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s Selah led us to the throne of God at the April 15th Bryan Opportunity Scholarship Program (BOP) dinner, my soul was refreshed and my spirit quieted. It was the healing balm I needed after so many months of uncertainty, ever-changing plans, and loss of loved ones. I was reminded that “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me,” and though times are turbulent, “it is well with my soul.” At 228, the audience was less than half of the prior BOP dinner’s attendance, but what a blessing to finally be in the same room with over 200 people. The excitement of being together was clearly written on so many faces. When the dinner and program had ended, folks continued to mingle and talk for a couple of hours. We were clearly in need of interaction with the body of Christ. Even though I had heard student Carlos Portillo tell his story in his interview with me and again in a practice run with our departmental staff, I was once again moved to tears when he shared about his life at the dinner. To hear how Carlos was redeemed from a cult when he came to know Jesus Christ as his personal Savior was soul-stirring. To learn that his decision to abandon the cult cost him a place to live with his dad was heartbreaking. To realize he was willing to walk away from home so he could continue growing in his newfound faith was inspiring.
Carlos was one of 50 students qualifying for the Bryan Opportunity Scholarship this year. The average gross income of these families is $22,250. BOP is a guarantee that academicallyqualifying Tennessee students with a family income of $36,000 or less can come to Bryan completely tuition-free. A private-school, Christian-worldview, liberal-arts education would not be possible for these students without a program such as BOP. As I write this article, we’ve raised more than $179,000 of our $250,000 BOP goal. While this is 28% short of our goal, it isn’t anything to sneeze at during a pandemic. Thank you, thank you, thank you to those of you who’ve given to this scholarship program or prayed for our BOP students. You’ve made an eternal investment. Please put April 7 on your calendar for next year’s BOP dinner. Registration for this event will open in January at www.Bryan.edu/Dinner.
Blessings,
Janice Pendergrass Associate VP of Advancement & Event Services
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