January 25, 2019
At a donor appreciation banquet on January 24, President John Neihof announced that a donor has established the John M. Case Endowed Chair in Evangelical Studies in memory of the longtime Methodist pastor.
“Dr. Case was a great man and he cast a long shadow for the glory of God,” Dr. Neihof said. “The legacy of his life continues to live on through this endowed chair, given by a dear friend who was impacted by his ministry.”
An anonymous donor has made a $1 million pledge to fund the endowed chair. This donor has already given the first half of the pledge to establish the chair.
Mrs. Ellen Case addresses the banquet
The John M. Case Endowed Chair in Evangelical Studies will support the work of a professor at Wesley Biblical Seminary whose focus will be to prepare pastors and Christian leaders with the same evangelistic fervor and skills that Dr. Case exhibited throughout his ministry.
Dr. Case’s wife, Ellen, received a plaque celebrating the endowed chair. Mrs. Case was joined by two of their children, Mark and Renee. Dr. Case’s brother, Martin, and his wife Betty were also present.
“Thank you. John would be so honored,” Mrs. Case said. “We are so excited about this tremendous, incredible gift that was given. If John were here, he would be so humbled and honored.”
The banquet was not the first time that Dr. Case was publicly recognized by Wesley Biblical Seminary. In May of 2018, Wesley Biblical Seminary celebrated the first graduates from the John Case Doctor of Ministry. Dr. Case was present to address the graduates. He did not, however, share his prepared remarks.
In her comments at the banquet, Mrs. Case revealed that Dr. Case did not have his notes with him when he addressed the graduates. Only after Dr. Case passed away in November did Mrs. Case find the prepared remarks on his desk.
Mrs. Case invited her daughter, Renee, to read Dr. Case’s prepared remarks to those gathered at the banquet. They are presented below:
Dr. Neihof and Dr. Case at the 2018 graduation
“I am humbled and honored to be invited to this very special occasion. It is always a joy to observe what good things are happening at Wesley Biblical Seminary.
I have felt very close to the ministry of Wesley through so many of the faculty and students who were active for years in Christ Church–teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir, leading evangelistic visitation programs, playing piano and organ, and attending the services regularly. What a witness Wesley had for Christ at Christ Church.
“I have always been grateful for the thrust Wesley has made in proclaiming the gospel message and with the outstanding leadership of Dr. John Neihof and faculty. I am confident that the greatest days for Wesley are in the future.
“Thanks for letting me be a small part. To God be the glory; great things he is doing.”
Wesley Biblical Seminary is excited to further the missional legacy of Dr. John M. Case through this endowed chair. “To God be the glory; great things he is doing.”