FALL 2022 29 DBU’s Annual Community Partners Luncheon brings together leaders of various local non-profits, churches, and schools throughout DFW to celebrate their important work, provide networking opportunities and, most of all, offer spiritual encouragement. These organizations also represent the many places where DBU students serve during their college years, allowing them the opportunity to learn the joys of serving others. The day is also a special time to recognize a distinguished community partner. This year, the 15th annual luncheon was grateful to honor Amy Ford, President of Embrace Grace. After a cordial welcome from Desi Henk, who serves as Assistant Vice President of Career and Professional Development, and a prayer of invocation from University Provost Dr. Norma Hedin, words of appreciation were shared by Dr. Adam C. Wright, DBU President. He especially encouraged attendees DBU 15TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY PARTNERS LUNCHEON HONORS EMBRACE GRACE to remain faithful through the hard times, even when their efforts go unnoticed, for the pleasure and glory of God alone. Bishop Aaron Blake of Harvest Family Life Ministries delivered the keynote address. Blake served as senior pastor of the Greater Faith Community Church in Brownwood, Texas, when he began to develop both a personal heart and strategic pastoral vision for his church to minister to vulnerable children through foster care. The ministry grew, and he and his wife, Mary, launched Harvest Family Life Ministries in 2003. The 2022 Community Partner of the Year, Embrace Grace, is an organization devoted to providing spiritual and practical care for unplanned pregnancies and needy single mothers. Founder and President Amy Ford is also the author of Help Her Be Brave: Discover Your Place in the Pro-Life Movement. Ford experienced her own unplanned pregnancy in her teens and remembered that in her loneliness and shame she developed a passion for enacting change. Beginning as a small support group at Gateway Church, Embrace Grace was established as a non-profit in 2012, and since then has helped churches across the nation and around the world adopt a pro-love posture toward pregnant women. Ford’s desire is that the local church be the first safe place women choose to go to receive holistic compassion. Every year, Dallas Baptist University students log hundreds of thousands of hours of service around North Texas with these community partners and many more. 2022 Community Partner of the Year recipient, Embrace Grace, is represented by Founder and President Amy Ford (center), along Dr. Adam C. Wright, DBU President, and Desi Henk, DBU Assistant VP of Career and Professional Development. Bishop Aaron Blake of Harvest Family Life Ministries, delivered the keynote address to a filled room in the Hillcrest Great Hall.
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