Historical Commission honors chaplains, students

With a group of Alabama Baptist chaplains standing across the platform, Lonette Berg, special assistant to Executive Director Frances Hamilton, delivered the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission (ABHC) report to messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention annual meeting in Huntsville Nov. 16.  
   
Berg invited the audience to consider a chapter in Alabama Baptist history — “the story of chaplains, servants in the midst of strife.”
   
Introducing Alabama’s Southern Baptist chaplains, she said, “Why do these servants of God answer the call? You would have to ask them, but I suspect the answer would lie in the words of Jesus, ‘Whatever you do, do in my name.’”
   
According to her, Alabama Baptist chaplains serve in various capacities, including the military, hospice care and disaster relief. “They share God’s love with those in fear and pain; they tell them that Jesus loves them. To those in despair, they offer comfort and hope,” Berg said.
   
The Book of Reports cited an expanding publication ministry for the historical commission, including “By the Grace of God,” a book by Earl Potts; a historical coloring book for children; and Legacies, the ABHC newsletter, as well as continued work on video-recorded interviews for inclusion in the oral history collection.
   
Berg also presented the commission’s annual historical research and writing awards. In the college division, the Thomas Shumaker Award was presented to two Samford University students: Lane Lofton won first place, which includes a $500 check, and Katherine Veach was awarded the $300 second prize. 
   
In the high school division, the Hosea Holcombe Award went to Ashleigh Nicole Evans of Evergreen Baptist Church, Evergreen. The award also includes a $500 prize. (TAB)