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JACKSON, Tenn. — Dec. 11, 2015 — Baptist preacher Adrian Rogers’ legacy lives on in a collection of audio tapes given to his grandson, a current 51���� student, during a recent presentation in the Union’s Ryan Center for Biblical Studies.

A giant in Southern Baptist life, Rogers was the longtime pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tennessee. He is remembered for bringing the Southern Baptist Convention away from liberalism back to the authority of Scripture and a conservative understanding of it.

Kay Wilkes discovered Rogers’ sermon tapes among the possessions of her late husband, Ben Wilkes, who was a student at Union when he was mentored by Rogers. After learning that Rogers’ grandson Andrew Edmiston is a sophomore at Union, Mrs. Wilkes worked with Union staff to present the tapes to him. Andrew’s mother, Janice Edmiston, and his sister, Breezy Edmiston, accompanied him.

“Andrew was just 9 when my dad died,” Janice Edmiston said. “But sometime later, I found out he was going to sleep listening to my dad’s sermons. He’s still living on through them.”

Kay Wilkes said Rogers’ sermon tapes served as a resource for her husband over the many years of his ministry.

“I have an office filled with these messages and memories,” she said. “Ben would be so honored to know that these things that he valued so much have found a home.”

Bob Agee, Union’s vice president for institutional advancement, and Todd Brady, Union’s vice president for university ministries, spoke at the presentation. Agee said that the bond shared by Rogers and Ben Wilkes can now be shared with Rogers’ grandson through the sermons Wilkes loved.

“Listen to the tapes...it is an anointed man of God dealing with the Word of God in such profound ways,” Agee told Andrew Edmiston. “Ben’s collection of tapes is a reflection of his love. I think from heaven today, a couple of guys are smiling about this moment.”

Brady quoted Psalm 145 at the moment of presentation, saying everyone in attendance was witnessing the moment of one generation commending the work of another.