Support of the Board of Aid to Students in Church Related Vocations is helping some of the top students in the state, messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention were told.
Jerome King, pastor of First Baptist Church, Shawmut, began his report by asking past recipients of board aid to stand. Responding, a group of past beneficiaries throughout the auditorium stood.
“I believe each one of these would say thank you to the Alabama Baptist State Convention for your help during those years,” King said.
He said the support of Alabama Baptists has not only made a difference in the past, but is also continuing to do so.
“On behalf of the 16 board members, I want to say thank you for the privilege that you have given to us to be ministers in your name to some of the greatest students in the state of Alabama,” King said.
The Board of Aid, he explained, works to assist undergraduate students who believe they are called into church-related vocations and are enrolled in one of Alabama’s three Baptist colleges — Judson College, the University of Mobile and Samford University.
“Who are the recipients of this aid?” King asked, rhetorically.
“They’re students who are called into church-related vocations,” he said.
“Today, the definition of a church-related vocation is very varied,” King said. “We on the board are in the process of trying to define exactly who we will give aid to.”
King stressed the board is open to comments on what is seen as the best way to apply aid.
“If you have suggestions, members of the board would be glad to listen to you so that we might be better stewards of your money,” he said.
King emphasized recipients must be active members of a Baptist church in Alabama.
“Many of our three schools have students coming from out of state, but our money is for students who have come from an Alabama Baptist church,” King said.
In addition, he said the student must maintain a C average and participate in an interview process each semester.
King refered messengers to the convention’s “Book of Reports” on the number of students aided during the past year.
The report said the board awarded 427 scholarships totaling $245,130.
But King said the board seeks to be involved with more than financial aid.
“We also try to give words of encouragement and of counseling,” he said. “Sometimes, the students come to us with concerns on their part and we want to listen to them.”
King said the board started sending letters during the past semester to students receiving aid, “just to let them know we are concerned about them and we ask them to come back to see us again when we will be back on their campus.”
Messengers were told there are several things they can do to help the board.
“As always, you can give more money,” he said. “The money you give will go to help these students.”
King said less than 5 percent of the money the board receives is used for administrative costs.
Another suggestion he offered is to make sure students planning to attend the state’s three Baptist colleges and are preparing for church-related vocations are aware of the board. He added that because students are sometimes absentminded, it is good to make sure their parents are also aware of the aid.
“Pray that we will be encouragers,” he asked. “Pray that we will have the insight as to which students to award aid and which students we have to turn down.”
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