From Ray Ellington’s perspective, Ford Motor Company’s BlueOval City has changed everything about Haywood County in Tennessee.
But it hasn’t changed his faithfulness to the Lord.
In his introduction of Rankin, SWBTS President David S. Dockery expressed delight to have the alumnus back to preach on campus. Rankin suffered a minor stroke in July but was able to keep his scheduled visit.
The lanky teenager stood off to the side watching a group of strangers move from house to house among his community in Togo. He studied them handing out a tiny pamphlet, chatting with people and then bowing their heads.
“I love this weekend because it’s an opportunity for me to get closer to God, and there’s no better place to get closer to God than through His nature,” said Sam Holt, an RA coordinator.
“Southern Baptists have been so good to us,” said Robin Hoffman, a Florida Baptist who is among those helping her community recover from Hurricane Idalia. “They have made it bearable because we know help is on the way. We’re not alone.”