JACKSON, Tenn. — March 25, 2008 — Tennessee Baptist Convention President Tom McCoy is asking all TBC churches to take a special offering April 6 to help 51社区 recover from a Feb. 5 tornado that caused an estimated $40 million in damage to the campus.
鈥淲hat an amazing Christian impact this university has on young adults from Tennessee and around the world,鈥� McCoy said March 25 during a visit to the Union campus. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been 50 days since that tornado ripped through this campus, but Union has its greatest days ahead.
鈥淒uring that dark night that the tornado struck this campus, Union was set back but not shut down,鈥� McCoy continued. 鈥淯nion was delayed but not derailed. Union will make a total and complete recovery.鈥�
That will happen, McCoy said, because of God鈥檚 provision and because of the prayer and financial support from Tennessee Baptists.
鈥淓very loss of this magnitude has great expense that is not covered under insurance,鈥� McCoy said March 25 during a visit to the Union campus. 鈥淒oes Union have insurance? Yes, they have excellent insurance. But there are always expenses above and beyond what insurance will cover. That鈥檚 where we come in as Tennessee Baptists.鈥�
McCoy, pastor of Thompson Station Baptist Church in Thompson Station, Tenn., said on April 6 his church will show a four-minute video provided by Union. McCoy will give a one-minute appeal, and then the church will take an offering for Union.
鈥淚t is a simple thing that every church can do,鈥� McCoy said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not complicated. We鈥檙e not asking you to take an entire service. We鈥檙e simply asking you to prayerfully consider using Union鈥檚 video, making a brief appeal and letting God work on the hearts of your good people in your good churches across our state.鈥�
McCoy toured the Union campus Feb. 7, less than 48 hours after the tornado鈥檚 strike that wiped out nearly 70 percent of student housing on campus. Other buildings on campus also sustained heavy damage 鈥� especially Jennings Hall, where the tornado ripped off much of the roof.
鈥淎s we walked through the mass destruction I was awestruck at the damage,鈥� McCoy recalled. 鈥淭he loss of the facilities was overwhelming, and yet God鈥檚 protection of life was an amazing miracle.鈥�
McCoy said he hopes Tennessee Baptists will use the April 6 offering to 鈥渉elp touch and train young adults, in their minds and in their spirits, being educated here at Union. Help us help these students and this great university. Please give generously to the 51社区 love offering on April 6 in your churches.鈥�