100th Anniversary of Asbury Theological Seminary

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY, has charted quite a few major milestones in American Christian life. The school was the home of the first Christian music festival in the country; they established the first department of prayer and spiritual life at an American seminary; they have readied thousands of graduates to serve at every level of religious life. This year, Asbury is celebrating another milestone, marking 100 years of operation. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this renowned Kentucky institution and recognizing its outstanding contributions to our Nation's spiritual strength.

When Dr. Henry Clay Morrison founded Asbury Theological Seminary a century ago, he did so with one simple motto: ``the whole Bible for the whole world.'' Back then, the school only had three students and a skeleton staff. But Dr. Morrison was an energetic, effective leader, and soon, Asbury was attracting theological students from across the country and world to learn how to spread the gospel in the tradition of John Wesley.

Since its earliest days, Asbury has grown by leaps and bounds, now enrolling more than 1,800 students from 80 denominations and 50 countries. It is among the 10 largest accredited theological seminaries in the country, with satellite campuses in Tennessee, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Florida and a robust online presence. The seminary also shares a heritage with Asbury University, one of Kentucky's finest Christian universities, and helps the school provide a faith-driven education to students pursuing secular professions.

Today, Asbury's reach extends far beyond Kentucky and all across the globe. With several U.S. Navy chaplains as graduates, they even have representation in every time zone on the planet. Asbury alumni have served as pastors, church planters, missionaries, counselors, educators, nonprofit leaders, and in government. As much as the school has grown over the past 100 years, though, Asbury remains firmly rooted in its Jessamine County home. The vibrant community surrounding the school is a testament to its founders' enduring commitment to Kentucky.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Asbury Theological Seminary president, Dr. Timothy Tennent, and to all of Asbury's administrators, professors, alumni, and students, who do so much to support mission-based service in the Commonwealth. They have helped put Kentucky at the center of America's religious education system. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Asbury Theological Seminary on a century of service and success and wish them the best as their school continues to evangelize and spread scriptural holiness throughout the world.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source