Bonn seminary becomes debt-free

BONN, Germany (SWBTS) – After the news broke, the room full of German businessmen and seminary faculty quickly began to whisper among themselves the word “miracle.” Then, as the weight of the news began to truly register with them, the men began to weep.

These tears of joy, quite the rarity in that part of the world, were brought about by the presentation of a small piece of paper by Southwestern President Paige Patterson. This paper, a check generously contributed by Harold and Patricia Mathena to Bibelseminar Bonn (BSB), indicated that BSB’s debt, for the first time in the institution’s history, would be cleared.

“Debt-free!” exclaims Heinrich Derksen, president of BSB, which has been Southwestern Seminary’s partner institution in Europe for 11 years. “Being debt-free means to us that we are freed to do even more in our work for Christ in Germany from [our now-fully paid-off residence] Haus Wittgenstein. We want to grow as a theological seminary so that even more effective Kingdom workers will be used by our God to change the world for Christ in an unprecedented way.”

BSB was founded in 1993. Heinrich Löwen, BSB’s founding president, says the guiding principle for the institution’s leaders was, “God put this vision on our heart, and He will help us.”

Under this mentality, BSB leaders purchased Haus Wittgenstein, a historic building in Germany that has since served as a beautiful place for students to meet for classes. Unfortunately, the money that BSB students could afford to pay the institution was insufficient to cover the cost of the building.

“They bought it on faith, not knowing where in the world the money would come from,” explains Paige Patterson. “And it had become what I would describe as a blessed albatross around their necks.”

Increasing interest rates prevented BSB from making progress on clearing its debt, which hindered the institution’s ability to operate at its fullest potential. Upon the formation of the partnership between BSB and Southwestern Seminary in 2005, Patterson and First Lady Dorothy Patterson set about to raise funds for paying off the debt, but even in light of such efforts, BSB needed a miracle. 

Word of BSB’s need eventually made its way to Gary Mathena, who serves as adjunct professor of worship studies at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. Mathena was already acquainted with BSB through personal connections with its faculty, and so when Dorothy Patterson informed him of their financial situation, he began to pray. He then shared his burden for the seminary with his parents, Harold and Patricia Mathena, and as they, too, prayed about the need, God spoke to their hearts.

The Mathenas wrote a check for $300,000, which, when combined with an additional $50,000 already in-hand, covered half of BSB’s remaining debt. Previously, a German businessman had pledged that, if the Pattersons could raise $350,000, then he would contribute the same amount, thus covering the other half of the debt. For this reason, this check from the Mathenas signaled that BSB would become a debt-free institution.

While in Germany for BSB’s graduation, Oct. 3, the Pattersons attended a meeting with German businessmen and Bonn faculty. There, Paige Patterson informed them of the Mathenas’ gracious gift.

“The room … had a moment of difficulty, believing that Americans loved them that much,” Patterson says. “As it fully registered with them, they began to weep. This had to be one of the most profound moments I have ever experienced, blending together German blood and American blood in the cause of preparing for the great coming European revival.”

Being debt-free means that BSB can now invest more fully in its academic programs, hire additional faculty, and make improvements to their property. In addition, officially owning its own property puts BSB one step closer to gaining accreditation in Europe.

“I’m personally very excited about this because it’s going to free up the school there in Bonn to move a little quicker to do some of the things that they’ve dreamed of doing and wanted to do,” says Gary Mathena. “And I’m especially excited about the potential of maybe moving toward a school of music there at the seminary in Bonn. I’m hopeful that maybe this will speed that process along and that God will provide future resources and opportunities for the school to expand not only in training pastors and preachers and church planters, but also training those who lead the church in worship.”

“We are ready,” Derksen says, “to continue to build the future of an excellent academic seminary in Germany that glorifies our God through faculty and hundreds of Bible students who take bold and passionate steps of faith into a future that will bring spiritual revival to our German families, churches, schools and our whole nation. … We see a future of opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Germany and Europe. Yes, we are indeed hopeful to see many find eternal life in Jesus Christ and devote themselves to a life-long ministry for the glory of God!”