CENTER FOR CHRISTIAN STUDY 2013-2014

ANNUALANNUALANNUAL fundfundfund

t the Center for Christian Study we know that

Christian Study must be more than a merely

academic exercise. We want to reflect Christ to the world

around us. That involves growing in wisdom, right along

with love, in a way that affects everything we do.

Ultimately, our hope is to see students at the

University of Virginia come to Christ to be formed into his

image and likeness. We long for them to be conformed to

Christ’s death and resurrection, and for their minds and

hearts and lives to be transformed by the Truth.

As you read through the following pages, you’ll

learn how we work to see this formation happen. We

are thankful the Lord has allowed us to participate in his

transformational work at this University throughout our

thirty-seven year history.

We could not do this without the

generosity of our donors. Thank

you for your continued

support of our ministry.

Bill Wilder

Executive Director

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WE WANT TO SEE STUDENTS REFLECT CHRIST IN THEIR DAILY LIVES.

The Annual Fund seeks support from U.Va. alumni, parents, students and community members through gifts made on a monthly,

yearly or one-time gift basis. Most of our services remain free of charge to the University and local community. The majority of

this year’s ministry support (73%) comes from individuals who make gifts to the Annual Fund. Our goal this year is $799,325.

YOUR GIFTS MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

WE WANT TO SEE STUDENTS REFLECT CHRIST IN THEIR DAILY LIVES.

Within our larger mission of Christian formation,

we seek to address the questions raised in

our University setting with the Christ-centered truth

of Scripture. This year we are sponsoring major

lectures and seminars on keeping faith in college,

understanding vocation, dealing with addiction, and

the problem of evil. Study Center staff members also

facilitate a dozen weekly or biweekly reading groups

on the Bible itself or on the relation of Christian faith

and life—in science, economics, music, and so forth. In

every case Scripture is the touchstone for the truth

we share with students at U.Va.

In the year ahead, cultural challenges and

opportunities will continue to confront our students

at every turn, in the classroom and beyond. Above all,

at this most formative time of life, we wish to point

them to the challenge and hope found in the crucified

and resurrected Christ of Scripture.

IN THE TEACHING OF SCRIPTURE.WE WANT TO PROCLAIM CHRIST

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IN THE TEACHING OF SCRIPTURE.

Faith, Reason, and Science Reading Group

Tcame to U.Va. with a general understanding of Scripture,

but my mind was closed to hearing what I considered

to be academic, “liberal” views of the Bible. In my science

classes, I was often confronted with ideas that collided with

my beliefs; and in many religious studies classes, I felt like

my understanding of Scripture was under attack. I asked Bill

Wilder to help me better understand the validity of Scripture

and how to correctly interpret what I was studying. He taught

me how to read the Bible with its original audience, context,

and genre in mind, and to know each passage is part of the

bigger story of God’s love for the world through His Son,

Jesus Christ.

I then joined the Faith, Reason and Science (FRS) reading

group at the Study Center. This group challenged me because

I met believers who had thought-provoking views. I was

also shocked and encouraged by how many non-Christians

attended the group. Being a part of the group helped

decrease my judgmental demeanor as I realized we were

searching for truth together. Bill facilitated the discussions

well and paved the way for helping everyone feel welcome.

I look back on this time as a helpful experience. I still

struggle with topics like evolution, age of the earth, and

the meaning of life, but I feel more equipped to search for

answers with Scripture as the authority while also trying to

communicate with others in a calm and edifying manner. I am

thankful for the ways the Study Center helped prepare me

for life beyond the University.

ADAM RICE, CLAS ’ 13 Biology & Religious Studies

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While our ministry is not part of the University

of Virginia, we love being an important part

of the neighborhood. Our events are designed to

reach out to students, together with their families,

throughout their University experience. From the

beginning of their time here with Days On the Lawn,

Orientation, and Move-In Day Weekend through

tailgates, Family Weekend receptions and Rush

hospitality to Graduation lunch, we seek to minister

to the wider University community. We also plan our

educational events to highlight the questions and

concerns being raised by undergraduates, graduates,

faculty and staff within the University environment

(and then make those resources as widely available to

others as possible). Our ministry also extends beyond

the undergraduates who fill our house on Chancellor

Street: for many years we have also supported three

graduate level fellowships–one on the main Grounds

and one each at the Darden and law schools.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY.WE WANT TO PURSUE CHRIST

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FOR THE GOOD OF THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY.

Before law school I worked as a youth programs

director for a small, grassroots youth and family

services organization on an Indian reservation in South

Dakota. The county I lived in was one of the five poorest

in America. I decided to come to law school because I

wanted to develop skills that would enable me to fix some

of the systemic problems that impoverished people face.

As hard as law school is, it is also really exciting, and the

opportunities that I’ve had here for academic growth are

incredible. The relationships that I’ve formed with students

in Law Christian Fellowship (LCF) and my church small

group are the closest I’ve had in my life.

I believe that God calls us to participate in His work

of seeking the renewal of all things—our life with God,

ourselves and the world—through Christ. I see my faith

intersecting with my studies most broadly in trying to

earnestly seek God’s will in the career decisions I make.

God calls us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly

with Him. Sometimes it is difficult to know exactly what

that looks like in the context of the legal profession.

We are very blessed here at U.Va. to have such a

large, engaged fellowship supported by wonderful,

supportive Christian faculty and the Study Center. This

is incredibly unique.

ALEXANDRA MEADOR, UVA LAW ’ 14

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Hospitality and Christian study. Love and truth.

Welcome and challenge. We have lots of ways of

expressing our commitment to welcome students—

believers and unbelievers alike—to Christian community,

conversations and care at U.Va. The building itself

provides Christian community and support even as

it serves to bring students from twenty different

Christian fellowship groups together. Friendships that

last a lifetime are formed in this building, providing

accountability and encouragement to represent Christ

well beyond students’ years at U.Va. or their involvement

in our programs.

This year the Annual Fund provided resources to

welcome 800 guests, including 173 first-year families

to U.Va. through our the Move-In Day Lunches. It also

provided funding for welcome events hosted by our

three graduate fellowships. It also supports seven

full time directors, three-part-time staff and twelve

student interns who care for students and offer them a

welcoming, safe place—truly a home away from home.

WITH HOSPITALITY AND CARE.WE WANT TO REPRESENT CHRIST

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WITH HOSPITALITY AND CARE.

As a first-year and brand new Christian, I struggled

to get adjusted to college life. U.Va. seemed

daunting compared to my small high school, but the

Lord provided in my weakness. I got involved in Chi

Alpha Christian Fellowship and was placed into a small

group. At one point that year my small group went to

a seminar at the Study Center entitled “Beauty and

the Body.” The talk was geared to help us as college

women develop a healthier view of our bodies in light

of Scriptural truths rather than what society is telling

us. It was one of the most influential messages I have

heard. Beginning with that lecture, the Stud was where

the Lord began to tear away a lot of the insecurities

and fears that I carried into college.

I also immediately fell in love with the building. It was

beautiful, comfortable, and safe. During my second year I

began to do my schoolwork regularly at the Stud. I felt like I

truly was at home. I loved the free coffee; I loved that so many

familiar faces surrounded me; I loved that I truly felt a weight

lifted off of me when entering into the building—as if the

building’s presence removed my burdens at the threshold.

I do not say this lightly: the Center for Christian Study is

my favorite place at U.Va. and it is the most valuable place at

the University. There is nothing more influential in uniting the

body of Christ at the University than this place, and thus the

Stud has the ability to impact the students, both Christians

and non-Christians, in a completely unique way. It has been,

and continues to be, my “home away from home.”.

ANNA GAINEY, NURS ’ 13 Nursing

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From its beginning the Center for Christian Study has

enjoyed a strong partnership with other Grounds

ministries. There is a strength that comes from our

differences and one that comes too from working

together where we can. Recognizing that, the Study

Center opens its house to the Christian community at

U.Va. even as it complements their ministries with its own

distinctive calling to Christian study. Grounds ministry

leaders also meet every three weeks at the Study Center

for mutual support and prayer: we know that we are able

to do more together, than apart, as we help students to

grow in their love for Christ and be formed to Him.

IN UNITY WITH OTHER GROUNDS MINISTRIES.WE WANT TO COMMEND CHRIST

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IN UNITY WITH OTHER GROUNDS MINISTRIES.

WILL YOU PARTNER WITH US? Thank you for your prayerful consideration in supporting our ministry. Every gift makes a difference!

ANNUAL FUND GOAL: $799, 325 July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014

Where Our Support Comes From:

Our operating budget for the 2013-14 academic year is $1,096,731.The Annual Fund provides 73% of the Center’s ministry support.

ANNUAL FUNDCONTRIBUTIONS

SERVICEREVENUE

RESTRICTEDGIFTS

ENDOWMENT INTEREST

How This Money is Allocated:

UNDERGRADUATEOUTREACH

EDUCATIONALPROGRAMS

GRADUATEOUTREACH

ALUMNI & PARENTRELATIONS

GENERAL &ADMINISTRATIVESERVICES

EDUCATIONALRESOURCES

FUNDRAISING

Expenditures are heavily weighted towards the Center’s primary missions of education and student ministry, which accounted for 78% of total expenses for 2012-2013. These figures were provided by our accounting firm Hantzmon Wiebel LLP as part of our annual financial review.

73%

15.4%

8.4%

3.2%

35%

16%

9%

9%

15%

9%

7%

12

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SEND A CHECK Make checks payable to “Center for Christian Study”Our remittance address: Center for Christian Study • 128 Chancellor Street • Charlottesville, VA 22903

DESIGNATE A GIFT THROUGH THE U.Va. FUND www.studycenter.net/annualfundU.Va. alumni, parents and students can support the Study Center by making a gift through the U.Va. Fund.

MATCHING GIFTS www.studycenter.net/annualfundSeveral employers match their employee’s contributions, enabling you to easily double or triple your gift to the Study Center! If you are a U.Va. alumni, parent or student, the easiest way to do this is giving online through the U.Va. Fund.

4 GIVE ONLINE www.studycenter.net/annualfundArrange an online payment through your bank or visit our website and donate online using your credit card via PayPal.

U.VA. FUND ADDRESS:Attn: Jennifer Bonenfant • U.Va. Fund • P.O. Box 400314 • Charlottesville, VA 22904Please write “Center for Christian Study” in the memo of your check.

GIVE NOW

For giving related inquiries, please contact our Director of Administration and Development, Shelly Pellish.434.817.1050 • shelly@studycenter.net • www.studycenter.net

studycenter.net/annualfund

THANKS FOR SUPPORTING THE STUDY CENTER.

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDCharlottesville, Virginia

Permit No. 144

The Center for Christian Study is

approved by the IRS as a 501(c)(3)

tax-exempt organization and all

donations are tax deductible to the

extent provided by law. The Center’s

Federal Identification Number is

51-0192618. The Study Center is

committed to financial accountability

and donor stewardship through

its membership in the Evangelical

Council for Financial Accountability

(ECFA). Copies of our latest financial

statements are available upon

written request.

128 Chance l lor St reet Char lot tesv i l le, VA 22903RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED