A recent article published by Religion News Service caught my attention with the headline, “Taylor University awarded $30 million to revitalize local community.”
My mind chased multiple ideas before I ever read the first word of the article. I began dreaming about how the money could be put to good use.
What if one of our Alabama Baptist organizations, associations or churches were handed $30 million to improve the community around us?
Where would we start? What would be our priorities for how to spend the money as we worked to make things better?
‘Unique calling’
I’ve always joked that if someone would provide the funds, I would be more than glad to determine how best to spend them.
But for Taylor University president Michael Lindsay, it’s a reality.
The evangelical institution about an hour northeast of Indianapolis announced receiving the grant Jan. 2. It is funded by Lilly Endowment as part of its College and Community Collaboration initiative, according to the RNS article.
“For us, this is about much more than economic and community development; it’s about living into our unique calling as a place that seeks to honor God in all things,” Lindsay shared with RNS via email.
Located in rural Upland, Indiana, the campus stands out amid the town’s 3 square miles. Main Street, the mile stretch connecting campus and downtown, features cracked sidewalks, poor lighting and potholed roads, RNS reported.
Taylor University’s Main Street Mile Initiative will incorporate a variety of upgrades, bring in new dining and retail outlets and partner with an advisory board of Upland residents in the effort.
“We believe Taylor and Upland have the potential to become a national model for how a small university with an engaged community can work together for significant economic and community development,” Lindsay shared with RNS, noting they were inspired by Notre Dame’s similar efforts over the past 20-plus years in South Bend.
Lindsay added that the university’s Christian faith compels it to “seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which you have been carried,” in reference to Jeremiah 29.
Serving our communities
Our Alabama Baptist schools also have historically worked to partner with the communities around them as well as with churches throughout the state.
Samford University president Beck Taylor frequently emphasizes the importance of enhancing not only its Homewood community but also the full scope of metro Birmingham.
Down near the coast, University of Mobile president Lonnie Burnett also seeks to be a strong community asset for the town of Saraland as well as the greater Mobile area.
Judson College leaders also cared deeply about the people of Marion and surrounding Perry County. Before the school closed in 2021, presidents Mark Tew and David Potts before him enthusiastically led students, faculty and staff in the annual Marion Matters day of service to the community.
Many churches and associations throughout our state find similar ways to serve and to be a resource for the greatest needs around them. Merely reading articles on tabonline.org or flipping through each print edition of The Alabama Baptist will provide plenty of examples.
It starts with us as individuals
Millions of dollars to spend in resourcing our communities would certainly let us do more and move faster, but we all can still do something to make things better where we live and everywhere we go.
It merely takes awareness of our surroundings, a generous spirit, openness to the Lord’s leading and a little creativity.
And in all reality, it starts with each of us as individuals. What’s one decision I can make today that will improve life for those around me?
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