Baptist Builders show love for Carson-Newman through summer projects

^{Guy Davis, top, and Daryl Vance, both of Greeneville, work on a campus flag pole located on Carson-Newman’s campus. The two joined 76 other Baptist Builders volunteers this summer to take part in campus projects at the University.}

(July 18, 2014)– Over 70 Baptist Builders volunteers spent time this summer taking part in campus projects at Carson-Newman University. This summer marked the sixth year in a row for volunteers from East Tennessee Baptist churches to help with projects on Carson-Newman’s campus, and the fifth year for Baptist Builders.

“We love it,” said Greeneville’s Margaret Bradley, who with her husband George, volunteer and help coordinate the summer efforts year after year. “Each time we pull on campus it’s like “Oh yea, we’re home. We’re back.””

Members of First Baptist Church of Greeneville, the Bradleys look forward to the projects each summer. According to Margaret, helping to take part in beautifying the historic campus is a calling the couple embraces. “With us being Baptist and with Carson-Newman being a Christian University, we feel like the Lord wants us there.”

This year the Bradley’s helped to direct and plan logistics for visitors from 17 churches across East Tennessee. Volunteers rolled up their sleeves and joined in such work as pressure washing, repairing, painting and caulking in areas across campus and around several buildings. The groups rotated in over the course of 28 work days and spent a combined 2,534 volunteer hours at the University.

“We are incredibly grateful for the work and dedication of Baptist Builders,” said Carson-Newman University President J. Randall O’Brien. “Each summer we are reminded of how many people throughout East Tennessee share a deep love for Carson-Newman and are willing to demonstrate such love through travel, time, energy and hard work. Because of such friendships, Carson-Newman is better able to carry out its mission of preparing the next generation of servant leaders,” he said. “How grateful we are for our Baptist family!”

Baptist Builders are volunteers from Baptist churches who use construction to minister and provide disaster relief. The Tennessee Baptist Builders are organized through the Tennessee Baptist Convention and often work in conjunction with the convention’s Disaster Relief teams, with many volunteers serving on both teams.