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NAMB honors missions-sending campuses


ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)–The North American Mission Board is honoring eight U.S. colleges and universities with its Courts Redford Award for Excellence in Student Missionary Deployment during 2006.

Under the auspices and coordination of NAMB, colleges and universities mobilized more than 1,600 student missionaries in the United States, Canada and their territories last year. Student mission opportunities are promoted via Southern Baptist campus ministries, Baptist colleges and local Baptist churches.

Honored as the top missions-sending campuses are North Greenville University in Tigerville, S.C.; Blue Mountain College in Blue Mountain, Miss.; Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo.; Carson-Newman College in Jefferson, City, Tenn.; Mercer University in Macon, Ga.; Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla.; the University of Georgia in Athens; and Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C.

Assigned to sites such as college campuses, beaches, national parks, inner cities and rural communities, Baptist student missionaries obtain hands-on mission experience while supporting the evangelism and church planting strategies of local Southern Baptist churches and associations.

Students also utilize their personal interests, spiritual gifts and talents as they lead sports camps, worship services in resort settings, Bible studies at children and youth camps, outreach to multi-housing communities and ministry to internationals, noted Donald King, national consultant for NAMB’s student missionary deployment team, based in Alpharetta, Ga.

NAMB’s award is named in honor of Courts Redford (1898-1977) who, in the summer of 1944, mobilized more than 70 students to serve across the country through the Southern Baptist Convention’s Home Mission Board (NAMB’s predecessor), birthing the student missionary strategy.

Redford recognized the value and impact students could have in evangelism and church planting, King said.

“Dr. Redford’s legacy continues as NAMB’s student missionary deployment team maintains his vision and commitment as they assist local churches and convention partners to deploy students across North America today,” King said.

Redford served the Home Mission Board for 21 years (1943-1964), the last 10 years as chief executive officer.

More than 2,000 college students are needed in 2007 to share Christ in a range of settings, King said. The deadline to apply is April 20. For additional information on service opportunities through NAMB, visit www.answerthecall.net or call a mobilization specialist at NAMB, 1-800-462-8657, ext. 6476.
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  • Mickey Noah