Springhill Baptist Church awards $12,500 in scholarships to 4 students

La'Kendra D. Garrison
·2 min read
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A celebration of academics was held recently at Springhill Baptist Church as the church presented four of its members who are in college with more than $12,000 in scholarships.

The Rev. Adrian S. Taylor, left, pastor of Springhill Baptist Church in southeast Gainesville, recognizes four members of the church who attend college and who recently received a total of $12,500 in scholarships from the church. From left to right are Christopher "CJ" Phillips Jr., Donovan Cooper, Noa Davis and David Hayes
The Rev. Adrian S. Taylor, left, pastor of Springhill Baptist Church in southeast Gainesville, recognizes four members of the church who attend college and who recently received a total of $12,500 in scholarships from the church. From left to right are Christopher "CJ" Phillips Jr., Donovan Cooper, Noa Davis and David Hayes
From left to right are Dr. Mark Croston and his wife Brenda Croston, both of Lifeway Christian Resources in Nashville, Tennessee, Dr. Courtney A. Taylor, first lady of Springhill Baptist Church, and the Rev. Adrian S. Taylor, pastor of Springhill after a service celebrating academic achievement at the church on Aug. 7.
From left to right are Dr. Mark Croston and his wife Brenda Croston, both of Lifeway Christian Resources in Nashville, Tennessee, Dr. Courtney A. Taylor, first lady of Springhill Baptist Church, and the Rev. Adrian S. Taylor, pastor of Springhill after a service celebrating academic achievement at the church on Aug. 7.

The Rev. Adrian S. Taylor, pastor of the church at 120 SE Williston Road in Gainesville, has made education a priority mission for the congregation by sending college students off with financial assistance.

During a service on Aug. 7, a total of $12,500 in scholarships was presented to college students who attend the church, all of whom have strong academic achievements while also being very active within various ministries at Springhill. Funds awarded to the students will be given to their parents to ensure books, materials and other educational fees are paid.

The scholarship recipients were:

• Donovin Cooper, a finance major at Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia; $2,500.

• Noa Davis, a psychology major at Florida State University in Tallahassee; $1,500

• David Hayes, an accounting major at Santa Fe College; $3,500

• Christopher “CJ” Phillips Jr., a business administration major and football player at Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina; $5,000

The church also took a few moments to recognize Taylor on his own graduation from the University of Florida. Taylor was taken by surprise when a slide show highlighting his academic journey began to play before he took the stage.

Dr. Mark Croston, national director of Black Church Ministries at Lifeway Christian Resources in Nashville, Tennessee, and his wife, Brenda Croston, joined Springhill as special guests. Croston’s sermon was “Make Your Home Into an Ark,” and he used Genesis 7:1 as the text for his sermon. The entire service and sermon can be found on the church's YouTube channel — @SpringhillGNV.

Contributions to Springhill’s scholarship fund may be made online at www.SpringhillGNV.org.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Springhill Baptist Church awards $12,500 in scholarships to 4 students