HANNIBAL – Hannibal-LaGrange College has been awarded the Courts Redford Award for Excellence once again.
The North American Mission Board, the Southern Baptist Convention's mission arm in the United States, U.S. territories, Canada and Mexico, gives the award to the top colleges and universities in the nation for mobilizing students for missions with the agency.
Of more than 300 colleges and universities that participate, HLG finished first.
 The North American Mission Board has recognized Hannibal-LaGrange College in each of the last five years for the school’s efforts to provide opportunities and mobilize its students for missions. This year, HLG received NAMB’s top honor, the Courts Redford Award for Excellence. |
For five years, HLG has placed among the top three schools, including a first-place finish in 2007. More than 1,100 U.S. and Canadian students participated with NAMB this summer.
HLG encourages students to participate in a month-long mission endeavor immediately following spring semester. The May-mester plan provides an opportunity for missions and does not interfere with summer jobs or internships.
"Being the top college in the nation for student mission mobilization is a great honor and a fitting reward for the HLG students who participated in several mission endeavors this past year," noted HLG Vice President for Collegiate Affairs Tom Hufty.
"Our students come to HLG for a superior education, but they also come for a significant experience. 'Knowledge for Service' is not only our motto, it describes how we live."
This summer students served in Canada, Haiti, Europe and the United States. "The students are serving every school break in some form or fashion. The 'Jerusalem Projects' [Hannibal and surrounding area] take place on a weekly basis. All other trips occur during fall, Christmas, spring and summer breaks," Hufty said.
When asked the reason for missions dominance, Hufty replied, "Our students. God continues to bring students to HLG who have a heart for a better world. They look at their lives as an investment in changing the culture and influencing the nations for Christ."
An array of engraved plaques and honors remind Hufty of changed lives. "I do not think, this side of heaven, we could ever imagine the difference our students have made worldwide," he said.
Interested individuals can learn more about HLG missions opportunities by contacting the Carroll Missions Center at 573-629-3195
