Written by Bailey Coffman // Photo by Edgar Cardiel
Professor of bible, missions and ministry at Abilene Christian University (ACU) Dr. Jerry Taylor came to speak at Harding last week. He spoke to students and faculty Jan. 18 in Cone chapel on “A Shared Life of Prayer in the Holy Spirit: The Foundation For Racial Unity.”
The event was organized by the diversity committee, as well as University Vice President Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson. Thompson, who previously served as ACU’s vice president nearly two decades ago, said he met Taylor there and relied on him for wisdom “in all aspects” of his life.
“He is not just a Bible professor; he is a true teacher and mentor of God’s Word,” Thompson said. “I have watched him … bring people of opposing positions together by gracefully sifting everything through the eyes of Jesus, and then empowering people through the Holy Spirit that is in them.”
Associate professor of Bible and ministry Dr. Tim Westbrook and director of multicultural student services Tiffany Byers served as the two chairs. Thompson said the two sought to invite Taylor to Harding to preserve unity in the face of current political animosities.
“Dr. Taylor has the tremendous gift and ability to convince our minds and prompt our hearts to put Jesus first ― before things like politics and race,” Thompson said. “In addition to encouraging our students, faculty and staff in this way, he also met with several ministers from local church congregations, urging their commitment to unity.”
The essence of Taylor’s message was to encourage his listeners to see those who surround us through the eyes of Christ.
“When we see God through the eyes of Christ we see our neighbor through the eyes of heaven,” Taylor said in his presentation.
Byers said Taylor’s talk challenged listeners to look at a person for who they are on the inside, not the outside.
“We are often distracted by what we visually see in a person and not the heart,” Byers said. “Dr. Taylor’s call to ‘fix our vision’ can help Harding see beyond our differences and appreciate one another as children of God.”
Westbrook compared Taylor’s message of unity to that of the early church.
“If Scripture imagines a place in the throneroom of God where people can come from all over the world, have all different kinds of languages and experiences, but still be standing before God and praising Him in oneness … then that to me is our end game, and we need to have that as quickly as possible here too,” Westbrook said.
Thompson said inviting leaders from outside of the University can help us to better “walk toward a spirit of unity.”
“Dr. Taylor has such a powerful, yet gentle way of moving us away from our habits of self-centeredness to thoughts and habits that are Christ-centered and powered by the Holy Spirit,” Thompson said.
