Stepping onto the podium during the Alabama Baptist State Convention annual meeting Nov. 16, Samford University President Andrew Westmoreland duly noted the 10 minutes allotted for his report. But instead of filling the time alone — as he admitted would have been easy for him — he invited three students to share the stage. Through them, Westmoreland provided attendees with living examples of the work the 169-year-old university is doing to further the cause of Christ.
Ben Telfair recently earned a bachelor’s degree from Samford and is now a first-year student at its Beeson Divinity School. The Tallahassee, Fla., native chose Samford because he knew of some students who were fulfilling their callings through the university’s programs. As Telfair became more familiar with Samford, he became even more impressed.
“I saw the passion of the faculty and staff,” Telfair said.
Jen Taylor, a senior English major from Indianapolis, is involved in University Ministries, and that involvement has helped strengthen her faith.
“I had never been around people so hungry and desperate for God,” she said. “It gave me a bigger picture of Christianity.”
Jeremy Towns, a sports medicine major from Birmingham, plays on the football team.
He chose to attend Samford after offers to play football at other schools fell through. “I know it was God bringing me to Samford,” Towns said. A nonbeliever when he arrived on campus, Towns was led to Christ through the efforts of former coach Chris Brasfield.
“This is the future,” Westmoreland said, gesturing toward the three students. “It’s hard for me to be discouraged about the future of Christian work because of young men and young women like these.”
Samford’s partnership with Alabama Baptists has helped the university develop into a nationally recognized academic institution that continues to be “anchored to the cause of Christ,” Westmoreland said.
“We’re grateful for this partnership, and we’ll hold fast to it for all time.” (TAB)
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