Dear Friends,
As you can imagine, COVID-19 has affected Pittsburgh Seminary in many challenging ways. Members of the community and their families have been exposed to the virus, and many have been sick. Some families have lost the jobs that sustained them financially. Some have had to mourn from a distance the loss of friends and relatives.
Yet our hope in Christ remains strong. Our students’ resilience amazes me—especially as they’ve faced these challenges while also transitioning to classes retooled for distance learning, studied alongside their young children who are home from school (and whom they have learned to home school!), and faced many uncertainties, not only for their future ministries but even for “next week.”
So today, in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, I invite you to relieve some of our students’ added burden by helping ensure their ample financial support for continuing their preparation for ministry—for “press[ing] on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14).
Please consider giving online to the PTS COVID-19 Student Sustainer Fund.
As the Seminary confers degrees (virtually of course) May 29 on our 2020 graduating class, join me in praying for these students as they answer God’s call. And pray for the Seminary as we continue educating people for ministry in the way of Jesus, even in an uncertain future. We are committed to ensuring seminarians can pursue theological education without incurring heavy financial burden, especially in times such as these. Your donations will sustain our students now and in the days ahead.
In the confidence that God continues to hold us all in the palm of his hand—and with gratitude for your partnership in ministry to the world that God loves,
David Esterline
President and Professor of Cross-cultural Theological Education
