I grew up in southeastern Virginia where my grandfather was a peanut farmer. Unless you are from there you probably wouldn�t know that the area is one of several laying claim to being the peanut capital of the world. Planters Peanuts called the area home, and for good reason. The dirt was perfect for raising peanuts. Any farmer will tell you that what makes it possible for a certain type of crop to thrive is the soil.

Did you know there are over 19,000 different soil types in the United States? The soil near Waverly, Virginia is loose and sandy, perfect for peanuts. It was an African American farmer, Benjamin Hicks, who invented the production means to harvest peanuts economically from that soil. It was another African American, George Washington Carver, who made the peanut a household staple.

But the story starts with the dirt and the farmer who plows or breaks up that dirt. There are legitimate reasons why a farmer might allow a field to lie �fallow� for a season. For one thing it is the best way for the land to replenish the nutrients that are needed to grow crops. God even prescribed a Sabbath rest for the land, a year of jubilee (Leviticus 25) in which his people were not to sow or reap and the land was to lay fallow.

But ground that remains fallow indefinitely indicates something is wrong. In Hosea 10:12 the prophet speaks to God�s people of a spiritual concern and refers to the fallow ground of their hearts when he says, �Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.�

The appeal to break up fallow ground is the effort of one who loves a person who is not returning that love to awaken and respond. It does not come with pressure but with yearning to send blessing. This is at the heart of the Advancement Department of 91ԭ��. We exist to help others experience the joy and fulfillment of generously investing their lives and resources in extending the kingdom of God.

And this is the picture we want to paint with the theme for the new capital campaign. For many who are reading this, there is no fallow ground. You continue to pour out your love and your generosity toward ���dz�Բ��Dzԙs students in your prayers, your words, your actions, and your financial support. For others, this could be an opportunity to renew an expression of love for ���dz�Բ��Dzԙs students by supporting their needs for scholarships, or through monthly or annual support for the Royal Fund, or through your support of student educational spaces in the new science building.

However you choose to involve yourself, and to whatever degree, breaking ground spiritually and physically is not peanuts!

The post Advancement Feature: Breaking Fallow Ground appeared first on 91ԭ��.

The cheers and the squeak of sneakers are coming to an end for the 2023-2024 basketball season at 91ԭ��. I am actually writing this article at the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament after watching our men defeat Milligan University and waiting for the tip of our women against Pikeville University. The 2023-2024 basketball season will be remembered as a historic year for both programs as the men�s and women�s teams showcased remarkable prowess, determination, and sportsmanship, leaving an indelible mark on the JU athletic legacy. Both teams ended the season with the highest finish since moving to the AAC in 2021.

First-year Head Coach Logan Sharp led the Royals to a 4th place finish in the regular season and walks into postseason play with high aspirations after a 16-12 overall record and 14-10 in conference play. The Royals were led this season by Toris Woods who claimed first team All-AAC while averaging 17.2 points per game. Malique Oates brought in 11.5 ppg and claimed 6.4 rebounds on his way to being named second team All-ACC. The big surprise of the year with quick acclamation was freshman Dallas Carbaugh who won AAC Freshman of the Year after averaging 11.4 ppg. Isaiah Poore was also named to the AAC All-Defensive team.

Men’s and Women’s Basketball finish the season strong

The women�s team, led by second-year Head Coach Bryon Lawhon, also made some history as they finished the season in 5th place with an overall record of 17-12 and 15-7 in AAC play. The Lady Royals were lead by AAC Freshman of the Year and first team All-ACC member Hannah Jones who averaged 17.1 ppg in her first season at 91ԭ��. She was joined on the first All-AAC team by Jordan Heifner who averaged 15.3 ppg and was named to the All-Defensive team. The AAC All-Freshman team also featured Emily Wilson and Bekah Gardner.

While the historic nature of the season is incredible, it is the quality of the teams as members of the 91ԭ�� community that is most impressive. Twelve members of the two teams qualified for the All-Academic teams which is reserved for those with a 3.25 GPA or higher and who have competed more than one year in AAC (we have an additional 13 freshman who are above the 3.25 standard). The teams played with class and determination all season. With two young coaches and young teams, we believe that Royals Basketball is poised to compete in the AAC for some time.

The post Spring 2024 Issue: Tennessee Athletics Update appeared first on 91ԭ��.

Justin (�05) and his wife Shelly (Hess, �06) are the parents of four children. �I met my wife at 91ԭ��,� Justin quips, �like all good students do.� After college, they decided to stay local because they loved the area so much. Consequently, Justin and Shelly are both employed as teachers in local school systems. Residents of Seymour, Justin teaches in the Maryville City School District at Coulter Grove Intermediate School just off Highway 411 on the Seymour side of Maryville while Shelly, who originally worked as the ESL teacher at Sevierville Primary School, carries out her teaching career as an ESL teacher with Seymour Primary and Intermediate Schools.

Justin�s original path was not as a part of the sciences but as a part of the arts since he came to 91ԭ�� to study Radio and Television production under the leadership of Mark (�80) Young. Justin says, �I thought I was going to be the next big Christian music producer in Nashville.� Justin greatly appreciated his professors and holds fond memories of learning communications courses under Young and biblical instruction under Dr. David (�70) Reece. Justin gives a special shout out to Dr. Tommy (�78) Smith for teaching him how to study for tests through the grueling experience of taking Pentateuch under Dr. Smith. Justin laughs at the memory of seeing Dr. Smith a few years later and shares that he took that Pentateuch course the one year that Dr. Smith served as the instructor. Dr. Smith�s response was concise and to the point, �I�m sorry.�

Justin remembers that the academics at 91ԭ�� were much more rigorous than he was prepared to face. Although he completed his degree in under four years thanks to dual enrollment opportunities afforded him in high school, he struggled to find his stride on the college level. He was well-prepared for further biblical education thanks to his upbringing in a Christian home and attendance at Christian schools. However, he was not so prepared for the rigors of biblical higher education. �It was a big transition during my freshman year at 91ԭ��. I had to learn some hard lessons, and I had to learn study skills.�

After completing his studies in Media Communications, Justin and Shelly spent a summer helping Justin�s dad, Keith (�86) Warner, at Butler Springs Christian Camp. That fall, Shelly returned to 91ԭ�� to continue her degree in Teacher Education and Justin started his work in radio by serving three Knoxville area Christian radio stations.

As with almost any new talent entering the radio market, he had to take the job nobody else wanted. He served as the Weekend Operator in charge of programing for all three stations. �It was a neat experience. The hours were terrible. The pay might have been even worse.� The experience just didn�t work out as Justin had hoped, and he quickly grew tired of missing church and being the guy in charge of holiday programming. During this time, he found various weekday employment gigs and one of his coworkers encouraged him to get into substitute teaching.

Based on his experience with kids during his time growing up at Butler Springs Christian Camp, Justin thought this might be a good way to supplement his income. He found abundant opportunities as a substitute teacher with Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Elementary School in East Knoxville. They grew to appreciate Justin�s work and invited him to be a daily substitute. He was subsequently encouraged to pursue a post-baccalaureate degree in teaching which he earned from Lincoln Memorial University in 2008. This propelled Justin�s journey from being the next great producer of Christian music to his current vocation as a teacher of science and social studies with Maryville City Schools.

�The best thing that came out of COVID�is that churches are now streaming their worship services.� Justin says that this has opened doors of conversation with his students as they find clips of Justin participating in the worship services at Seymour Heights Christian Church. This opens up opportunities for Justin to have organic conversations with his students about matters of faith. There aren�t any prohibitions against him having such conversations in his school. In fact, part of Justin�s social studies curriculum is to study ancient world history through the lens of the Apostle Paul.

Although he never would have planned his journey as it unfolded, Justin is using his 91ԭ�� foundation of arts and sciences to extend the Lord�s kingdom in the world of education. He is a worship leader, schoolteacher, basketball coach, husband, and father. His greatest encouragement for others is to remember who they are and whose they are.

The post On Mission: Justin Warner (’05) appeared first on 91ԭ��.

Noted theologian and philosopher J.P. Moreland wrote, �Far from fearing science and what it will reveal, I regularly pray that God will send many Christians into the sciences to conduct their work and make discoveries with humble Christian confidence.�¹�� Moreland urges parents and Christian educators to equip the next generation with intellectual and theological foundations for the pursuit of God�s truth, which is evidenced in God�s creation and discovered, in part, through scientific pursuits.�� ��

Science reveals the building blocks of God�s creation, illuminating his intricate design and inexhaustible glory. As the Psalmist wrote, �The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders� (Ps. 65:8). We study creation because this study leads us to worship the Creator more passionately and serve him more faithfully.

For these reasons, Ashley and Emma 91ԭ�� included extensive study of the sciences in the early curriculum of 91ԭ��, offering courses in physiology, botany, physics, zoology, chemistry, and similar fields. In 1924, they opened a science lab that served students for the following forty years.

The new science building at 91ԭ�� will further this legacy and enable us to better equip students to deepen their relationships with God and to pursue their mission for God. The building will facilitate growth in science-related programs, such as our A.S. in Health Sciences and B.S. in Life Sciences, which includes biology, fitness science, and pre-professional concentrations. Additionally, the building will provide more and better learning opportunities for all students, as they complete requirements in the natural sciences through the core curriculum.

The building will include new labs for biology, chemistry, physics, and anatomy. These labs, along with new classrooms and additional spaces, will be designed to facilitate collaborative, hands-on learning and research under the guidance of our faculty.

The need is significant, and the possibilities are exciting. Graduates trained in this facility will take the truth and grace of Christ to the world through nursing, research, microbiology, physical therapy, and other science-related fields. Graduates in fields such as preaching, missions, counseling, education, business, and media arts will understand the world more intricately and engage it more effectively because their education included significant study in a state-of-the-art science facility.

The new science building will help propel 91ԭ�� into the next generation, enabling us to more effectively educate students for Christian ministries and other strategic vocations, framed by the Great Commission, in order to extend the kingdom of God among all nations.

___________________________

¹ Scientism and Secularism: Learning to Respond to a Dangerous Ideology. Wheaton IL: CrossWay, 2018, p 22.

The post Science in Pursuit of God and His Mission appeared first on 91ԭ��.

Every academic program, co-curricular activity, and even physical space on campus must find its foundation, content, and goal in this mission. Any project, therefore, begins with the question, �How does this fulfill the mission of 91ԭ��?� It is thus with a new science building on campus.

The essential task of extending the kingdom (reign, rule) of God among all nations begins with effectively communicating the good news of redemption, reconciliation, and recreation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This is the �power of God for salvation to everyone who believes� (Romans 1:16) and the hope of the world. The work of 91ԭ��, therefore, is to equip students to accomplish faithfully this Great Commission.

From an academic, curricular perspective, we do this by employing a three-fold approach centering on God�s Word, God�s world, and God�s work.�� All undergraduate students complete a major (30+ credits) in Bible and theology, a substantive and systematic study of the Scriptures that grounds students in a biblical worldview. The Bible major is surrounded by an extensive course of study in the arts and sciences. Students complete courses in the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, the arts, mathematics, and communication not only to enable them to understand God�s Word but also to engage God�s world. Without an understanding of the historical, political, economic, social, scientific, and philosophical elements of human society, students cannot effectively communicate the Gospel to their cultural contexts. Professional studies (the third component) are designed to equip students in Christian ministries or other strategic vocations, placing them in areas deemed critical for communicating the Gospel. This area of the curriculum�God�s work�educates students for meaningful work, enabling them to earn a living while pursuing their passion for Christian service.

The study of the sciences at 91ԭ�� finds a place at the table in all three areas of the curriculum. The Great Commission mandate requires not only a solid foundation in the Scriptures but also an understanding of human communities and the natural world:

� A scientific perspective pervades contemporary culture and effective servants of Christ must be conversant with that perspective.

� The 91ԭ�� graduate must understand scientific approaches and concepts in order to evaluate claims made by science, comprehend complex social and philosophical issues, and communicate meaningfully with others, especially those in need of the Gospel.

� There are many opportunities for strategic vocations that emerge from the sciences.

� Science is the study of God�s great handiwork, and is a pathway not only to knowledge but also to worship and praise of the Creator.

A healthy perspective on the value of science is a key component of a Christian biblical worldview. This perspective has been very carefully cultivated by the science faculty at 91ԭ�� and has been well-expressed by Dr. Sarah Cathey, Professor of Natural Science and Associate Dean of Arts & Sciences for Sciences at 91ԭ��:

�We are scientists who are unanimous in our view of the created world as God�s handiwork, made with intent and out of his great love. We believe that as the world is God�s handiwork, honest seeking for truth affords us the privilege of learning more about the Creator�s existence, goodness, and purposes. From this position, we are not fearful of teaching about the current state of scientific knowledge in the mainstream. The science faculty are committed to presenting the current status of each of our fields of inquiry�biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, nursing, exercise science, etc.�in order to prepare 91ԭ�� students to interact with others in the public as ministry leaders and servants across other vocations.�� We also acknowledge and teach that �scientific knowledge� is constantly in flux as new evidence arises, and that critical thinking is crucial in their training as educated Christians.

As a science faculty, we do not avoid discussing topics that may interact with our faith. Rather, we engage and acknowledge the world as we embrace the opportunity to know God better through his Word and through his created world, as faithful Christians who are scientists (Romans 1:20-21). The science faculty rely on conversation and interdisciplinary team teaching with our fellow faculty with expertise in biblical text, interpretation, and theology to assist us in presenting topics where faith and science intersect. Together, we carefully and intentionally walk alongside students as they weigh how faith intersects with challenging topics as they grow in personal faith and prepare for their strategic vocations, including full-time ministry.�

The new science facility on the campus of 91ԭ�� will not only strongly support the teaching of the sciences that is so important in cultivating a biblical worldview in our students but will give us more opportunities to expand the scope and effectiveness of fulfilling our mission:�� extending the kingdom of God among all nations.

The post How does a new science building fulfill the mission of 91ԭ��? appeared first on 91ԭ��.

In all three of my teaching disciplines�speech, Biblical studies, and leadership studies�the word �apology� has a meaning that does not involve saying, �I�m sorry.� An apology is a formal defense or justification of a particular belief or practice. In so many ways, my life and career have been an apology for Stone-Campbell movement Christian higher education. My first two degrees were earned at independent Christian church institutions; I have taught and led at two Christian church institutions; I have consulted with others; and I have observed many of them from a distance.

I currently serve as executive vice president at 91ԭ�� Florida. I am the third (and final) of three administrators who have served and led ���dz�Բ��Dzԙs Florida campus over the decade of ���dz�Բ��Dzԙs operation in Kissimmee.

I came to Christian church higher ed leadership 10 years ago after 25 years of church ministry and 10 years of teaching and leading in a state college. But the 35 years it took me to arrive in Christian higher ed were excellent preparation for what I consider my life�s calling�to serve and lead in higher education institutions that seek (as 91ԭ�� phrases it) �to educate students for Christian ministry and other strategic vocations framed by the Great Commission in order to extend the kingdom of God among all nations.�

That mission�at 91ԭ�� and at other like-minded institutions�is so very important to the future of the church. It pains me to see another institution of the Christian church close its doors. It pains me even more to admit that it is the one I lead.

So how do I feel about what�s happening? What are my observations?

I believe 91ԭ�� has done some things exceedingly well in Florida. We have graduated more than 300 students in the �91ԭ�� years� in Kissimmee, adding to the thousands who graduated from our predecessor institution. While over a hundred of those have graduated from our ministry programs, I am just as proud of those who are now involved in the marketplace as Christians working in business, counseling, education, and other strategic vocations.

I am proud of the diversity of our Florida campus. Over the last decade, the students at 91ԭ�� Florida have come to look much more like the students of the state in which we are located. This fall, approximately seven in ten JUFL students are students of color. Just two years ago, the campus achieved the 25% Latino benchmark necessary to become a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). The young people of growing Christian churches across Florida are a diverse group, and I am proud that JUFL students reflect that diversity.

Unfortunately, we did not experience a breakthrough in student recruitment. We have accomplished many of the items on my �to do� list for the Florida campus. We have not, however, achieved what we needed to in recruitment. Enrollment had been up and down for a number of years, and then the pandemic hit. We had two extremely small freshman classes in 2020 and 2021, and 2022 was only slightly improved. The progress we needed to make on increasing enrollment did not materialize.

Serving at 91ԭ�� Florida has been a personal blessing. I have been honored to follow in the footsteps of David Eubanks and Michael Chambers as the on-site leader of the Florida campus. I have known Dr. Eubanks since I was a teenager, and I am grateful for the encouragement I have received from both of these capable leaders. Needless to say, I have appreciated the opportunity to lead alongside my friend and ���dz�Բ��Dzԙs president, Tommy Smith.

With no personal history in Florida, getting to know the churches and ministers of this state has been a profound blessing. As of this writing, I have made 188 visits to 102 different churches since arriving in Kissimmee in May 2020.

Along with so many of our students, staff, and stakeholders, I am grieving. My wife and I have devoted a full measure of effort to this educational ministry, and we regret to see it close. The importance of Christian higher education, however, is not diminished.

Faith, prayer, and work continue�maybe not for much longer at 1011 Bill Beck Boulevard, but certainly at 7900 91ԭ�� Drive. It is important work that deserves our enthusiastic and faithful support.

The post Reflections on JUFL: Marvin Elliott appeared first on 91ԭ��.

Pete made his way to Florida Christian College as a freshman in 1991. As a sophomore, he started courting the former Heather (�96) Mize and they were married in the spring of Pete�s junior year. During that same year, Pete did a youth ministry internship with Central Christian Church in Ocala, Florida. Central Christian offered Pete a full-time youth ministry position during his senior year.

Growing up, Pete attributes his growth in faith to the influence of 1981 Central Florida Bible College graduate Bobby Smith. Bobby influenced several students toward ministry preparation at the Kissimmee campus and Pete is just one student who pursued ministry because of the Smith family�s influence.

Pete always envisioned himself as a youth minister and never imagined he would serve the church in any other capacity. His vocational journey includes youth and family ministries in Ocala, Jacksonville, and Fort Myers, Florida. The Ramseys also spent eight years at First Christian Church in Kernersville, North Carolina where Pete led middle school, high school, and family ministries. The Ramseys planned to stay at First Christian until 2017, when the elders at Englewood asked him to consider a return to the church as their new senior minister.

�I NEVER wanted to be a senior pastor or preacher,” Pete says. He always wanted to be the guy behind the scenes and he felt that was his area of giftedness. He could take on leadership duties when necessary, but it was not something he envisioned doing as a lead minister.

If it were �any other person� than the elder who contacted Pete or �any other church� than Englewood, Pete says he would not have given the invitation a second thought. However, because it was Englewood, Pete and Heather were willing to listen for the Lord�s guidance. Ultimately, they were convinced this was the right move and they made their way back to Englewood in 2017. Pete serves as the congregation�s lead minister.

Pete credits the Englewood congregation with being a model of how the church should function. The congregation ministered to Pete and Heather through various joys and trials during the family�s first seven years of ministry in Jacksonville. “The people were loving, surrounding, and encouraging,” he says. “Not just sympathy but empathy. They felt our pain.� He says, �Our marriage would not have survived several challenges if we had been at any other church. This place is special.�

Pete is an example of the significant legacy of the Florida campus. After reflecting on his 30+ years in ministry so far, Pete�s one bit of advice to others in ministry is to emphasize being a servant. He says, �The moment you feel like you are too important to move tables and chairs, you need to find something else to do because you have lost your priority about why you are doing what you are doing.�

Listen to Pete�s full interview as well as interviews with other alumni by visiting the .

The post On Mission: Pete Ramsey (’95) appeared first on 91ԭ��.

Collaborating with the Evangelical Church of San Nicolas and pastor Norman Browne was instrumental in ensuring the success of this trip. Because of this local church, the team led a successful soccer camp, toured the island, and enjoyed an authentic Aruban meal.

The heart of the mission trip was centered around empowering local youth through soccer. On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday morning, kids gathered around the soccer field as they excitedly waited for camp to start. Each day, the children had the opportunity to work on technical skills and team play and, most importantly, had fun playing the sport they love. Despite diverse backgrounds and languages, the common love for soccer provided a platform for meaningful interactions. Through shared experiences on the field, players and coaches transcended their differences and forged connections that went beyond the game.

During their stay, the Lady Royals clinched two victories in training scrimmages against S.V. Brittania and the Aruba Women’s National Team. When not on the soccer field, the players and coaches spent time hiking the second-highest peak on the island and visiting the beautiful beaches. On the last night of the trip, the team enjoyed an Aruban meal hosted by members of the church.

As the trip came to an end, it was clear it had left an unforgettable mark on the team and the Aruban community. The relationships built, the skills shared, and the memories created will continue to resonate. The success of this trip serves as a testament to the power of sports in bringing about positive change. Aruba will forever hold a special place in the hearts of those who embarked on this journey, a testament to the enduring power of sport in making the world a better place.

The post Tennessee Athletics Update appeared first on 91ԭ��.

During the December 2012 annual meeting of our regional accrediting association, Bill Behrman, president of Florida Christian College (FCC), and I headed to lunch together. Out of the blue he asked: �What would you think about 91ԭ�� Florida?� I was taken aback by the question. We had spent 11 months, ending the previous September, in conversations with another sister school about a merger/acquisition, which ended without success. It was hard work added to the normal tasks of the school year. We had delayed updating our strategic plan and preparing for our next accreditation report, leaving much work to do. I replied to Behrman�s question: �Thank you, dear brother, but I think I would be hung in effigy if I suggested starting another merger/acquisition discussion!� He was disappointed in my answer but responded with his typical Christian grace.

A few weeks later, in January 2013, L. D. Campbell, chair of the JU board, called me, recounting a recent conversation he had with Jim Book, chair of the FCC board, affirming that if 91ԭ�� acquired FCC, the board would �step out of the way the next day� and support the merger. Book later said that he would consider JUFL second only to his congregation in Kissimmee in terms of his support. Campbell asked me to call Book and at least listen to his proposal.

Several salient issues impacted such a decision: mission fit, finances, accreditation, and local support.

���dz�Բ��Dzԙs mission, �To educate students for Christian ministries and other strategic vocations framed by the Great Commission in order to extend the kingdom of God among all nations,� was inclusive of the FCC mission, which focused more narrowly on church vocations. Church vocational ministry has always been the largest major of 91ԭ�� and it continued to be at JUFL. Significantly more scholarship assistance has historically supported these majors and that continued at JUFL.

Of course, finances are always a major consideration for mergers/acquisitions. FCC had a long history of annual deficits, spending more each year than the income covered. In fact, the school had lost its accreditation in 2013 largely because of financial instability. Bank loans and other indebtedness amounted to $10,000,000. 91ԭ�� had the capacity to cover those debts and to make needed maintenance on the property as well as construct a $4,470,000 Commons building. These financial improvements resulted in an appraisal of $24,000,000, almost double the amount in 2013.

It was necessary to ensure that JUFL gain accreditation, which would enable students to qualify for federal assistance (e.g., Pell Grants) as well as other forms of financial income. The process for accreditation for separate campuses occasions great scrutiny by the regional association and a commitment of time and resources of the home institution. 91ԭ�� achieved this accreditation without stipulation. In fact, it was reported to me that the executive director of our regional accrediting agency said in a meeting in a neighboring state discussing the possibility of small colleges considering mergers: �If you want to know how to do mergers, talk to the folks at 91ԭ��. They do mergers right!�

The challenge of local support: Who better to engender local support in Florida than David and Margaret Eubanks? They agreed to move to the Florida campus �for a few months� until things settled in. The few months stretched to �after Christmas,� �after Easter,� one year, two years! They are well-known among many old friends of 91ԭ�� who live in the region. They traveled almost weekly to congregations, introducing JUFL. If I was told once, twice, more times than I can remember: �The smartest thing you�ve done since you�ve been president was to send the Eubanks to Florida!� I replied I don�t send them anywhere; I meekly ask them, �Would you consider going�?� Their involvement helped to garner local support among many congregations.

Why did the merger not work?

We may need more distance before answering that question adequately. Some possibilities quickly come to mind: the difficulty of merging institutions that have different cultural heritages; not adapting adequately to the rapidly growing Latino environment; the loss of some local support we had anticipated; or our inability to identify and cultivate mission-aligned pools of students.

The good news is that 1022 students received a quality Christian education in JUFL�s eleven-year history; 326 (with one more class to go) graduated with more than a third majoring in congregational ministry; and we are not likely to have lost any value of our net financial assets.

The post Reflections on JUFL: Gary Weedman appeared first on 91ԭ��.

In February 2013, shortly after 91ԭ���s Board of Trustees favorably accepted the request of Florida Christian College�s board to bring FCC into 91ԭ��, Margaret and I were asked to come out of retirement and help bring about this reality on the Florida campus. We stayed there two and a half years, living on campus in a married student apartment among the students and some of the staff, greatly enjoying and benefiting from their fellowship. We soon became closely involved with the service of the devoted and capable people who worked there, some of whom had given themselves tirelessly and unreservedly for decades to the ongoing development of the institution since its inception as Central Florida Bible College.

In the course of our time there, I travelled throughout most of Florida, preaching in more than 80 churches and visiting alumni and friends. Margaret quaintly called these Sundays away our “enjoyable day trips,” although some of them were revivals or weekend appointments. My mission was to thank these churches and individuals for their goodwill and support, to assure them of the integrity of our efforts to restore 91ԭ�� Florida to essential financial stability and to grow the enrollment, to ask them for their financial support so vital to the success of our efforts, and to assure them of our commitment to continue serving the Florida churches.

Some FCC friends I had known for years, even decades, some from previous preaching engagements in the state and others from their attendance at Senior Saints in Smokies on the Tennessee campus. We grew to love and appreciate these stakeholders who had played such a vital role in sustaining FCC for years, in many cases from its beginning. Two of them, now both widows, come to my mind as I write these lines. Both of them, with their husbands, were among the individuals and churches that helped found CFBB and have supported it generously down through FCC and JUFL to the present time, continuing even after their husbands died. We have visited them several times, even after leaving our work there, and admire, love, and appreciate them so much. They both created scholarship endowments at JUFL to help needy students receive an education to serve the Lord more effectively. They, like us, are deeply disappointed that our long-term goals for JUFL have not been realized, but they appreciate and value the tireless work that has been done by so many people on both campuses to achieve those goals. They both assure me they will continue to support 91ԭ��, giving to enlarge those funds so that even more students can pursue their education to serve the Lord.

The positive reality is that the multiplied millions of dollars that have been expended, added to the thousands of hours given by administrators, faculty, and staff on both campuses, have not been in vain. According to Romans 8:28, God works in all things for the good of those who love and serve him, and he has surely been working through JUFL. The legacy of Florida Christian College was extended for eleven more years, three hundred students have graduated, and hundreds more have attended for some years without completing degrees. Only God knows what those students are doing or will do to extend God’s kingdom and glorify his name.

We are earnestly and prayerfully asking JUFL churches, alumni, and friends to continue their support of 91ԭ��, like the two women I mentioned earlier. 91ԭ�� is the oldest college/university of its kind (founded in 1893) among Christian churches/churches of Christ, requiring a Bible & Theology major of all bachelor’s degree students and giving major emphasis to educating students for preaching and other congregational ministries and world missions as well as counseling, education, nursing, and other vocations.

It is not without note that during the last two or three decades a substantial number of our colleges and a much larger number of other private colleges throughout the nation have closed. We live in a culture where it has become increasingly difficult to recruit students for Christian service. Schools like 91ԭ�� do not receive the state funding for operational expenses and building construction that is so vital to public universities and community colleges with whom we are competing for students.

If all of our colleges were forced to close due to substantial financial deficits and a declining enrollment, as will happen to 91ԭ�� Florida at the end of June, where will ministers and missionaries be educated? Is not a university like 91ԭ��, whose mission is �to educate students for Christian ministries and other strategic vocations framed by the Great Commission in order to extend the kingdom of God to all nations” worthy of support?

The post Reflections on JUFL: David Eubanks appeared first on 91ԭ��.