Sewell, Anderson both honored at Summer Celebration

Both ministers and their wives were honored with an appreciation dinner during Summer Celebration, Lipscomb’s annual lecture series featuring more than 130 seminars and drawing more than 1,000 people to campus for four days. The awards were given to honor the two ministers’ “tireless devotion to the Lord and his Kingdom.”

Sewell committed to Christian education

Sewell, awarded on Thursday, has served as president of Freed-Hardeman University since 1990. He announced his retirement in February and will give up the presidency to become chancellor as soon as a replacement is found.

During his tenure at FHU, enrollment increased from less than 1,200 to more than 2,000 and 39 new academic programs were added. FHU’s endowment has grown by more than 500 percent and the university’s net worth has more than doubled.

Before serving as FHU president, Sewell was president of Mars Hill Bible School in Florence, Ala., from 1983 to 1990, and before that he served as director and then vice president of institutional advancement at FHU from 1976 to 1983. Sewell is a 1962 graduate of FHU.

“The faculty, students and staff at Freed-Hardeman love Milton Sewell for his exceptional leadership, for his passionate commitment to the university, for his impeccable example as a father and grandfather and for his selfless, sacrificial loyalty to FHU,” Sam Jones, FHU vice president of academics, said at the dinner on Thursday. “He has truly given himself to FHU.”

In their acceptance speech, Sewell and his wife Laurel attributed their success in Christian education leadership to the Christian education they received as children in Florence, Ala. Milton Sewell raised up the positive attributes of his home town congregation, New Hope Church of Christ – a spirit of love, cooperation and commitment to Christian principles – as the type of attributes he hopes all Christian education will bring to today’s generation.

Anderson an encouragement to ministers

Anderson’s Hope Network Ministries is an organization committed to coaching and mentoring ministers and elders, who often find themselves facing increasingly overwhelming expectations and challenges. He received his award on Friday.

In total, Anderson has served 50 years in ministry, including 25 years as an adjunct professor at Abilene Christian University, 19 years as senior minister at Highland Church of Christ in Abilene, and more than five years as minister at Preston Road Church of Christ in Dallas.

He has authored numerous books including, The Jesus Touch, They Smell Like Sheep and The Shephard’s Song.

“Everywhere I go around the country, you have brought ministers together and encouraged them. Thank you for loving and serving us,” Jerry Rushford, a Pepperdine University professor and director of church relations, said at the appreciation dinner.

Anderson and his wife Carolyn thanked Lipscomb University not only for the award but also for the proud heritage and exciting future the university is providing its students and future ministers.

“Lynn is somebody who always knows your name,” said Rhoda Lowry, wife of Lipscomb’s President Randy Lowry. “He affected my life forever because he gave me insight into how a Christian family works.”

Randy Lowry noted that it was a pleasure for Lipscomb to give out these appreciation awards to the two couples who “share their vision of the Kingdom every day.”