Toccoa church donates bus to Truett McConnell University

Ebenezer Baptist Church in Toccoa recently forwarded a blessing, a bus given to the church three years ago that now belongs to Truett McConnell University in Cleveland. EBC/Special

TOCCOA — After three years, Ebenezer Baptist Church made the decision that a bus gifted to the congregation would be best used by Truett McConnell University in Cleveland and therefore presented at the same cost.

"We've used it for kids's camps, senior adult trips, and youth camps," remarked Ebenezer pastor Andy Childs, who also serves as chairman of the Georgia Baptist Convention Executive Committee. 

But over time, he added, it became tougher to find drivers with a commercial drivers license (CDL). As a result, the church began using charter services for those trips. 

"Desiring to be good stewards, we gave the bus to TMU to use for sports teams and other school activities rather than it just sitting around," said Childs.  

TMU President Emir Caner expressed his thanks for the gift.

"What a stunning surprise yet incredible encouragement it was to find out that the sweet people of Ebenezer Baptist Church would think so highly of our students as to donate a highly valued bus," he exclaimed. "Such a donation will allow our University to thrust forward in so many ways, including modernizing our transportation for athletics and student trips. Moreover, students once again see the love Georgia Baptist churches have for them.

"While Ebenezer Baptist and their godly pastor, Andy Childs, could have easily sold the bus and used the funds in a myriad of biblical ways, they chose to sacrificially give this bus for the work of a University attempting to raise up a generation of new believers for Christ. We cannot say thank you enough!"