In Spring 2022, seven siblings established an endowment at Central College to honor their parents – Allan and Grace Braskamp. That endowment is now spreading joy through community outreach and mission work.

The Allan and Grace Braskamp Family Endowment for Purpose, Meaning and Faith supports Central’s student development programs. Funding supports initiatives and faith-based activities in a manner that is inclusive.

Joe Brummel, Central’s chaplain, shared the guidelines developed for the Braskamp endowment, stating, “Our plan is to use this wonderful gift to address our mission to make, grow and send disciples of Jesus Christ. We hope to use this gift to love and evangelize the lost; mature and deepen the faith of current disciples; and reach the nations with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“By using our mission statement to guide the distribution of the funds, we will aid students in their ‘purpose, meaning and faith.’ Our hope is to address each aspect throughout the year,” Brummel says.

This past academic year Central’s campus ministries team hosted outreach activities for the campus community and beyond. Men’s and women’s retreats were held for students on campus and over Spring Break 2023, groups traveled to Annville, Kentucky, and Staten Island, New York. Students helped stock and work in food pantries, gave away food and warm weather gear, placed siding on a house, remodeled a barn, sorted and worked in a thrift store and worshiped with unhoused residents.

With the Allan and Grace Braskamp Family Endowment for Purpose, Meaning and Faith, a group of 14 members from campus ministries traveled to Kigoma, Tanzania, to serve alongside Hope of the Nations.

“An open mind enables a joyful generosity of spirit that lifts us all toward freedom and grace,” Brummel says. “We seek to open minds and demonstrate empathy for others through our work. We are so thankful for financial support as our students work to make a difference in the world.”