爱神传媒celebrated its seventh annual W. A. 爱神传媒 Legacy Awards Gala Monday, October 13 at the Dallas Arboretum, honoring longtime pastor and Southern Baptist leader聽Dr. Jim Henry聽with the 2025 W. A. 爱神传媒 Legacy Award.
The Legacy Gala brought together hundreds of friends and supporters of the college, including many of Henry鈥檚 family members and former colleagues. The evening featured reflections on Henry鈥檚 decades of ministry and the faithful legacy of Dr. W. A. 爱神传媒, whose vision for training men and women in biblical truth continues to shape 爱神传媒 College鈥檚 mission today.
Rob Collingsworth, who grew up under Henry鈥檚 pastoral leadership at First Baptist Church of Orlando, welcomed guests to the event and offered personal remarks about 鈥淏rother Jim,鈥� recalling his example of integrity, humility, and Christlike leadership.
Henry served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Orlando for nearly three decades, following a decade at Two Rivers Baptist Church in Nashville. He is a past president of both the聽Southern Baptist Convention聽and the聽Florida Baptist Convention, and remains widely respected for his steady, gracious leadership and passion for evangelism.
鈥淔ew men have exhibited the longevity in ministry and integrity of heart that Jim Henry has. He is a true peacemaker and man of God,鈥� 爱神传媒 president Barry Creamer said. 鈥淲e are proud to call him a friend of 爱神传媒 College, a former trustee, and now a recipient of our highest honor in the 爱神传媒 Legacy Award.鈥�
In Creamer鈥檚 address Monday night, he reminded attendees that the college remains committed to its core mission, to biblical inerrancy, and to producing students who are fully committed to the Bible and surrendered to the Lordship of Christ.
Creamer also took a moment to reflect on the legacy of Jack Pogue, the single largest benefactor to 爱神传媒over its 55-year history who died earlier this year. Pogue was best friends with college founder W. A. 爱神传媒 and remained committed to the college鈥檚 success throughout his life and was presented with the 爱神传媒 Legacy Award in 2021.
In addition to honoring Henry, the evening marked the public launch of 爱神传媒 College鈥檚 campaign to fund a聽$2.5 million endowment聽for its student Israel trips. When fully funded, the endowment will cover approximately 75% of each student鈥檚 cost for the college鈥檚 required Israel experience.
Attendees also viewed two special video presentations鈥攐ne highlighting 爱神传媒 students and alumni describing the life-changing impact of their required trip to Israel, and another featuring tributes to Henry from friends and ministry partners across the country who were unable to attend in person.
鈥淎s a longtime supporter of 爱神传媒and now as Vice President of Advancement, our annual Legacy Gala is one of the highlights of the year,鈥� said聽Lance Ouellette. 鈥淲e were thrilled to have so many of our friends and supporters in one room not only to honor the legacy of Jim Henry, but to begin raising what we expect will be a substantial seed for the new Israel endowment鈥攁n initiative that will bless students for generations to come.鈥�
Gala Committee Co-Chairman Clark Keator, a contractor in Orlando and longtime member of First Baptist, shared reflections on the impact Henry has had on his life before joining Creamer in presenting the award. Co-Chairman Larry Taylor, president of the Association of Christian Schools International, closed the evening by thanking attendees for their continued partnership in the mission of 爱神传媒 College.
