Raising Up the Next Generation

By Bishop Bruce R. Ough  

Early in my episcopacy, I determined one of my primary missional objectives would be to raise up the next generation of faithful, courageous and effective spiritual leaders for the Church and society. I initiated a number of innovative programs (such as a residency for young, promising clergy) and staffing models to achieve this objective in each of the three different conferences I served over my 20 years of active service. 

When friends and colleagues established scholarships in my honor at my retirement, it confirmed for me that others also believed that raising up the next generation of Christian leaders needed to remain a legacy priority. Building on the support we received from friends and colleagues, my wife, Char, and I have now decided to include the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation in our estate plans to ensure this missional priority has perpetual and sustainable support. 

Currently, the Bishop Bruce R. and Char Ough scholarships target undergraduate students who are exploring a call from God to offer their leadership gifts to the Church or their Christian witness to the world through their chosen profession. This is our goal for the recipient of our scholarships and our long-term investment in a “future with hope.”

I am a graduate of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and have been privileged to serve on the Board of Trustees of seven UM-related universities and two UMC seminaries. I am an unapologetic advocate for United Methodist higher education because I have observed, over and over again, how blending a solid liberal arts curriculum with a faith-forming environment provides students with both academic knowledge and purposeful life choices and careers.   

Indeed, this is the hope for both the Church’s mission and our society’s direction.