GALLATIN, TN—The annual Strong and Courageous banquet benefiting student scholarships at Welch College recently took place in Celorio Hall on the Welch campus, according to Dr. Todd Parrish, Vice President for Institutional Advancement.
“The Strong and Courageous banquet celebrates Christian faith in the Sumner County community. The inspiration for this event comes from Joshua 1:9 where Joshua was challenged to be strong and courageous as a leader of the children of Israel,” Parrish said. “Each year, we celebrate those who, like Joshua, have been bold in their faith as they serve our community. This year, our generous sponsors provided almost $75,000 in Sumner County student scholarships at Welch, one of our most successful events ever.”
Event patrons were treated to a meal in Celorio Hall as Rejoice! Ministry Team provided inspirational music. During the banquet, the Welch Theater Department performed excerpts from Fiddler on the Roof. Student Body President Derek Whited and Daisy Baker, both local students, offered refreshing testimonies about the impact that Welch College has made in their lives.
The Strong and Courageous award is presented annually to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service to their profession while advancing kingdom principles. The 2025 Strong and Courageous recipient was Joi Wasill, Founder and President of Decision, Choices, and Options, Inc., a faith-based ministry that provides public and private school-based sexual risk avoidance/abstinence education programs.
A number of sponsors provided generous gifts to help students attend Welch. This year’s Naming Sponsor was the Free Will Baptist Foundation. Highpoint Health Sumner with Ascension St. Thomas and Congressman Diane and Dr. David Black were Platinum Sponsors. FirstBank, Goodlettsville was a Gold sponsor. Silver Sponsors included the Goodall Family Foundation, First Baptist Hendersonville, NHC Place Sumner, Rogers Group, Main Street Media, Free Will Baptist North American Ministries, and Drs. Greg and Etta Patterson. A number of Bronze Sponsors, Circle of Friends, and other donors also contributed to the scholarship goal.
“The relationship between Welch College and Sumner County is a strong one. Without the enthusiastic support of our community, we could not fulfill our mission of educating leaders to serve Christ, His Church, and His world through biblical thought and life.” Parrish noted. “As Sumner County gives its best to us, we desire to give our best to Sumner County. What a wonderful place to live!”
The annual Strong and Courageous event has raised almost $400,000 for local student scholarships since its inception in 2018.
For more information on Welch, visit welch.edu. To support the mission of Welch College, visit welch.edu/give.