A worthy, pressing need at Southwestern
Christian hearts often are touched by the suffering, plight or loss of fellow Christians. The willingness of brothers and sisters to help generously always has been inspiring!
We love to give to those who are truly in need. It fulfills something important in all of us and supports others who are serving the Lord in special ways.
Just in recent weeks, we have seen the tremendous caring and compassion of Christians in the South who have ministered to their fellow church members and non-Christian neighbors alike after killer tornadoes.
It’s the same kind of Christian response that was so prevalent nationally after Hurricane Katrina two-and-a-half years ago, and after the deadly California wildfires just months ago.
We in Churches of Christ are the kind of people who can’t help but give of our time and money when we see people in need — particularly when the images of their distress bombard us on our television screens.
But occasionally, a calamity that should draw our attention may go unnoticed, either because it does not make headlines or because it does not seem to concern us.
With that in mind, we at The Christian Chronicle want to make sure to focus your attention on a special need of our brothers and sisters at Southwestern Christian College in Terrell, Texas.
A news story that starts on Page 1 tells the tragic story of a devastating fire in the early hours of Sunday, Jan. 27, that destroyed two key buildings on that campus. Those buildings were the heart and life of the historically black college.
Because of racial issues that often divided our churches in the past, many of us may not be as familiar with Southwestern Christian as we are with other Christian colleges.
But now seems a most appropriate time to demonstrate our unity in Christ by helping Southwestern in its time of peril. This is an opportunity to move beyond our divisive past and join hands in a united effort to rebuild.
The fire marshal estimated the loss of the buildings at $1.3 million and the contents at an additional $500,000. The loss is enormous for the 227-student college, which may be small in size
but definitely is large in the role it plays in our fellowship.
Why is Southwestern Christian College so important? Because it educates young men and women in a spiritual and moral context.
Southwestern leaders estimate that more that half of all predominantly black congregations have preachers, elders, deacons and their wives who were educated there.
Insurance will cover $1.8 million, but the replacement cost is an estimated $5.8 million for construction, contents and furnishings. We all need to help. The need is real. The need is great.
And the potential loss is even greater.
According to Southwestern officials, an initial recovery phase goal of $500,000 is needed by the end of February, with another $700,000 needed soon after, for a total $1.2 million.
On behalf of our brothers and sisters at Southwestern Christian College, the Chronicle calls on all of us to lend support in a crucial time of need to a most worthy and pressing need.
Funds may be sent to: The Office of the President, Southwestern College, P.O. Box 10, Terrell, TX, 75160. For more information, visit the college’s Web site.
We love to give to those who are truly in need. It fulfills something important in all of us and supports others who are serving the Lord in special ways.
Just in recent weeks, we have seen the tremendous caring and compassion of Christians in the South who have ministered to their fellow church members and non-Christian neighbors alike after killer tornadoes.
It’s the same kind of Christian response that was so prevalent nationally after Hurricane Katrina two-and-a-half years ago, and after the deadly California wildfires just months ago.
We in Churches of Christ are the kind of people who can’t help but give of our time and money when we see people in need — particularly when the images of their distress bombard us on our television screens.
But occasionally, a calamity that should draw our attention may go unnoticed, either because it does not make headlines or because it does not seem to concern us.
With that in mind, we at The Christian Chronicle want to make sure to focus your attention on a special need of our brothers and sisters at Southwestern Christian College in Terrell, Texas.
A news story that starts on Page 1 tells the tragic story of a devastating fire in the early hours of Sunday, Jan. 27, that destroyed two key buildings on that campus. Those buildings were the heart and life of the historically black college.
Because of racial issues that often divided our churches in the past, many of us may not be as familiar with Southwestern Christian as we are with other Christian colleges.
But now seems a most appropriate time to demonstrate our unity in Christ by helping Southwestern in its time of peril. This is an opportunity to move beyond our divisive past and join hands in a united effort to rebuild.
The fire marshal estimated the loss of the buildings at $1.3 million and the contents at an additional $500,000. The loss is enormous for the 227-student college, which may be small in size
but definitely is large in the role it plays in our fellowship.
Why is Southwestern Christian College so important? Because it educates young men and women in a spiritual and moral context.
Southwestern leaders estimate that more that half of all predominantly black congregations have preachers, elders, deacons and their wives who were educated there.
Insurance will cover $1.8 million, but the replacement cost is an estimated $5.8 million for construction, contents and furnishings. We all need to help. The need is real. The need is great.
And the potential loss is even greater.
According to Southwestern officials, an initial recovery phase goal of $500,000 is needed by the end of February, with another $700,000 needed soon after, for a total $1.2 million.
On behalf of our brothers and sisters at Southwestern Christian College, the Chronicle calls on all of us to lend support in a crucial time of need to a most worthy and pressing need.
Funds may be sent to: The Office of the President, Southwestern College, P.O. Box 10, Terrell, TX, 75160. For more information, visit the college’s Web site.
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