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Tom Jolivette
Vice President for Seminary Relations; Executive Director of the Luther Seminary Foundation

CloEve Demmer
Director of the Sustaining Fund, Philanthropic Adviser, Seminary Relations 651-641-3594
cdemmer@luthersem.edu

Lisa Cohen
Assistant Director of Sustaining Fund, Seminary Relations 651-523-1627
lcohen001@luthersem.edu

		Louise Evenson Philanthropic Adviser, Seminary Relations 651-523-1636 levenson001@luthersem.edu

		John Kilbride Director of Major and Planned Gifts, Seminary Relations 651-523-1628 jkilbride001@luthersem.edu

		Richard Omland Philanthropic Adviser, Seminary Relations 651-641-3450 romland001@luthersem.edu

		Jenny Peterson Philanthropic Adviser, Seminary Relations 651-641-3452 jpeterso@luthersem.edu

		Gerry Rafftery Philanthropic Adviser, Seminary Relations 651-523-1611 graffter@luthersem.edu

		Katherine Steffen Donor Liaison, Seminary Relations 651-523-1751 ksteffen001@luthersem.edu

		Michael Zacher Philanthropic Adviser, Seminary Relations 651-641-3484 mzacher@luthersem.edu

Vice President for Seminary Relations; Executive Director of the Luther Seminary Foundation Vice President for Seminary Relations; Executive Director of the Luther Seminary Foundation

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Janet and Brad Anderson

Janet and Brad Anderson have been outspoken advocates for strong, biblically based preaching. As part of their involvement with the Called and Sent Campaign, they're doing something to ensure that need will be met. The Andersons have pledged to create the Marbury Anderson Chair for Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary in honor of Brad's father, a retired Lutheran pastor.

"Marbury has been such a wonderful example for us of what good preaching is all about," said Janet, chair of Luther Seminary's board of trustees. "We wanted to honor his service to the church and let him know that his sermons have had a powerful impact on our faith. What better way than to create more preachers like him in the next generation of pastors."

"I can't think of a higher honor," wrote Marbury Anderson to Brad and Janet after receiving the news on Father's Day." [Preaching] continues to be the point in which I think the church must be strong. To send out individuals challenged to give it priority is, as I see it, the heart of what a seminary is about and in which it needs to excel."

Luther Seminary has long been known for its preaching emphasis. The Doctor of Ministry Program in Biblical preaching is attracting more pastors who feel compelled to sharpen their skills and bear greater witness through the text.

"This is a public statement by the seminary of the importance we place on biblical preaching," said Michael Rogness, the Alvin N. Rogness Professor of Homiletics. "It shows we are going to continue to expand continuing education opportunities and advanced degree possibilities, and show how we approach preaching in the curriculum."

For Janet and Brad Anderson, this is central to fulfilling the seminary's mission.

"We are both really interested in preaching. It's the absolute cornerstone, centerpiece of worship," said Janet. "Of course it's possible to worship without a good sermon, but for me it really is what connects the worship experience."

Janet says finding ways to connect the text with everyday life is what biblically based preachers do best. It's one thing she has always admired about her father-in-law, who serves as visitation pastor at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church in St. Paul. He still preaches on occasion.

"At 81, his sermons are as insightful as ever," Janet said. "He's still always writing down quotes or stories from the news to use as illustrations."

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Janet and Brad Anderson