By Charles Romans
Carter County Times
Kentucky Christian University held a Gala Fundraising event on Saturday, in the school’s Lusby Center Gymnasium. For the event, the gymnasium was turned into a fine dining spot for guests to enjoy a meal and dinner music provided by Beth Hardwick, a Junior at KCU and Biology Major.
The event was opened by the Dean of Keeran School of Bible and Ministry Dr. Rob Shoaff, and The KCU Worship Collective, with KCU students Alicen Jude, Evan Louderback, Elijah Robinette, Hope Robinette, and Fred Dubreus performed for the guests. Guests were also greeted by KCU President Dr. Terry Allcorn, and Director of Development Danny Stamper, who introduced the special guest speaker Alan Robertson.
Many will remember Alan as the older brother on the popular A&E Network television series Duck Dynasty but might not know that he also served in both a full time and volunteer ministry at the White Ferry Road Church in West Monroe, Louisiana, for over 35 years. He pastored the church for over 22 years before returning to the family business, Duck Commander, and at that point began appearing on the show. Robertson and wife Lisa have co-authored three books, and Robertson is now the host of Blaze TV’s Podcast ‘Unashamed’ with his father Phil and brother Jase Robertson.
“I love ministry, and I love education,” Robertson said. “So, I love what you are doing and I’m really excited to be here. It’s a blessing.”
Robertson shared his family story, as well as his own personal story with the gala guests. The stories he shared focused on wandering from the true path, and fortunately ended with redemption. One quote he used from his father Phil Robertson, “never leave home without your wife or your Bible,” would not have been given to him by his father in his father’s younger years. Robertson told of his father having strayed so far from the true path that he actually threw everyone out of the house. But fortunately, Robertson said, his father came back to God and was a changed man with unwavering faith.
Robertson also told of his own dark journey at a young age and compared himself to the Biblical story of the Prodigal Son. His teenage years led him down a path of darkness, Robertson told the crowd. He left his home and went to New Orleans, Louisianna to “find himself;” but by his own admission that was where he truly lost himself.
“I found myself one Sunday morning on the wrong end of a jealous husband’s crowbar,” Robertson said. “I probably should have died that day, but I didn’t because the Almighty wasn’t through with me.”
In his own words he “looked around the pigpen of his own making” and realized that he did not want to be in that place. Fortunately for Robertson a police officer took the time to speak to him and advised him to go home. He did return home and was surprised at the open armed welcome he received, which lead to his redemption. Robertson’s message, woven through the stories of family trials, failures, and successes, was that redemption was always possible.
The message that Robertson brought to the gala meshes well with the Kentucky Christian University’s mission of education and grounding in faith. Students can pursue a top-notch education while being grounded in faith-based studies as well at a university that cares for them in the same way families care for each other. The gala fundraiser itself is proof of that, with all the proceeds going toward student tuition so that students are able to learn without the additional worry of how they will be able to pay for that education.
Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com
