Partners, May 2021
FEATURED IMAGE: In a special chapel assembly at Harding Academy of Memphis, teachers and staff members follow the example of Jesus and wash the feet of the senior class. School employees prayed over the students and asked God to bless them in their futures.
“This is such a meaningful time for us to encourage our graduates and serve them like Jesus,” the Tennessee school said on its Facebook page.
In the photo, teacher Michelle Malone washes the feet of student Chloe Johnson. In the inset photo, teacher Lindsey Pence prays with student Emily Howard.
Founded in 1952, Harding Academy is a coed, college-preparatory Christian school.
DEVOTIONAL
HEARTLIGHT.ORG
ABILENE, Texas — Heartlight.org and VerseoftheDay.com celebrated their 25th anniversary in April.
The popular online ministries offer free, Bible-focused devotionals to help people strengthen their faith.
“We believe it is significant, and so many in our brotherhood don’t know about us, even though we were birthed by and continue our strong connection to Churches of Christ and core elements of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-7)and baptism and communion and the Great Commission,” content writer and editor Phil Ware said.
HIGHER EDUCATION
FREED-HARDEMAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Earl Edwards
HENDERSON, Tenn.— Freed-Hardeman University plans to create an endowed chair as it begins a Doctor of Ministry program. It will be named the Dr. Earl Edwards Chair for the Graduate School of Theology.
Edwards began his career at FHU in 1982 after directing the Florence Bible School in Italy. He oversaw graduate studies in Bible at FHU from 1989 until 2008 when he retired from full-time work.
“Dr. Edwards’ leadership set in motion FHU’s graduate programs in Bible and sustained their growth for nearly 20 years,” said Mark Blackwelder, dean of FHU’s College of Biblical Studies.
Edwards has committed $500,000 for the chair. The Edwards family has set a goal of raising a total of $1 million with help from friends and other family members.
HARDING UNIVERSITY
Clifton Ganus Jr.
SEARCY, Ark. — The family of Clifton L. Ganus Jr. has released “I’d Do It All Again,” a memoir by the former president and chancellor of Harding University.
While known for his work at Harding, Ganus traveled to 117 countries, made four 700-mile Mississippi River trips in a small boat, enjoyed conversations with world leaders and made annual fishing trips to Alaska, among numerous other adventures.
“When asked about the various events in his past, even the challenging ones, Dad often concluded his comments by saying, ‘I’d do it all over again,’” Cliff Ganus III said of his father, who died on Sept. 9, 2019, at age 97. “This book is his account of the life he loved.”
LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Despite the pandemic, the largest fundraising campaign in Lipscomb University’s history has reached its $250 million goal nearly a year early.
Contributions came from 47,000 donors — 35,000 of whom made financial gifts to the Christian university for the first time during this initiative.
The goal was met “during one of the most challenging times in our world with the devastating impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic,” President Randy Lowry said.
OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
Sherri Coale
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma Christian University alumnus Sherri Coale, a four-time Big 12 Conference coach of the year, directed the Sooners to 10 Big 12 championships (six regular season, four postseason) and 20 postseason appearances, including 19 consecutive NCAA tournaments.
Coale, who played at Oklahoma Christian from 1983 to 1987, is a member of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Christian Athletic Hall of Fame.
“Through much prayer and the gifts of a year that provided pockets of stillness most years never produce, I have amazing clarity,” Coale, a member of the Westside Church of Christ in Norman, said of her recent decision to retire.
