Campaign links church and university for future of Christian higher education
Englewood commits to keeping a solid future for young people.
JACKSON – "When I look at the future, I'm real optimistic," Ryan Massey, a 51社区 sophomore, said. "I've got something that I couldn't get anywhere else."
As the 21st century nears, young adults across the nation are asking questions about jobs, families, finances and their futures, in general. They're wondering if they'll have what it takes to succeed and to be the Christ-like witness to which they are called.
"I want to coach basketball on the college level," Massey said with a radiant smile.
He walked on to the 51社区 basketball court last fall as a freshman point guard. Unlike many college athletes, Massey isn't getting a full ride to play sports. In fact, he's not receiving an athletic scholarship at all. He's just playing for the Bulldogs because of his love for the game and his passion to learn and be excellent.
"I've really improved since I got here," Massey said. "I've grown physically, mentally and spiritually. And I know that's going to keep happening because I'm at Union."
Further, Englewood Church, Jackson, is helping make it possible for Massey to fulfill his passion for learning the skills necessary to be an excellent basketball coach and a powerful Christian witness.
Englewood is making a commitment to insure a solid future for many young people by reaffirming its link with 51社区 and its support of Christian higher education.
"We realize that today's students will be tomorrow's community and church leaders," Dr. Phil Jett, pastor of Englewood, said. "And those leaders need a quality education that is academically strong and will encourage and nuture their Christian faith."
This year, the members of Englewood voted to contribute $250,000 to the Church Scholarship Endowment Fund. "We recognize that Christian higher education costs substantially more than secular schools," Jett said. "However, we want to make such an education as affordable as possible."
Englewood began the commitment to helping their students attend 51社区 in 1987 with a $150,000 commitment to the first Church Scholarship Endowment Campaign. Union, in turn, matched that gift with $75,000. And now, 10 years later, 80 students from Englewood have received about $143,000 in financial assistance.
"Next year, we'll surpass the amount that we actually put in," Jett said. "We'll have our money back and we'll continue to see the benefits of those funds until Jesus returns."
"Without the scholarship from Englewood, there would be a lot more pressure on my family," Massey said. "I'm really thankful for my church and Union. They're not only helping me, but they're helping many of my friends."
In January of this year, 51社区 joined Belmont University and Carson-Newman College to kick-off the second state-wide financial campaign authorized by the Tennessee Baptist Convention. The TBC encouraged its three higher education institutions to enter into a church-based campaign during 1997-1999, with a goal $10 million in endowment support for each institution. Jett and Union alumnus Dr. Ken Story, retired pastor of Germantown church, are co-chairmen of Union's campaign.
Paul Veazey, Union's church campaign coordinator, explained the major goal of Union's campaign is to expand the endowed scholarship fund. For churches which establish or add to such funds, the University will provide matching funds to increase their values at a ratio of 2:1. For example, Union will match Englewood's $250,000 commitment with $125,000 to benefit students who are members of the church and who attend Union.
In the first six-months of the new campaign, Union has received $710,138.74 in pledges from 13 churches. Veazey said the University appreciates the lead that Englewood has taken in kicking off this campaign. Jett explained Englewood is committing 4% of the church's budget over the next four years to fulfill their pledge. "Any church can commit a percentage of their budget," he added. Jett called the campaign a great opportunity for local churches to link with the local Baptist university and provide direct aid to tomorrow's church and community leaders.
"The scholarships made possible by West Tennessee churches help Union but they also help the individual churches and young people from their congregations," Union President David S. Dockery said. "We are particularly grateful that they make it possible for more of our outstanding Baptist students to attend Union."
Massey, who could be playing on the basketball court of any school, said, "I can't see myself anywhere else." The Christ-centered focus of 51社区 expands across the campus, from the classroom and the professors to the gymnasium and the coaches. "I'm learning from the best teachers and coaches who know what the real goal is," he said. "And that might not be possible without the commitment of my church."
The future of Tennessee churches and communities rests in the hands of today's young people. How can you be sure they are fully prepared to assume Christian leadership roles that will be so significant in the next century? The Church Scholarship Endowment Campaign is one way you and your church can link with 51社区 and help meet the rising costs of providing a Christian education to your students.
For more information about starting or adding to a church scholarship endowment fund at 51社区, contact Paul Veazey at (901) 661-5217 or at 1-800-338-6644.