In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul illustrates

what the Kingdom of God looks like by describing it as a body, with the different parts serving a purpose and dependent on each other to complete the whole.

This metaphor resonates with the seminary, which serves as an organ in the body of the church. The work of the seminary depends on the other parts of the church for our students, for our staff and for our finances. In return, we support the other members of the body by equipping leaders for the church and providing resources for Christian leaders and workers.

The seminary has an important role in helping current and future generations of believers understand both the central truths of the Bible and our role in working towards the Kingdom of God. In a time of uncertainty both within our denominations and in our world, the importance of having spiritually mature, biblically articulate leaders to guide our communities cannot be understated.

At AMBS, we’re convinced that God is at work in what we are doing, and your donations aren’t just contributing to institutional viability, but also to the pastors and leaders of God’s reconciling mission both

here in North America and all over the world.

As our world goes through great challenges, the Mennonite and Anabaptist movement has much to offer as we work toward solutions. A choice to contribute to AMBS helps to ensure that this unique voice continues to be heard.

AMBS is a part of God’s Kingdom that equips leaders with the academic rigor and the spiritual understanding that is foundational for effective ministry. •

—Austin Roberts, Master of Arts: Peace Studies student and development intern

BUILDING THE KINGDOM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Endow your annual giftMaking a bequest to AMBS

Give your life insurance New from MF Canada

REMEMBER TO CHANGE OUR NAME

If you have included AMBS in your estate plans, contact your lawyer or financial adviser to change our name from Associated to Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. If you use an automatic bill payment service or print your checks on a computer, please change it there as well. Or, you can simply use AMBS as the payee on your gifts. •

PLEASE CONSULT AN ADVISER: Rules and options for planned giving differ between the US and Canada and not all information in this newsletter will apply to everyone. Consult your financial adviser or attorney whenever you have questions about your planned giving. •

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Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary values friends and supporters across Canada and the US. We share here the issues and information you will want to consider as you make decisions about the financial blessings God has given you. If you wish to contact us, see the back page for details.

We are grateful for our donors who faithfully give an annual

gift. They are the lifeblood of our seminary and we count on them to remain a fit and vibrant community. There is a way to continue giving annual gifts after donors’ earthly lives are complete. An endowment bequest will ensure that AMBS continues to receive annual gifts for future generations of students.

The chart below shows how much you need to designate for AMBS in order to continue your gift indefinitely.

Many of our donors would like to give more during their lifetime but need to budget carefully to meet their needs. Often, the largest gift a person can make is through his or her estate. The chart below shows how much your bequest can increase your giving after your passing.

Consult with your financial adviser or an AMBS development officer to talk more about how to make a bequest and extend your giving well into the future. •

Here are three reasons to consider including a gift to AMBS in your

will or living trust:

1. It’s easy! A few sentences in your will or living trust will carry out your wishes.

2. It’s revocable! You can choose to change or rescind your bequest with-out penalty while you are still living.

3. It’s versatile! You choose what you want to give—cash, securities, real estate or other tangible items.

Here’s an example of language you can use to make a bequest:

“I [name] of [city, state/province, zip/postal code] give, devise and bequeath to Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary [written description of gift] for its unrestricted use and purpose.”

For more information, contact the development officer in your region or consult with your financial adviser. •

ENDOW YOUR ANNUAL GIFTABOUT AMBS

OUR MISSIONAMBS serves the church as a learning community with an Anabaptist vision, educating followers of Jesus Christ to be leaders for God’s reconciling mission in the world.

OUR CORE VALUES• Disciplined study of Scripture,

theology and ministry• Practices of worship, community

and Christian discipleship• Effective and visionary leadership

for the church• Anabaptist theology in

conversation with the wider church

• Mission that integrates service, evangelism and peacemaking

OUR VISIONAMBS will become an Anabaptist learning community that makes theological education accessible to and welcoming of Christians of increasingly diverse traditions, ethnicities and racial identities to reflect more fully God’s purposes of unity and justice.

MAKING A BEQUEST TO AMBS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

BEQUEST CHART

If you currently give: Designate a bequest of:

$100 $2,000$250 $5,000$500 $10,000$1,000 $20,000$2,500 $50,000$5,000 $100,000

GIVE YOUR

LIFE INSURANCE

“Art and I have a profound appreciation for our spiritual

heritage. Though its transmission to us was by ‘clay pots,’ the message was clear enough. We want to support a seminary teaching Anabaptist theology. We believe God is still speaking and know that our Scriptures can be illuminated for us by those called to prayer and study

on behalf of those of us still seeking.” — Lois Kennell, Rochester, Minn., with her husband, Art, who died in December 2014. •

“AMBS has always been an important place for us—not

only because that is where our lives were joined, but because we valued greatly our experience of learning and growing in ministry. We continue to believe in the mission of the seminary in preparing men and women for ministry in North America and beyond. We wanted to show that support and deep appreciation by naming AMBS as a beneficiary in our will. May its good work and legacy continue long into the future.” — Doug and Wanda Roth Amstutz, Kitchener, Ont. •

FROM OUR DONORS

If you are like many others, you will own life insurance sometime during your life. However, as time goes on,

your policy may no longer be needed for its original purpose. A planned giving newsletter from Everence, Goshen, Ind., encourages you to consider a charitable insurance option so the policy can help an organization you care about.

When you make a charitable gift of life insurance you benefit with a current charitable income tax deduction with tax savings that may be enjoyed for up to six years. You also have the satisfaction of knowing your policy proceeds are going to benefit a worthy cause.

Options for gifts of insurance

• Make a gift of life insurance: It’s easy to make an outright gift of a life insurance policy.

• Insurance for a gift annuity: Your insurance may be transferred to fund a charitable gift annuity.

• Insurance unitrust: Transfer your policy to fund a charitable remainder unitrust.

• Bequest of insurance: Name a charitable organization as the beneficiary of the policy. •

New from MENNONITE FOUNDATION CANADA MFC’s Personal Information Directory will help you keep track of important information and documents. It also can assist others who become involved in your affairs in the event of your disability or death. Up-to-date information will ensure that your papers and records will be easy to locate when needed. Download your copy at MennoFoundation.ca/PID •

DEVELOPMENT TEAM

RON RINGENBERGVice President for Advancement rringenb@ambs.edu

MISSY KAUFFMAN SCHROCKDirector of Development mkschrock@ambs.edu

KEN HAWKLEYAssociate Director of DevelopmentServing Canada, Western US, Illinois, Wisconsinkhawkley@ambs.edu

GERALD SHENKDevelopment OfficerServing the Northeast gshenk@ambs.edu

ANNA RUTH HERSHBERGERDevelopment OfficerServing the Great Lakes arhershberger@ambs.edu

JOCEYLN GRABERDevelopment OfficerServing the Great Plains jngraber@ambs.edu

Contact the development team for more ways to support the work of AMBS. Learn more about planned giving at Everence (www.everence.com) and Mennonite Foundation of Canada (www.mennofoundation.ca).

CONTACT AMBS3003 Benham Avenue, Elkhart, IN 46517574.295.3726 • 800.964.2627 www.ambs.edu • www.ambs.ca

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDSOUTH BEND, IN

PERMIT #2613003 Benham AvenueElkhart, IN 46517

115 8.9 MKS Printed in the USA on 100% recycled paper.

AUSTIN ROBERTSDevelopment InternMaster of Arts: Peace Studies student