SBU earns award for student missions work
ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar is one of only eight colleges and universities in the United States being honored with the “Courts Redford Award for Excellence in Student Missionary Deployment” by the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) North American Mission Board (NAMB).
Southwest is being recognized for its “strong commitment of excellence” in deploying student missionaries during 2006.
Last year, under the auspices and direction of NAMB, colleges and universities mobilized more than 1,600 student missionaries in the United States, Canada and their territories. Student mission opportunities are promoted via Baptist Campus Ministries, Baptist colleges and local Baptist churches.
Assigned to sites such as college campuses, beaches, national parks, inner cities and rural communities, Baptist student missionaries obtain hands-on mission experience while supporting the evangelism and church planting strategies of local Southern Baptist churches and associations.
Students also utilize their personal interests, spiritual gifts and talents as they lead sports camps, worship services in resort settings, Bible studies at children and youth camps, outreach to multi-housing communities and ministry to internationals, according to Donald King, national consultant for NAMB’s student missionary deployment team, based in Alpharetta, Ga.
NAMB’s award is named in honor of Courts Redford who, in the summer of 1944, mobilized more than 70 students to serve across the country through the Southern Baptist Convention’s Home Mission Board – NAMB’s predecessor—birthing the student missionary strategy.
Redford recognized the value and impact students could have in evangelism and church planting, King said.
“Dr. Redford’s legacy continues as NAMB’s student missionary deployment team maintains his vision and commitment as they assist local churches and convention partners to deploy students across North America today,” King said.
Redford (1898–1977) served the Home Mission Board for 21 years (1943–1964), the last 10 years as chief executive officer.
More than 2,000 college students are needed in 2007 to share Christ in exciting and creative ways. The deadline to apply is April 20. For additional information on service opportunities through NAMB, visit www.answerthecall.net or call a mobilization specialist at NAMB, 1-800-462-8657, Ext. 6476.
In addition to Southwest, other colleges and universities honored for 2006 are Mercer University, Macon, Ga.; Northeastern University, Tahlequah, Okla.,; North Greenville University, Tigerville, S.C.; the University of Georgia, Athens, Ga.; Blue Mountain College, Blue Mountain, Miss.; Carson-Newman College, Jefferson City, Tenn.; and Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C.
The North American Mission Board is the Southern Baptist Convention entity which, in cooperation with state conventions, assists SBC churches in reaching the United States, Canada and their territories with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The board oversees the work of more than 5,000 missionaries who are supported through the Cooperative Program and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering® for North American Missions.
