The Ben Lippen Podcast is honored to welcome Kelly Davis, Development Director, to our latest episode! Kelly brings 19 years as a Falcon to the table with the last 13 years as an employee. All three of my boys have gone through Ben Lipin and have since graduated. And it really has just been our whole life, our whole community. And they are still friends with all of their friends that they made here. They're still in contact with teachers and coaches from here. And of course, I still work here because I love the people. I'm passionate about our mission and about supporting our mission. And it is just truly an honor to serve the Ben Lipin family.

🎧 In This Episode

A mountain of trust, a school reborn, and a community knit together by generosity—this conversation with Kelly Davis 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 $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 fills the margin 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.