An Important Update from TR
On September 1, 2022, about 30 of our beloved TR family gathered unaware that they were about to hear some extraordinary news. One week prior, we were informed by our non-profit sponsor that they were abruptly releasing our program as of Sept 1.
That we were being released was actually an answer to our prayers. It had long been the case that the respective missions of TR and our sponsor were increasingly incompatible. But the suddenness and the manner in which we were released has been difficult to understand, let alone explain to our TR alumni, church/non-profit partners, mentors, professors, and friends.
We had given a lengthy, strategic proposal to the Board of our former sponsoring organization back in July. The proposal outlined a clear path for TR's future and two potential transition dates (Jan 1 and July 31) to choose from in 2023. In the end, they chose a third date for us (Sept 1, 2022), citing two missed benchmarks for TR enrollment and revenue.
We had hoped that the larger impact of TR over the past 4 years would warrant a more gradual transition process. And we are deeply humbled by so much that the LORD has done through TR:
- Served 36 Residents in 4 years
- Generated nearly $350K for our sponsoring organization
- Developed nearly 30 partnerships with local church and non-profit employers, with an 85% employer approval rating and 70% indicating a desire to hire their Resident full-time after program
- Mobilized a team of over 25 mentors, nearly 20 professors, and 100’s of pastoral and non-profit leaders to speak, teach, and pour into the lives of our Residents
- Formed a partnership with 2 major Christian seminaries (Southeastern and Carson-Newman) to provide 18 graduate-level credits through the program
- Cultivated the spiritual and leadership development of each Resident, nearly 25 of whom remain engaged in full-time Christian ministry across 20 churches and non-profits.
But all is not lost. Our current 4th class of Residents that arrived July 30 will be able to finish their TR4 program in the Residency house. And our former sponsor has verbally committed some final monetary support that, combined with other TR revenue, should amount to 60% of our TR4 program budget needs. We have a small foundation upon which to build. But we have a long way to go!
And so, with deep reliance on the Holy Spirit and a tremendously strong and united TR alumni family and network, we are committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure the future is bright for TR. That future includes a coming re-branding, re-organization, and re-launch of TR later this Fall. It includes an important fundraising campaign that is now live. It includes a lot of prayer!
We've set our current program year fundraising goal at $50,000. Please join us in praying and trusting God for these resources.
God is at work. While at times it might feel like we've received a stone, we trust and believe He is giving us bread (Matt. 7:9). He is giving us daily bread. He will supply. It will be enough. And He will complete the good work He has begun in us!
On behalf of TR,
Neil R. Anderson
Director
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