Transitional HLGU President Rodney Harrison
“Dire straits” is how the transitional president of Hannibal-LaGrange University (HLGU) described the educational institution’s financial situation prior to the start of a solemn assembly held March 10.
“We haven’t been the best stewards of the [financial] opportunities that God has provided for us,” said Rodney A. Harrison, head of Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries in Missouri, who began serving as transitional president March 7.
Harrison was not without hope for the University’s future. “God is at work here,” Harrison said. “God is going to do something new. I believe we will see God at work. Someday our students will tell of the great things God did. They will know the power of their God and that this same God will do for a person and a church what He did here.”
Facebook Live screenshot of Claude King leading solemn assembly at HLGU.
The March 10 solemn assembly was led by Claude King, the co-author of “The Mind of Christ” and “Experiencing God,” along with several other books, and was broadcast on Facebook Live. The assembly, held on HLGU’s campus in Hannibal, Mo., was attended by more than one hundred faculty, staff, students, and HLGU supporters, according to one Illinois Baptist who was present.
Although the financial challenge was not explained in detail at Thursday’s prayer gathering, the immediate need was reportedly near $1 million. Details are expected to be revealed after the trustees meeting on Friday.
HLGU is affiliated with the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC). John Yeats, MBC president, was at the assembly and will be present at the March 11 trustee meeting.