University of Mobile continues to train, grow ‘change agents’

University of Mobile continues to train, grow ‘change agents’

Changing lives to change the world — that’s the philosophy of the University of Mobile (UM).
   
It is a world that desperately needs to be changed, said UM President Mark Foley.
   
“We do not have time to keep fooling around in this nation with mediocre Christian faith,” Foley told those present at the UM Alumni and Friends Luncheon at     Whitesburg Baptist Church, Huntsville, Nov. 15. “Because of this, we intend to put people out the door at the University of Mobile who have the concept of really being change agents in the world.”
   
In the “war on terror,” the United States faces an enemy who has been trained since birth to be willing to die for his beliefs, Foley said.
   
The United States then combats this with a “soft” defense — a belief in tolerance, he added.
   
“We face the enemy with a core of current leadership many of whom do not know what they believe. If they do know what they believe, they usually don’t know why they believe it,” Foley said. “They have no ability to integrate what they believe with how they act.”
   
During his report to convention messengers that morning, he said the only way to change the situation is to continue to release into the workplace those who can demonstrate that they know what they believe, know why they believe it and have the courage to live how they believe. “That is exactly what your three institutions of higher learning are doing in this state,” Foley said. 
   
“We have the tool and we know the tool that will change this world.”
   
He also reported that a new four-story, 150-bed residence hall will open this spring and is part of UM’s growth strategy to increase residential students. Currently campus housing is filled to capacity with 500 residential students.
   
Foley later asked those present at the luncheon to encourage friends and family to add UM to their list of possibilities as they begin their college search so more “change agents” could be trained to integrate life and faith.
   
Also during the luncheon, Lu Cadenhead, pastor of Rocky Mount Baptist Church, Valley, was announced as this year’s inductee into the Order of the Shophar.
   
The award, established by UM to honor pastors for their Christian service, is presented annually by the School of Christian Studies. Cecil Taylor, dean of Christian studies, said the award “is presented to an Alabama Baptist State Convention minister in honor of his faithful service, which may never otherwise be recognized.” 
   
He received the award in absentia. (TAB)