

To celebrate the 10-year anniversary and in response to the continued need of seminary students, the foundation’s Board of Directors has now adopted a goal of raising $10 million in cash and pledges within the next 12 months. “If we can reach this goal, we can envision the day when we will be able to pay in full the costs of seminary for so many of our seminary students and their families that struggle financially,” says Stegall.
One of the board members leading the charge toward the $10 million goal is Dr. Jeremy Pridgeon, Senior Minister of First United Methodist Church of Montgomery. “It is an honor to be associated with the foundation, both as a former recipient of the Faith Promise program that preceded the establishment of the foundation, and as a current board member,” says Pridgeon.
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Dr. Jeremy Pridgeon[/caption]
“Having served as a District Superintendent, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges facing our candidates as they struggle to meet the requirements for ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church. The support these students receive from the foundation is critical in helping them begin their ministry with a more secure financial footing. I am excited about the possibilities for the future, for our candidates and for the church, as the Stegall Foundation board works diligently to increase the support available to those who desire to answer God's call to serve the churches of the Alabama- West Florida Conference.”

The Foundation owes a deep well of gratitude to the donors who over the last ten years have turned a vision into reality. Now, the board invites the donors to partner with them to take the next step in supporting our seminary students. “Just as Bishop Paul Duffey prophesied that he could envision, without any reservations, the day when we would reach our initial goal of $5 million, I now envision the time in the not too distant future when we reach our next goal of $10 million,” says Stegall. “I never shall forget reading about what happened on the day the dedication and opening of Disney World was held,” says Stegall. “ The emcee said, ‘It is sad that Walt Disney never lived to experience this moment and see the opening of this beautiful Disney World.’ The speaker said, ‘Walt Disney did see it! He saw it in his dreams!’” With God’s grace and the prayerful support of faithful donors, dreams like those of the Stegall Foundation do turn into reality.