Partners, November 2014

BUTLER COUNTY, Ky. — About 350 people turned out to celebrate the recent grand opening of the Big Reedy Christian Camp. 

More than $1 million in donations paid for the camp, said board member Tina Hall. Her husband, W. Tom Hall, preaches for one of the sponsoring congregations, the Mount Pleasant Church of Christ in Bowling Green, Ky. The 30-acre camp site includes a lodge and 10 group cabins. 

For more information, see www.bigreedycamp.com.
HIGHER EDUCATION

ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

ABILENE, Texas — ACU trustees have decided President Phil Schubert’s leadership “will continue to bless ACU,” despite ongoing divorce proceedings between Schubert and his wife, Jamie.

Schubert

Board Chairman Barry Packer delivered that message in an email sent recently to the university’s 400 faculty and staff members, ACU spokesman Grant Rampy confirmed.

“We believe the covenant of marriage is created by God,” Packer wrote. “We also believe strongly in the power of grace in a broken world and the call to be peacemakers.”

To read the full statement, see ‘ACU trustees retain university’s president.’

FREED-HARDEMAN UNIVERSITY

DICKSON, Tenn. — Freed-Hardeman conducted a dedication ceremony recently at its new Middle Tennessee branch campus, where it began offering baccalaureate degree completion and master’s level courses this fall.

The Jackson Foundation transferred ownership of the Renaissance Center in Dickson to FHU. 

Designed as a fine arts and technology learning center, the $18 million facility includes 110,000 square feet of classroom space, conference rooms, film and video production studios, theater areas, offices and a planetarium.
FHU President Joe Wiley expressed gratitude for the gift.

“Being here at the Renaissance Center is the answer to a lot of prayers,” Wiley said.

HERITAGE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

FLORENCE, Ala. — The university recently announced the addition of $525,000 to its scholarship endowment. 
“It’s humbling to have good families continue to invest in our mission of blessing the Churches of Christ by educating and encouraging missionaries, preachers, teachers and other leaders,” school officials said.

The Cox Boulevard Church of Christ in Sheffield, Ala., recently provided a copy of the book “Muscle and a Shovel ” by Michael J. Shank to every HCU student.

OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

OKLAHOMA CITY — Ethos, Oklahoma Christian’s new spiritual life program, provides multiple ways for students to grow in faith, serve others and worship God.

Students can fulfill spiritual life requirements through daily chapel services, mission trips, service projects, Bible studies and other options.

About a quarter of a $2 million gift by an anonymous donor funded the launch of the Ethos initiative. In all, 11 givers have donated almost $600,000 toward the initiative.