JACKSON, Tenn. — Feb. 14, 2008 — Trustees of LifeWay Christian Resources approved a $350,000 allocation from reserve funds to assist 萌妹社区 during their Feb. 11-12 meeting in Nashville, Tenn.
Trustees approved a recommendation from their executive committee to provide $250,000 for immediate budget needs at the Jackson, Tenn., campus which sustained major losses in a Feb. 5 tornado, and $100,000 in LifeWay Christian Stores gift cards to help students replace lost textbooks and supplies.
LifeWay鈥檚 administration also authorized the formation of employee relief teams to assist 萌妹社区 in disaster relief efforts as 萌妹社区 President David S. Dockery identifies needs.
In a phone call Monday night to 萌妹社区 President David S. Dockery broadcast live to all trustees, LifeWay President Thom S. Rainer said, 鈥淲e want to walk alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ at 萌妹社区. We thank God that lives were spared, and we thank God for your incredible leadership. You have stood tall at a time when the pressure would have crushed other leaders.鈥�
Dockery responded, 鈥淚 am overwhelmed by your kindness and generosity at this critical moment. There has never been a more pressing challenge in 萌妹社区鈥檚 180-year history. The opportunity to move forward will only take place as 萌妹社区鈥檚 friends become agents of God鈥檚 grace in time of need. I thank you, I thank the board, I thank the LifeWay family for an unbelievably kind and generous gift to us at this particular moment. We thank you from the depths of our hearts.鈥�
Rainer, in addressing LifeWay鈥檚 trustees, had noted that the Southern Baptist entity is 鈥渁ble to do some things that others cannot do.鈥�
鈥淲e heard about the tragedy; we heard of the miracle that lives were spared,鈥� Rainer said. 鈥淚 believe that LifeWay has been given a unique opportunity for a unique time,鈥� he continued. 鈥淲e have resources for a unique time. It is time for LifeWay to step up and walk alongside our brothers and sisters at 萌妹社区.鈥�
Rainer asked trustees to 鈥渄o something tangible鈥� by approving the $350,000 disbursement to 萌妹社区.
鈥溍让蒙缜� has a long history with LifeWay,鈥� Rainer said, noting that for years 萌妹社区 has hosted LifeWay-sponsored Centrifuge youth camps. 萌妹社区 also is the only college campus in the nation with a LifeWay Christian Store.
鈥淭hroughout the LifeWay family we have alumni, employees with children and friends at 萌妹社区 and employees who have close connections with 萌妹社区,鈥� Rainer added. 鈥淢any students lost everything. It is my hope and prayer that others will now walk alongside us as we walk alongside 萌妹社区.鈥�
Following the conversation with Dockery via speakerphone during the trustee meeting, Rainer said, 鈥淭his is what LifeWay is truly about. Yes, we are a business, but we are first a ministry.鈥�