WINONA LAKE – Grace College & Seminary is pleased to announce it is the recipient of a $200,000 grant from The Kern Family Foundation. The grant will be used to expand Grace’s blended seminary degree program which allows students to earn a bachelor of arts in biblical studies and a master’s in divinity in five years.

The Kern Family Foundation, based in Waukesha, Wisc., endeavors to enrich lives by developing the formation of good character, increasing educational achievement, promoting the value of work and instilling an entrepreneurial mindset.

Betsy Mackett, program coordinator at The Kern Family Foundation, said. “The unique seminary program at Grace aligns very well with our mission as well as our intentional focus on systematic change and long-term programs. We believe students who complete the five-year degree program at Grace College & Seminary will be well-equipped with the academic skills and virtues necessary to make meaningful contributions in the world.”

The $200,000 grant, which will be dispersed in $40,000 increments each year for five years, will provide for the hiring of a part-time program director, marketing efforts to promote the program, scholarship dollars and spiritual formation for students.

“We are thrilled to have earned the support of The Kern Family Foundation,” said Dr. Jeff Gill, vice president and dean of Grace Theological Seminary. “This grant will allow us to take the five-year blended degree to the next level, to reach many more prospective students and ultimately make a significant impact for the Kingdom of God.”