Introduction
I used to teach a course in American literature that included one of my favorite works: John Winthrop’s in- fluential sermon “A Model of Chris- tian Charity.” Winthrop urged the Pilgrims to make a covenant with God that they would be an example for all the world to see as a model of God’s manifest love and blessings.
Using the language of Matthew 5:14, he declared that they should be “as a city upon a hill,” which would be a visible reminder that God not only exists, but that He also loves His creation and draws all people to Himself with the hope of the gospel.
In 1892, North Greenville Uni- versity was founded on a hill of its own here in South Carolina’s “Dark Corner” — a region that was filled with hopelessness and illiteracy. Te churches of the area hoped that the love of God would fill its classrooms and the students would have their hearts, minds, and souls inspired with a new vision of what is possible when Christ makes the difference in every aspect of one’s life.
In my travels, I hear constantly from alumni about how this special place, this shining campus on a hill, has made a difference in their lives, their
children’s lives, their parents’ lives, their grandparents’ lives, and the life of the region itself. I have met alum- ni and friends from all around the world, and I know for a fact that the prayers, conversations, and lessons that happen in Tigerville — and now in our Tim Brashier Campus in Greer, SC, and even in online classes — all are part of the Christ- first difference NGU has made in the past.
But now, 125 years since our founding, we look around us and realize that longevity is no guarantee of mission faithfulness or even of future vibrancy. Many institutions have been around much longer than NGU, but they have lost their way or even become hostile to the ways of God. As Winthrop warned, they have become “a story and a by- word” of broken covenants. Indeed, some institutions older than NGU ended up shuttering, in part, I be- lieve, because they had abandoned their founding mission.
NGU’s future will always be contin- gent on faithfulness to our mission of preparing students to be godly educators, business leaders, coaches, artists, musicians, scientists, lawyers, accountants, and — yes! — pastors, missionaries, and church leaders.
So we must continue to produce transformational leaders for church and society, and we will. Our stu- dents will always be difference-mak- ers because we serve the ultimate Difference-Maker.
Just before joining this communi- ty, I heard someone say that our culture often teaches students the lie that they can be anything they want and do anything they want. Tis is bogus because it ignores God and elevates broken individuals into petty tyrants of the self.
At NGU, we want our students to know the truth, instead: God has de- signed them uniquely and individu- ally for a specific calling He has for their lives. And as they discern that calling, they can lead lives of eternal significance.
Join us in our next era of faith- fulness to this mission — God’s mission for NGU — by celebrating with us, by praying with us, and by partnering with us to support our own unique and critical work for the Lord.
Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. President North Greenville University
2 |
NGU.EDU
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
