Let me begin by thanking the Baptist General Association of Virginia for its past support of Bluefield College; not only in money, but in many other ways. It has indeed been a blessing.
Recently I learned that a new funding formula for the new year will result in the loss of about $146,000 to Bluefield College in Bluefield, Va. This is down more than 50 percent from a year ago. It is hard for me to understand the reasoning for such a cut. This is a Christian school, teaching Christian principles. There are not many Christian schools that can say they are among the top 50 colleges in their category.
My story starts in 1958 when I became a student of this fine institution. My class was 1960. It was, and is, a school where the Lord comes first. My class was small; the school was only a two-year school at that time. However, in my class alone there became at least five ministers. There were probably more. Several of the ladies became ministers' wives or wives to Christian counselors or Sunday school teachers. Some became organists, and many others became active in their respective churches serving on various committees, active in missions, their local associations and others just became outstanding men and women in their communities. Bluefield College—“Changing the world one student at a time.”
If my memory is correct, in 20 generations it took 1,146,808 people to bring each of you into this world. If these five ministers led 100 people (a very, very conservative number) to Christ in their 40 years of service and if each of these 100 led at least five others—I think you can see just how many have probably come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Your proposed cut would be the equivalent of losing 14 students per year. Could one of these be the next Johnny Hunt, Charles Stanley or even the next Billy Graham?
My question to you is this: Which is more important to Virginia Baptists—money or winning souls for Christ? Why not double or even triple the amount you are now giving? Each one of you knows you cannot outgive the Lord. Test him.
Thank you for your time and patience.
James B. Jenkins, Charlotte, N.C.