West Africa Theological Seminary

Friends of WATS

West Africa Theological Seminary can continue to do the excellent work it is doing only as a result of broad cooperation that engages stakeholders on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Because of economic conditions in Africa, only a relatively small portion of the cost of running WATS can be covered by tuition and fees paid by students. The seminary depends greatly on the generosity of our friends outside of the campus -- both within Nigeria and from outside the country -- to make up the difference.

In order to help meet this challenge, in 1995 Friends of West Africa Theological Seminary (Friends of WATS) was incorporated in the USA and registered as an IRS 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. Friends of WATS exists solely to support the training of leadership for the Church in Africa through West Africa Theological Seminary. In the USA donations to Friends of WATS are tax deductible.

Checks or money orders may be sent to Friends of WATS at the following address (if you reside outside of the USA please send an international postal money order in US dollars):

Friends of WATS
3355 Lenox Road NE, Suite 600
Atlanta, GA 30326
USA

Note:

• Only funds for WATS financial support, including WATS missionary personnel and officially approved WATS projects are tax deductible under our IRS 501(C)(3) status. Donations which benefit the donor (tuition or fees for the donor or family member, for example) are not tax deductible.
• Friends of WATS will maintain integrity with its donors by applying funds strictly as requested by each donor. If this becomes impossible or inadvisable the donor will be contacted to secure permission for applying the donation in another way or to return the donation to the donor.
• All donations will be promptly receipted. Please provide your complete mailing address with your donation, for this purpose.

Friends of WATS Scholarships

One of the most practical ways any individual or church can support the ministry of West Africa Theological Seminary is through our Friends of WATS scholarship program. We do need large and small capital donations, but the ongoing assistance afforded through scholarships is a practical way in which virtually anyone can get involved.

We are asking God to give us three hundred new partners to join our Friends of WATS Scholarship program. These scholarships provide:

• A proven way to have a direct impact on the life of one or more leaders-in-training.
• A proven way to enhance the overall strength of the seminary.
• A way to invest in the future of Nigeria and other African countries.

How does a Friends of WATS scholarship work?

• We calculate the average cost of training one student at WATS—total operating costs divided by the number of students. Our total operating budget for the coming fiscal year is set at just over $560,000 and we expect to enroll 500 theological students. Therefore, our average cost for training one student is $1,100.
• A Friends of WATS scholarship is therefore calculated in round figures at either $100 per month or $1,200 per year. These funds are remitted to our US liaison office (which is recognized by the US IRS as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization): Friends of WATS, PO Box 1199, Moline, IL 61266.
• You will receive a biodata of a WATS student, including their photograph. The student will not be given your name and address, but will know that a friend of WATS is sponsoring them.
• Twice yearly you will receive an updated student testimony through the WATS scholarship secretary.
• Throughout the time of your sponsorship the student will receive a tuition-and-fees scholarship to WATS—they will pay nothing to the seminary.
• The seminary will not only receive from you the amount that would be normally covered by the students’ payment, but the additional amount of operating expenses that student payments cannot cover. This will enable the seminary to meet its rising operating costs.

Student scholarships at WATS have made the vital difference for scores of students. Thanks for considering your own scholarship assistance today.

Friends of WATS Board of Directors for 2008

Dr. William Sillings, Chairman
General Superintendent, Fellowship of Bible Churches
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Rev. Canon Dr. Martin Oguike, Vice Chairman
Episcopal Vicar
Sewaren, New Jersey

Robert Dyer, Secretary/Treasurer
Geophysicist, ExxonMobil
Kingwood, Texas

Anzetta Adams
Executive Director, John Wesley Center of Hope, New York
Hamburg, New Jersey

James Bates
Vice President, ChevronTexaco Canada
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Dr. Edward Beaver
Preacher, Realtor, Businessman
Easley, South Carolina

Dr. Ray Easley
Vice President for Academics, Wesley Biblical Seminary
Jackson, Mississippi

Rev. Daniel E. Finch
Pastoral Staff of 12Stone Church
Lawrenceville, Georgia

David Gross
High School Principal
Pacifica, California

Lucy Hall
Social Worker
Atlanta, Georgia

Dr. Charles Lake
Retired Pastor, WATS Adjunct Faculty
Greenwood, Indiana

Dr. Gary Maxey
Founder, West Africa Theological Seminary
Atlanta, Georgia

Matthew ("Oni") Maxey
Civil Engineer
Greer, South Carolina

Pastor Bryce Norton
Missions Pastor, Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church
Alpharetta, Georgia

Dr. Kanayo Odeluga
Physician
South Holland, Illinois

David Plemons
Businessman
Moline, Illinois

Rev. D. R. Plemons
Pastor, Grace Bible Church
Moline, Illinois

Eric Rochester
Missions Director, Heartland Community Church
Overland Park, Kansas