RADFORD — Eleven alumni of Radford University's Baptist Student Union joined others last month to give the Baptist center on campus a much-needed facelife.
Joining the alumni were current Baptist Campus Ministry students, as well as members of First Baptist Church in Radford and North Star Baptist Church in Dublin.
The group's descended upon the Intersection, formerly known as the Baptist Student Union, on Saturday, Sept. 22 to makeover the building.
All but one of the alumni attended Radford University during the tenure of the late Anne Taylor or “A.T”, a much beloved director of the Center during the 1980s and early 1990s. Bonnie Hurlburt, retired dean of students at Radford, was the only graduate not to attend during that period.
While attending A.T.'s memorial service last March, alumni became reacquainted while sharing memories of their college years, many of which had been spent at the BCM. As they were talking, it seemed as if some sort of reunion was inevitable.
Alumni work on the Baptist campus ministry center at Radford.
David Lassiter, class of '86; Brenda Connelly Hastings, class of '86; and Diane Marrs Stewart, class of '88, spent time in prayer for God's direction in organizing a reunion. God clearly laid on each heart the need to not only get together, but to have a mission in the midst. So the Intersection facelift was born.
Once the date was chosen, the arduous task of contacting the alumni began. Though email was helpful, not all alumni could be found.
Alum David Lassiter met several times with current BCM minister Jimmy Via, First Baptist Church associate pastor Kent Taylor and other members of First Baptist to identify projects that could be accomplished in one day. Once these tasks were decided upon, David began to assign projects to the contacted alumni. He also arrived in Radford early on the 21st to ready the building for the following work day.
Over 40 people came to the building early on the 22nd to get the job done. After devotionals, led by Jimmy, work began. Outside the building overgrown bushes were removed and replaced with new shrubs. The patio was cleared to create a beautiful prayer garden. Mulch was spread on the new plants. Outside lights were installed, a new fence was built and the deck was two-thirds completed—the men of First Baptist will finish the project.
Inside the facility, windows were washed, the kitchen was cleaned, closets were cleared out and cleaned, the work room was organized, the bathrooms were deep-cleaned along with ceiling tiles replaced, and the foyer walls and doors were painted.
Throughout the day, many memories of the center and of “A.T.” flooded back — and new memories were made as new friendships were established. The dedication of the people involved was best summed up by the action of Gary Ford, retired RU professor and member of First Baptist, who early in the morning cut his hand, went to the hospital for stitches, then returned to finish the job! The time given for this mission was not just to reunite with one another, but to invest in future generations of RU students.
Ephesians 4:16 says, “From Christ the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and build itself up in love, as each part does its work.” This work-reunion weekend could not have happened without each part — especially it would not have happened without the love of Christ, which was demonstrated daily by “A.T.”
If you are a former RU-BSU student, we want to hear form you! We would like to continue to help out at The Intersection at Radford University. Please contact Brenda Connelly Hastings at P.O. Box 118, Dogue, VA 22451, or canningfarm@ gmail.com.