APU is a Gift to Me
Heart to Heart is a discipleship ministry where mature Christian women assist female students in becoming fully devoted followers of Christ through regular, spiritually focused conversations. Edna considers it a privilege that she has been able to minister to more than 30 young women through this worthwhile program, and she believes she is the real beneficiary because these students taught her so much.
Edna grew up in a Christian atmosphere, and at age 5 she went to church with her grandmother and accepted Christ, which was the beginning of a lifelong Christian commitment. “I wanted Jesus in my life at this early age,” she said.
“To live to your fullest one day at a time” is a motto that Edna practices, as evidenced in her daily life filled with so many activities, from her support of charitable organizations to volunteering at her church and her faithful work with the APU Scholarship Association. She was one of the founding members of this organization, which over the years has given thousands of dollars in scholarships to needy and deserving APU students in all programs of study.
Edna has always had a love for art and at age 78 she held her first art show. Since that time she has had three additional art shows, and her beautiful paintings have been donated at APU fundraising events, shared with many friends and loved ones, and continue to be in demand in the APU community.
Edna grew personally through her volunteering, and now she is giving back through her Charitable Gift Annuity, designating her funds for student scholarships, which she believes is the greatest investment a person can make. “With my gift annuity, I am investing in students’ lives who are desperately in need, and an added bonus is the excellent return of 8.7 percent I am receiving on my investment. Helping others is what being a Christian is all about. This investment I’m making goes into eternity.” She also remembered APU in her living trust, and is a member of the APU Cornerstone Society.
Edna believes the greatest strength of APU is how it reaches out and prepares students for all professions locally, nationally, and globally, making a difference in the world through Christian higher education. The success of APU can be attributed to its motto of God First, which she firmly believes can never change.
Edna likes to reflect on her favorite scripture verse, which gives her daily comfort. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)
