Sept. 14, 2009

For Immediate Release

CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY HOSTS PRESIDENT OF

KENTUCKY BAPTIST CONVENTION 

By Hillary C. Wright, student news writer

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky.—“How much you matter to God.” That was the message given by Dr. John Mark Toby, president of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, at Campbellsville University's Sept. 9 chapel in Ransdell Chapel.

Toby is also first vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention and pastor of Beacon Hill Baptist Church in Somerset.

Two students from his church, Gencie Taylor and Brandon Todd, are freshmen at Campbellsville University, and each gave student testimonies.

Toby related the story of Zacchaeus from 19:1-10 and highlighted three main points in the story: “No matter how insignificant I feel, Jesus notices me; no matter what other people say, Jesus affirms me; and no matter what I've done, Jesus is with me.”

In addition, he emphasized the importance of knowing that Jesus cares for us.

“What society says we base our worth on is totally different from what God says we should base our worth on,” Toby said.

“You need to build your self worth on the fact that Jesus loves you, he cares about you, and he's concerned about what's going on in your life. You need to have a life encounter with Christ. When we engage with God, we get more than we ever ask for.

“You have worth and value to God. Jesus knows your name. He's interested in the intricate details of your life. God knows exactly where you are. You may be in a tough place today, but I want you to know that God's got his eyes on you because you matter to God. God has good plans for you. God made you for a reason and a purpose.”

Toby also informed the audience of the importance of daily Bible reading.

He showed a clip from a video that was shot of a recent mission trip to Tanzania in Africa he took with several college students. The clip featured the horrendous living conditions of some of the people there, and comments from students and others who attended the trip.

He ended with a prayer concerning the welfare of the audience.

Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,601 students who represent 93 Kentucky counties, 27 states and 31 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report's 2010 “America's Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 23rd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South and fourth in “up-and-coming” schools in the south. CU has been ranked 17 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America's Best Christian Colleges® and to G.I. Jobs magazine as a Military Friendly School. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his 11th year as president.

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