WACO—A financial contribution from the Baptist General Convention of Texas will support Baylor University’s recently created Beauchamp Addiction Recovery Center.
The convention made the gift from its Thomas Meeker Fund. A portion of the endowment is designated for programs that address issues related to substance use disorders.
“When we learned about the Beauchamp Addiction Recovery Center being established at Baylor, we felt a gift to support its work would be a confirmation of our institutions’ mutual core values. Therefore, we are very happy to provide these additional resources to help students,” BGCT Executive Director David Hardage said.
Will help student life, spiritual life initiatives
The gift will enable the Beauchamp Addiction Recovery Center staff to educate Baylor’s student life staff on addiction and collegiate recovery and support efforts to improve recovery ministry education for Baylor’s ministry guidance students.
The funds also will be used to help create a recovery prayer project and worship services in conjunction with spiritual life and to improve the recovery library available to students at the addiction recovery center.
The BGCT gift also will help in September when Baylor observes National Recovery Month in a variety of ways on campus.
‘Stigma grows when we don’t speak honestly’
“It’s so important for our students to know that they’re not alone in recovery,” said Lilly Ettinger, recovery program coordinator in Baylor’s department of wellness. “Stigma grows when we don’t speak honestly about the struggles in our community. Everyone is affected by addiction, and we all have a responsibility to help.
Sign up for our weekly edition and get all our headlines in your inbox on Thursdays
“The BGCT’s support will help us continue to talk about the effects of alcohol use disorders, substance use disorders and the blessings of recovery. The support of alumni and donors is absolutely crucial here.”
Hardage emphasized the gift for the addiction recovery center grows out of Texas Baptist churches’ desire to demonstrate love for God and love for others.
“We realize that addiction disorders are a real problem and that the (recovery center) can provide real solutions and answers,” he said.
Made possible by a gift from Bob and Laura Beauchamp of Houston in December 2016, the university hopes the center will enhance its efforts to foster the holistic well-being of students through on-campus recovery support services, as well as stronger prevention education and intervention support.
David Garland, who completed his time as Baylor’s interim president May 31, expressed appreciation to the BGCT, not only for the gift to the addiction recovery center, but also for ongoing support to the university and Truett Theological Seminary.
“The Baptist General Convention of Texas and Baylor University have been close partners over many decades in the effort to enlarge the kingdom of God and to empower Texans and Texas Baptists by educating men and women for leadership and service,” Garland said.
“From nominating denominational leaders to serve on our board of regents to providing unwavering and unequaled financial support for our students and academic programs, the BGCT has been an indispensable friend and a constant source of institutional strength.”
Based on reporting by Lori Fogleman
We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.
Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.