Judson's Founders' Day illuminates power of God at work throughout the world

Judson University enjoyed a beautiful Founders' Day Oct. 20. It was marked by a celebration of Judson's historic beginning as well as a contemplative look at missional work that happened even before our namesake Adoniram Judson's ministry to Burma.

Judson began as a college in 1913 as the undergraduate arm of Northern Baptist Theological Seminary and was named for Adoniram Judson, the first Protestant missionary sent from North America to preach in Burma.

Judson established its Elgin location in 1963 and was renamed a university in 2007.

Judson's Founders' Day events began this morning with a Spiritual Council Diversity Reunion Breakfast that brought members of the local ministry community to campus to fellowship.

The breakfast was followed by a Founders' Day chapel that included a processional of faculty, uplifting songs by the Judson University Choir, prayers and a chapel message entitled, "A Special Hug from Heaven: Jamaica's Hero and the First Baptist Missionary to the World," brought by the Rev. Doreen Morrison.

Morrison is an ordained Baptist minister, author and historical theologian. Born in Birmingham, England, she received her master of divinity degree from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctorate in Theology from the University of Birmingham (England). She has been trained as a clinical chaplain and spent time as a managing chaplain, probation officer and prison chaplain. Yet, her heart has been to help Caribbean youth imprisoned in England.

During her presentation, Dr. Morrison explained that worked for a time in England as a prison chaplain, but she was often met with resistance and heckles by British Caribbean prisoners, who told her they felt forgotten and wanted nothing to do with the "white man's God" of whom she spoke.

The desire to reach them kept her studying well past what was needed for her doctorate and led her to learn more about George Liele's ministry as the first African American Baptist minister and a pioneer of Baptist work in Jamaica.

"As I looked, I found that God had not forgotten us," said Morrison, who shares the British Caribbean background as the prisoners she wanted to reach, "and that He had indeed put flesh on it, and it was in the person of George Liele."

Dr. Morrison shared her historic findings with the world in her book, "Slavery's Heroes: George Liele and the Ethiopian Baptists of Jamaica 1783-1865" (2014).

Judson's chapel service was followed by an elegant Founders' Day luncheon in Judson's newly renovated dining hall. Judson President Dr. Gene Crume took the opportunity to thank the many groups and individuals who have supported the university's efforts, including making the renovations possible. Particular thanks was extended to Robert Lindner of Cincinnati, Ohio. He and his late wife, Betty, have been longtime supporters of Judson. During the luncheon, the new name of the Judson dining hall serving area, "Betty's Kitchen," was unveiled.

Also on hand for this momentous occasion was Judson Professor Emeritus Dr. Stuart "Doc" Ryder, who has attended each of Judson's 49 Founders' Day celebrations. He brought along copies of his new book, "Adventures in Faith: Adoniram Judson, Benjamin P. Browne and Judson University."

Before Dr. Morrison closed out her chapel presentation, she thanked Judson and especially Judson students: "You have blessed my life," she said. "In so many ways I have grown because of you."