May 5, 2017
For Immediate Release
By Joan C. McKinney, director of University Communications
CAMBPELLSVILLE, Ky. – “Life in these United States is pretty special. How precious the American experience is. It’s all about heart checks. Do we have hearts prepared to face challenges?” Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, said as one of those gathered at Campbellsville University for the celebration of the National Day of Prayer May 4.
Carter quoted James 5:16 saying, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Carter was among several people who prayed for America during the event sponsored by Campbellsville University, Saloma Baptist Church and the Taylor County Ministerial Association.
Kentucky State Senator Max Wise, who represents District 16 including Adair, Clinton, Cumberland, McCreary, Russell, Taylor and Wayne counties, said it was “good to come back to campus. It feels like coming home.”
Wise is a Campbellsville University alumnus and former professor at CU.
Wise thanked each of those present for the honor of serving them in the State Legislature. He said he was a Christian, husband and father, and he is honored to serve in the Senate.
He said the legislature passed many bills in the last session pertaining to religion and pro-life. He said there is more to be done including dealing with the major drug crisis in Kentucky.
“We need everyone’s help,” he said. “We have got to do more about our drug programs, and it starts in the family,” he said.
He asked everyone continue to pay as individuals, families, the state and officials.
Campbellsville Mayor Tony Young and Taylor County Judge/Executive Eddie Rogers read a proclamation for May 4 as the National Day of Prayer. The ceremony, in Winters Dining Hall, was part of the 66th Annual National Observance of National Day of Prayer.
Dr. John Chowning, pastor of Saloma Baptist Church who serves as executive assistant for government, community and constituent relations to Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, presented public service awards to Wise, Young and Rogers, and to John “Bam” Carney, state representative for Adair and Taylor counties, who was in Washington, D.C.
The Rev. James Bennett, chairman of the Hope Pregnancy Center, thanked Wise for his work for the cause of the unborn. “I am so proud of your stance on pro-life,” he said to Wise, who is called a “champion and warrior for the unborn.”
He presented Wise a gift of arrowheads for his work in the Senate.
The Rev. Earl Rodgers, president of the Taylor County Ministerial Association, said, “We live in a beautiful country. Continue to pray for our leaders; they deserve our prayers.
“We are in need of our Savior, and God let us never forget that,” he prayed.
Others who led in prayers for specific segments of the populace were: Chad Shively, Taylor County property valuation administrator, for the government; Dr. Mike O’Neal, senior pastor, Campbellsville Baptist Church and vice president of the Taylor County Ministerial Association, for the church;
The Rev. Michael Ash, pastor, Mt. Union Baptist Church, treasurer of the Taylor County Ministerial Association, for the military; Dr. Lynda Collins, for the family; Dr. Donna Hedgepath, vice president for academic affairs, Campbellsville University, for the education system;
Jeff Moreland, publisher/editor, Central Kentucky News-Journal, for the media; Ron McMahan, chief executive officer/executive director of the Campbellsville-Taylor County Economic Development Authority, for the business community; and the Rev. DeWayne GoLightly, pastor, Fannie Chapel CME Church, for law enforcement and emergency responders.
Dr. Twyla Hernandez, associate professor of Christian missions at Campbellsville University, gave the invocation, and the Rev. Tony Franklin, pastor of St. Mark United Methodist Church and secretary of the Taylor County Ministerial Association, gave the benediction. Billy Gregory, a member of the Kentucky State Police who serves as head women’s volleyball coach at Campbellsville University, led in prayer for elected officials.
Kathryn Weeks, a Campbellsville University music student, sang the National Anthem.
Campbellsville University is a widely-acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 5,000 students offering over 80 programs of study including 19 master’s degrees, six postgraduate areas and seven pre-professional programs. The university has off-campus centers in Louisville, Harrodsburg, Somerset and Hodgenville with instructional sites in Elizabethtown, Owensboro and Summersville and a full complement of online programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.