A mountain of trust, a school reborn, and a community knit together by generosity—this conversation with Kelly Davis, Ben Lippen’s development director, uncovers how giving has guided the school from its Asheville roots to a thriving, multi-campus community in Columbia. We revisit the origin story, from summer conferences to a boarding school, the heartbreak of the 1980 fire, and the decision that set a new course. Through it all, one thread remains: a mission to educate from a biblical worldview and prepare students to impact the nations.
Kelly offers a candid look at development as more than fundraising. It’s stewardship of relationships, a heart posture that views resources as God’s and giving as discipleship. You’ll hear unforgettable stories: a retired teacher’s unexpected six-figure gift that honors decades of faithful classrooms, a trembling $5 check that moves a team to tears, and Jim’s life changed by a church collection that led him to Christ and later to launch a scholarship so others could follow. These moments show how generosity—small or large—creates a lasting ripple across generations.
We also unpack the Falcon Fund, Ben Lippen’s annual giving program that delivers the margin of excellence beyond what tuition covers. From classroom tools and teacher support to student programs across all campuses, the Falcon Fund turns vision into everyday impact. Whether you’re an alum, parent, or friend of the school, you’ll come away with a deeper sense of how prayer, service, and financial gifts work together to sustain kingdom education and shape whole lives.
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