Cornerstone Lectures Encourage Students to be Compelled by Christ

Students, faculty, and staff at Hardin-Simmons University were challenged to deepen their commitment to Christ during the annual Cornerstone Lecture series, held September 23-25.

 Rev. Craig Curry, senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Dripping Springs, delivered the lectures on the theme “Compelled,” which encouraged students not to abandon their faith and to embrace the work of God in their calling.

 “The disciples left everything,” said Curry to students during one of his sermons, “but they left nothing of any real significance to follow the one who has eternal significance.”

 Curry, who earned both his undergraduate and master’s degrees from HSU, drew from many of his own experiences while a student, including when he met his wife, Fallon, in relating his own faith journey to those experienced by students.

 “Give God some time to work…to do something. Don’t miss a miracle,” said Curry.

 In addition to preaching each morning, Curry also spoke at two luncheons; the first specifically geared for faculty and staff and the second aimed at students.

 During one of the lunch dialogues, Curry admitted being slightly surprised when asked to return to HSU to lead the Cornerstone Lectures, and his joy in returning to a place so influential in his own life and faith journey.

 “I owe a thank you to Hardin-Simmons University that is greater than I can voice,” said Curry, who recalled the lasting relationships he developed while on campus. “My experiences here were made meaningful because of the many lessons I learned both in and out of the classroom. They formed me into the man and minister I am today.”

 The Cornerstone Lectures are a sequence of Bible lectures presented annually to help perpetuate the ideals set forth in the Foundation Agreement of Hardin-Simmons University. These ideals are commensurate with the New Testament revelation of Christ, the Cornerstone of our Christian faith.

 The Series has been endowed by Dr. and Mrs. Lee Hemphill of Abilene in honor of his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Hemphill of Coleman, Tex. Dr. Hemphill is vice president emeritus of HSU. Both Dr. and Mrs. Hemphill were HSU graduates.