William Carey University and the Mississippi Baptist Convention hosted the Church-Related Vocations Banquet Sept. 9 in Hattiesburg.
The annual event celebrates the recipients of ministerial scholarships – students who have made public commitments to become missionaries, pastors or music directors. This year, WCU’s Departments of Biblical Studies and Philosophy, and Christian Ministries, awarded 89 scholarships in amounts ranging from $4,800 to $6,400.
The guest speaker was Dr. Jim Futral of Mississippi Baptist Convention Board. Futral served as a pastor in Southern Baptist churches for 35 years. He held several positions in the Mississippi Baptist Convention and Mississippi Baptist Convention Board, before becoming the MBCB’s executive director-treasurer in 1998.
Futral is retiring from the MBCB on Oct. 31, shortly after the two-day Mississippi Baptist Convention.
“Dr. Futral has faithfully served churches and the MBC for over 55 years. In his time as executive director-treasurer, he has kept our focus on the Great Commission,” said Dr. Dan Caldwell, chair of the WCU Biblical Studies Department.
“Since assuming this leadership position, he has invested in our students annually by being with them at the CRV banquets, by hosting them for Baptist Student Day in Jackson, by addressing them in chapel, and by providing lectures in various ministry courses. His investment in their lives and those of countless Mississippians has made a lasting difference.”
Religion major John Mark Vincent introduced Futral, whose message focused on running the good race – receiving the baton with care, being careful not to drop it, and running the best race you can.
The CRV Banquet was also attended by university officials, including WCU President Dr. Tommy King, who expressed his thanks on behalf of the university: “Dr. Futral has been a strong advocate for Christian higher education as he led the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board and our schools have been blessed by his support.”
In the photo: Dr. Jim Futral, MBCB executive director-treasurer, center, visits with Dr. Dan Caldwell, left, chair of WCU's Biblical Studies Department, and Dr. John Pace, director of MBCB's Pastor/Leadership Development Department.
