EDITORIAL: An opportunity to practice love, share burden

Not only is there a need to help, but also an opportunity to practice love and share their burden. We can’t simply say “What a shame” and do nothing.

I remember the legendary missionary Otis Gatewood once saying to a class I was taking under him, “Try to have fellowship in every good work.” Brother Gatewood’s words have profoundly impacted me through the years. I may not have much, but I can gladly share what I have. This is a time to share with Southwestern.

When Southwestern recently lost $500,000 in federal grants, it suffered a staggering blow. The front-page story describes how this historically black college has faced one serious setback after another through the years.

Just five and a half years ago, Southwestern was hit with a devastating fire that cost an estimated $1.8 million in structure and content losses. And now this.

More than half of predominantly black churches have ministers who studied at Southwestern Christian College. A large percentage of African-American elders, deacons and their wives also attended SWCC.

Because of racial issues that often have divided our churches in the past, many of us may not be as familiar with Southwestern Christian as we are with other Christian colleges.

Now is another appropriate time to demonstrate our unity in Christ and a true Christian spirit by helping Southwestern in its time of peril.

Faculty and staff serve sacrificially at Southwestern because they love the school, its purpose and its students. Even so, sacrificial workers need reasonable funds to work with.

Southwestern marks its official beginning in 1950, though its roots go back to 1902. The great preachers G.P. Bowser, R.N. Hogan and J.S. Winston, along with current president Jack Evans, have given so much to make Christian education possible for many young people.

Southwestern Christian College is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the Association of Texas Colleges and Universities. The college offers a bachelor’s degree in Bible and religious education.

Pray fervently that this important school will survive.

And please help financially.

HOW TO HELP

To donate, send checks made out to the “Soaring Within a Culture of Excellence” fund to Southwestern Christian College, P.O. Box 10, Terrell, TX 75160-9002. For more information, call the college at (972) 524-3341, ext. 122.