The Biola Board of Trustees voted unanimously Friday to break ground for the new Talbot School of Theology building after a month and a half of what’s being called miraculous fundraising. The construction will commence on Thursday, May 20.

“May 2010 will be a time forever captured in the history books of Biola as more than $6.4 million of funding was provided in just 40 days,” wrote President Corey in a letter to the Biola Community.

A number of substantial financial gifts totaling over $6.4 million were donated to the building project during the Great 40 Day Fast for Talbot. Several of the gifts were in excess of $1 million each, according to Corey’s letter.

When the 40 days of fasting and prayer began, Talbot still needed $5 million for the groundbreaking, but after what Corey calls “the Miracle of May 2010,” funding exceeded that amount and the board cleared the groundbreaking.

Talbot raised $15.8 million for the build, which was originally projected to cost $19 million, according to University Advancement.

Next week’s groundbreaking will begin with the Talbot East building, the first piece of a two-phase project. The second phase consists of a remodel of Feinberg Hall, which will house the Institute of Spiritual Formation, as well as the demolition and rebuilding of Myers Hall into the new Talbot West building.

The entire project costs $55.4 million, according to the Biola website.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to break ground before the end of the academic year and have our current students and staff and faculty participate in this celebration,” Corey wrote.

The entire Biola Community is invited to the groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, May 20 at 11:30 a.m. next to Calvary Chapel.

“This story will be told for generations to come,” asserted Corey. “What a mighty God we serve!”