cookies, shared their meals and gave their friendship. "It was those people who became our initial source of community and spiritual formation and growth and development in Wilmore," Jason said. "And so as time went on we found that we grew increasingly fond of being a part of the Asbury Seminary family housing units.

 

"So we were very excited for this (development) to take place and for all those students who are going to be coming to have the opportunity to move into new, beautiful, spacious family housing units to enjoy their time in as they pursue their studies at Asbury Theological Seminary," Jason said.

After the ceremonial tossing of shovelfuls of soil, Asbury Seminary Trustee Al Gwinn led the gathering in a prayer of consecration and blessing over the development. Borrowing a theme from the new construction, he prayed, "Grant that Jesus Christ our Lord will be the Chief Cornerstone of all that happens here."