Mid-America Receives Donation of 15,000 Books
Mid-America Receives Treasured Gift: 15,000-Volume Library from Montana Christian College
In an extraordinary act of generosity and providence, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary recently became the recipient of a remarkable gift: a 15,000-volume library collection of the now-closed Montana Christian College. This transfer, facilitated through connections between the leadership of both institutions, represents not just the physical relocation of books but a meaningful opportunity to further educational and spiritual endeavors. With titles ranging from theology and biblical counseling to church history and preaching, the collection is a treasure trove for Mid-America professors and students as Mid-America channels this gift into transformative initiatives.
The logistical feat of moving the library from Montana to Memphis was no small endeavor. Initial estimates suggested the collection would fill 130 to 140 boxes, but the reality exceeded expectations, with more than 400 boxes transported across the country. A staff member from Mid-America flew to Montana to personally oversee the loading of the collection and then drove the loaded truck to the Seminary’s Memphis campus. Once unloaded into the Seminary’s gymnasium, the books were carefully organized for distribution, with several key recipients already identified. Dr. Mark Thompson, head of the Varner Prison Initiative in Arkansas, has been instrumental in selecting more than 3,000 volumes for the program, marking a significant expansion for Varner’s prison library, which previously housed about 5,200 volumes.
While the Varner Prison Initiative is receiving the lion’s share of the books, Mid-America’s own library has also selected a portion to complement its existing 210,000-title collection. The remaining books will be made available to Mid-America students, pastors, and the community, further extending the reach and impact of this gift.
For Mid-America’s longtime Director of Library Services Terry Brown, this act of generosity is a reminder of God’s goodness and faithfulness. Reflecting on the gift, Mr. Brown, who humbly refers to himself as a “servant librarian,” described it as a tangible expression of God’s providence.
“This is simply another episode where Mid-America has been on the receiving end of a grace gift,” Brown said.
Beyond the logistical and educational implications, Brown emphasized the transformative potential of these books for Varner inmates—many of whom are serving life sentences. By studying the Word of God and receiving biblical instruction, these individuals have the opportunity to experience spiritual renewal and share that transformation with others, even within the constraints of their environment.
“God uses us to achieve His ends, and He, the Lord Jesus, is always behind the tapestry every single time, on every single thread,” Brown said.