Campbellsville University

Yesterday was the fall meeting of the Church Relations Council at Campbellsville University.  It was exciting to hear of all the things that occurred on campus this summer and the plans for this fall and the future.  A number of summer camps were held on campus this summer attracting large groups of children to the campus for the first time.  Several of those children made first time decisions for Jesus Christ while attending their camp.  New dorms are being built to house the growing numbers of students who are coming to this Christian university to prepare themselves for the calling God has on their lives.  Some new programs have been started, a number of new sports teams are now available, and a growing number of people are now taking courses that are available online.  Add to all this, several students spent their summer on mission trips in areas throughout the US and around the world that were made available through Campbellsville University.  It was a great day hearing about all that is happening on this wonderful university.  If you have young people considering colleges you owe it to them to suggest they explore the opportunities that exist for them at Campbellsville University.  As a member of the Church Relations Council I would be happy to arrange a campus visit for those students and their parents.  You can get much more information about the university at their website, www.campbellsville.edu.

Also attending the meeting yesterday were a couple of long-time advocates for bivocational ministry.  David Sanders recently retired as the Director of the Center for Bivocational Ministry at Campbellsville University but returned yesterday to attend the meeting.  Coming with David was Ray Gilder, National Coordinator for the Bivocational Small Church Leadership Network, who has done much to support and encourage bivocational ministers throughout the Southern Baptist Convention and across denominations.  Ray serves a similar capacity in the Tennessee Baptist Convention.  I had not seen Ray in a few years so it was good to touch base with him yesterday and hear about some of his recent work.  You can find out more about the ministry of this organization and the support they offer bivocational ministries at http://www.bivosmallchurch.net/.

It was a great day with people who share my beliefs about bivocational ministry and the importance of Christian higher education.  Even though few students were on campus, there was an energy there that I could feel as soon as I got out of my car.  As I was leaving I took a few minutes to drive around the campus and was amazed at the changes that have occurred there since I began serving on this council a few years ago.  The president, Dr. Michael Carter, and his staff and faculty are doing a great work there, but each of them will be quick to point out that all the credit goes to God.  He has truly blessed this university and continues to do so.  Campbellsville University is receiving students and producing servant leaders, and that excites me about the future.