Rev. David Southern left for his heavenly home on Oct. 20, 1995, but his ministry and love of God, life, and people lives on.

In honor of his service, a memorial scholarship was formed by his family for an eligible high school senior who feels the call for full time Christian service.

“David had a strong love and concern for any young person desiring to seek full time Christian service,” Judy Southern, David’s wife said. “He understood the financial struggle and years involved in preparation for Christian service. That’s why we created the scholarship in 2005. The scholarship fund is through Enon Baptist Church where David was pastor when he died.

“During David’s battle with cancer, churches in the county and many individuals and others banded together and built a home for our family on Taylor Road,” she said. “Our children, Bethany, Hannah and Luke were ten, eight and four when their father died. The house was called ‘The House that Love Built’ and all three of my children grew up there and attended Yadkin County schools.”

Southern was well known and loved in the community. He was licensed to preach at the early age of 22 in his home church of Robinhood Road Baptist in Winston-Salem in 1977. He was ordained five years later at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Angier when he was serving as Youth Minister while attending Campbell University.

Southern continued his education and ministry receiving a Masters of Divinity at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served in the pastoral ministry for 18 years before his death.

Applications for the scholarship can be found online at www.enonbaptist.org and must be returned to the church by May 1.

“In the last two to three years, we’ve been fortunate enough with the donations to the scholarship to award more than one scholarship,” Southern said. “The minimum we award is $300 and we’ve given as much as $800 depending on the number or recipients chosen.

“The scholarship is geared toward a student who is seeking to serve in the Christian field, but that could be someone who is sharing their faith and hope for God through social work or in the nursing field. It depends on the applicant. We feel fortunate that we are able to help a student obtain their goals by contributing somewhat to their education costs.

“Anyone wishing to be considered for the scholarship only needs to fill out the application and return it to the church by May 1.”

A pancake breakfast fundraiser for the scholarship fund will be held from 7 - 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 30 at Enon Baptist Church, 6321 Old U. S. 421, East Bend. All proceeds will fund the scholarship program. For more information contact Judy Southern at 336-403-6450.