February 5, 2018
East Texas Baptist University was provided with a grant of $20,000 from the Texas Baptists Missions Foundation, the largest one-time donation given by the organization to ETBU for its Neighborhood Renewal Initiative, on Wednesday, January 31. Vice President for Texas Baptist Missions Foundation and Vice President for the Baptist World Alliance Jerry Carlisle and President for Texas Baptist Missions Foundation Bill Arnold presented the contribution during the University's chapel service. Teaching on Hebrews 12:1-3, Dr. Carlisle encouraged students to become who they were created to be.
"To be fired up about Jesus and find freedom, you first have to become fed up with anything else and realize nothing but Christ will fulfill you," Dr. Carlisle said. "You were made for God's purpose. What does God say about where you are headed and how you are going to get there? You were made to follow Jesus - to know God and be known by Him, to love Him and share His news, to be His witness."
At the beginning of his remarks, Dr. Carlisle shared about the partnership between Texas Baptist Missions Foundation and the ETBU Neighborhood Renewal Initiative. The foundation also donated $10,000 in support of the program last year, enabling the ETBU Construction Department to secure supplies to restore dilapidated homes of low income families in Marshall.
"With a vision to promote economic growth in Marshall and to develop students into servant leaders, East Texas Baptist partners with the City of Marshall, the Christian Life Commission, and the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation," ETBU Director of Construction Management Program Cameron Burger commented. "It is our role as a Christian institution to be involved in transforming the community. We strive to show the city that we are called to love and help those in need."
Judge Richard and Christina Anderson also donated $9,500 to the Neighborhood Renewal Initiative to acquire a cargo trailer for securing and hauling construction tools and equipment. ETBU has benefited from the generosity of the Andersons, along with Jerry and Judy Cargill with the donation of the historic Marshall Grand to the University. The Anderson and Cargill donation of this facility has opened the door for the move of the School of Nursing to ETBU's new downtown campus in the Marshall Grand.
"We celebrate the opportunity to partner with the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation and the Andersons as we seek to renew neighborhoods in Marshall through home restoration and future construction of quality housing for families in need of assistance," ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn expressed. "ETBU will continue its Neighborhood Renewal Initiative work this spring in partnership with the City of Marshall Community Block Development Grant program, Habitat for Humanity Brush with Kindness, Critical Home Repair, and Veterans' Home assistance programs."