HOUSTON, Nov. 14, 2016 /
Christian Newswire/ -- During the recent College of Biblical Studies' 40th-anniversary gala and awards dinner Illuminate, held at Hilton Post Oak, more than 350 guests enjoyed a unique experience including live painting, an art gallery reception, a spoken word performance by CBS alumni, and a keynote delivered by nationally-known speaker Dr. Crawford Loritts.
Guests helped CBS raise funds for scholarships to benefit low- and middle-income CBS students earn a college degree to become Christian leaders and ministers.
In addition, six Faithful Servant Impact Awards were given to Christian leaders representing various professions:
Business: Norman E. Miller - I Am Second co-founder, chairman of the board, Interstate Batteries
Community/Sports: Lance Berkman - Former Houston Astros player; Second Baptist coach
Legacy Leader – The Arts: Jeannette Clift George - A.D. Players founder
Legacy Leader – Ministry: Dr. William Lawson - Founding pastor, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church
Women's Ministry/Health: Sonya Sloan, M.D. – Surgeon; Founder, Motivate and Empower Women
Ministry: Dr. Ralph D. West - Founder and senior pastor, The Church Without Walls
The evening included award-winning artists Jack and Jill Maxwell, music by Third Floor Strings, and an art gallery reception and silent auction.
CBS alumni Cynthia Patterson, founder and CEO of Dove Ministries, Kachelle Kelly, founder and CEO of Kachelle Kelly International, and Bishop Shon Gray of Greater Works Ministries opened their hearts and impacted the crowd with compelling testimonies of how God changed their lives and how their paths were transformed as a result of scholarships received to attend CBS-Houston.
Gala coordinator Dr. Michelle Morris, CEO and managing partner of GideonStone, LLC, served as emcee and auctioneer, and her experienced team ran the event production.
Celebrating 40 years of biblical education, CBS was founded in 1976 as Houston Bible and Vocational Institute, the history and advancement of CBS reveals a focused commitment to the city of Houston in their mission: "The College of Biblical Studies provides biblically based education for the Body of Christ, with primary focus on African American and other minority groups, and equips its students with a biblical worldview for Christian service to the church and the world."
More information about the College of Biblical Studies can be found at www.CBSHouston.edu.
