Opportunity to distinguish ourselves
By Lonnie Burnett
President, University of Mobile
As the nation in general, and institutions of higher education in particular, navigate the uncharted waters into which we have all been tossed, the mission of a Christ-centered university becomes more important than ever.
Just a month ago, our students were focused on completing mid-term exams and then perhaps a restful week at the beach or Disney World. When they left campus for spring break, life was good.
Almost overnight, their isolated sense of security melted away as their courses, finances, campus living arrangements, freedom of travel and, even in some cases, the health of themselves or their families, were abruptly transformed.
Now we have students spread out literally around the world who are, at best anxious and, at worst, terribly frightened.
Unique opportunity
It is in this setting that an institution like the University of Mobile (UM) has the unique opportunity to rise to the occasion and show, not just that we can maintain a strong academic program, but also the love of Christ.
It is interesting that several companies have already starting surveying university and high school students to see how their attitudes and expectations have been affected by the current crisis.
Many are saying things like they value an institution’s ability to provide caring mentoring.
They rank items like “The professors and staff care about me as a person” very high in their desired attributes.
What an opportunity for us to distinguish ourselves, and how do we do that in this time of upheaval?
I heard a pastor recently ask, “Do we give up or do we look up?”
At UM, we are making a conscious effort to show our students that, just because they are not physically on campus, they are still a part of a caring family. Our faculty and staff are going to great lengths to stay in contact with, and minister to, students.
One advantage of a small to mid-size Christian institution is that this is a manageable task.
If one of the “family” is hurting, we know it quickly and respond. In addition to our classes, we have done remote chapel services, prayer groups and Bible studies.
As hard as it is sometimes for academics to realize, at this particular moment, a student understandably might be facing pressures beyond what we can comprehend.
God is faithful
Finally, as the president of a Christ-centered university, it is my role to reassure our students, faculty and staff that our God is faithful.
The same God who is with us on the mountaintop is faithful while we temporarily walk through a valley. The greatest advantage institutions such as ours have is the liberty of sharing our faith and hope with those who are struggling.
I constantly think of the question that Mordecai asked Queen Esther. Who knows, but that we have been called for such a time as this?
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Letters to the Editor
I was very touched, Jennifer, by your personal story in the My Rashionale editorial in the April 9 issue. It is, indeed, sometimes difficult to discern exactly what, how and when to properly intervene. It looks like God would not let you lose that ministry opportunity and I am so glad things fell into place.
Morris Murray Jr.
Jasper, Ala.
Thanks for your great work. Read your My Rashionale in the April 9 issue and am reminded of the many times the Spirit moved and I stopped doing what He was leading me to do. Very practical insight for those of us who are called to make Jesus our Lord.
God bless as He uses you, your skills and your love.
John G. “Jack” Green
Birmingham, Ala.
Editor’s Note — To read the April 9 editorial, visit tabonline.org and search for My Rashionale.
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The Church in Action
Have you heard of The Red Ribbon Mission? It involves hanging a red ribbon in front of your home as a statement of faith and trust.
The red ribbon symbolizes the power of the blood of Jesus. Christ’s saving blood was foreshadowed by the Israelites in the Bible who painted their door posts with lambs’ blood as an act of faith that the plague of Egypt would pass them over. We have faith in God and trust that He’s still in control and has the master plan during this worldly chaos.
Red ribbons can be placed anywhere (mailbox, porch, front door, etc.) and can lead to gospel conversations with our neighbors. God is still in control. Trust in Him and point others to Him.
Jon Jeffries
Minister of education and families
North Shelby Baptist Church, Birmingham
Shout out to the roundtable that Pastor Chris Johnson has been leading at First Baptist, Albertville.
He interviews one or two ministers in our area to learn about the ministers and they share about the ministries that their churches are involved with in their communities. They give information on how to watch or listen to different church services in our area, for instance.
Marshall Baptist Association
Thank you to everyone who partnered with Helping Hands of Hope to deliver food to our community and our county. Your service has been a blessing to many during this time of need.
AMD Ray McKenzie
Elmore Baptist Association
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It doesn’t matter if the church building is full like last year or empty like this year, praise God that the tomb is empty and my heart is full because Christ is alive and He lives in me!
Doug Rogers
Pike Road, Ala.
God did mighty things through Paul as he sat in a jail cell. Today I see God doing mighty things through His people stuck at home. — Philippians 4:13
Pastor John Carney
Blue Ridge Baptist Church
Elmore Association
I read a quote recently about how “faith is … moving forward in spite of fear.”
As I reflect on that quote, I can’t help but think about nurses, firemen, doctors, police officers, ambulance drivers, cashiers, etc. If we will look, faith is all around us.
Jason Davis
Russellville, Ala.
Prayfully consider the words of the risen Savior, who always appears in the nick of time, “Be not afraid; It is I.”
Pastor Gary Burton
Pintlala Baptist Church
See today as basic training for His future plan.
Neal Hughes
Director of missions, Montgomery Baptist Association
Optimism is the belief that everything will be all right which often minimizes both suffering and compassion. Authentic hope is the confidence that God’s kingdom will prevail and this empowers the people of God to have genuine compassion and to enthusiastically and energetically meet human hurt and need.
Gary Fenton
Birmingham, Ala.
While we are washing our hands, let’s make sure we are washing someone else’s feet.
Pastor Tony Evans
Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, Dallas
Be gentle.
That non-essential business that was ordered to close? It may not be essential to you, but it’s essential to the owners. Closing their doors was harder than the blood, sweat and tears they put into opening it.
So be gentle.
That mom upset about the playground closing? That was the 30-minute break in her daily schedule she looked forward to most. That 30 minutes reenergized her for the next four hours. Now she doesn’t know how she will make it through the day.
So be gentle.
Your colleague that keeps sharing memes; making light of the situation? They are taking it seriously. They are scared. They are grounding themselves through humor, the only way they know how.
So be gentle.
The father with a cart overflowing with food? He’s not hoarding. He’s likely picking up groceries for his family, his elderly mom and his sick neighbor.
So be gentle.
We understand the importance of staying home, but we don’t understand what others are going through.
So be gentle.
Social distancing doesn’t mean turning our backs on one another.
Daniel Wiggins, DOM
Pleasant Grove Association
The Coronavirus — we’ve been praying for an awakening … America just got woke up.
Pastor Rusty Sowell
Providence Baptist Church, Opelika
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From the Twitterverse
@MontgomeryFBC
FBC (Montgomery) cooked, packed and transported over 100 meals to nurses at Jackson Hospital’s COVID unit and Baptist East’s respiratory therapy and lab units. Let’s continue praying and finding ways to encourage our health care heroes!
@CSLewisDaily
“I don’t believe that good work is ever done in a hurry.” #CSLewis
@desiringGod
“The situations that we wish were most different are likely the places that others are watching us most closely.”
@bryantwright
Now that we have experienced a most unique Easter with COVID-19, what’s next? 2 Corinthians 5:17 … How do we live with the hope of Easter after Easter? Look to Jesus. After Jesus miraculously rose from the dead, He walked and talked with His friends for over a month. … Jesus communicated two profound commands which overflowed with both hope and challenge: Wait and Go.
@DrDavidLAllen
It’s important to remember, when you seem to be overwhelmed, you are really overshadowed … by His wings.
@DrPaulChitwood
As worldwide travel is slowed and, in many instances, frozen, remember to pray for your @IMB_SBC missionaries as they remain our witness for Christ among the nations. Uninterrupted for 175 years.
@brocraigc
“Your leadership effectiveness is never the result of one heroic act, it’s always the sum of small faithful choices done every day.” — Daniel Sangi … I’m so grateful for the leadership of our pastors, staff and church leaders in @EtowahBaptist.
@jimmiehale
“During the COVID-19 scare, we are witnessing the transformation of our society right before our very eyes … .” — JHM executive director Michael Coleman
@BeesonDivinity
“God knows our pain and suffering. He sympathizes with us in our earthly tribulations. He understands our feelings of forsakenness and loneliness — even as we struggle through this global pandemic.” —Dean Doug Sweeney
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