Committed to the Mission

Joyce Thompsen has been actively involved at Luther Seminary for nearly 20 years and in myriad ways. She's a member of the board of trustees. She has worked closely with various seminary leaders on important projects. She and her husband, John R. Wright Jr., are committed donors who give annually and have made Luther Seminary the primary beneficiary of their will.

The reason for this dedication boils down to one thing: Luther Seminary's unwavering commitment to its mission to educate leaders for Christian communities.

"I believe putting emphasis on preparing leaders to serve in God's world is the single most leverageable and highest impact thing we can do," Thompsen says.

Thompsen has witnessed the seminary go through both good and challenging times. And, she says, she has been reassured that Luther will keep its mission intact, has unique capabilities to prepare servant leaders and is still a worthy investment.

"When you stick to the mission, and you gather people around it, it keeps you on the proper path. You'll come through even stronger and more committed," Thompsen says. "Luther is in the right place at the right time and is concentrating on equipping leaders to serve. A dollar donated to Luther plants seeds everywhere," she says.

To others contemplating a gift to Luther, she has just one request: "I would only ask people to pray deeply about what the Luther vision is and what it can mean to our dramatically changing world. Don't be afraid to move boldly and wisely and demonstrate your own resolve to support that mission—because Luther has not strayed from it."