Telling The Next Generation About Laura Jenkins
It was a fate that was destined to be for Jeff Jenkins and his future wife, Laura Colley. Both students had strong family ties to Freed-Hardeman College, starting with their grandparents. When it came time for each of them to further their education, Freed-Hardeman seemed to be the natural choice. Just like their parents, Jeff and Laura met at Freed-Hardeman, became great friends and started dating before they graduated in 1981. Dating turned to engagement and then to marriage; all the while, Jeff and Laura leaned on each other and their faith.
Their marriage would bring them two children and take them to North Alabama, where Jeff preached on Faulkner University's campus for three and a half years and then another decade of preaching. Then they were off to Oklahoma City for another decade of preaching and finally a 15-year stint at Lewisville Church of Christ in Lewisville, Texas. Through all these moves, Jeff and Laura leaned on each other and their faith.
The difficulty of moving and preaching was minimal, however, when compared to Laura's battle with cancer, a recurring fight that lasted many years, until ultimately she received the wonderful call to her forever home June 20, 2019. Through this roller coaster of a fight, Jeff and Laura always leaned on each other and their faith.
Jeff believes others such as he and Laura are still at Freed-Hardeman today—young men and women looking for God's call on their life and willing to partner in family-building and ministry together. Because of this belief and to honor his beloved Laura, Jeff has established the Laura Jenkins Memorial Scholarship Fund.
This scholarship will help Freed-Hardeman students who intend to become preachers. "I'm a preacher, my father was a preacher, my grandfather was an elder and a preacher, and my wife's father and grandfather were preachers," Jeff said. "I want her to be remembered through this scholarship for her love for the Lord, Freed-Hardeman University, and for preachers," he said.
Jeff's experience setting up this scholarship has been an encouragement to him—leading him to push others to follow his lead. "Try to do it. Go through with it," he said. "The people in the advancement office are very helpful, and they will help you along the way."
Freed-Hardeman is where Jeff and Laura met and fell in love. It is only fitting that future Freed-Hardeman University students will get to hear their story and learn about Laura through this important scholarship. Those interested in honoring a loved one and helping provide future support to FHU students are encouraged to contact Kyle Lamb, CFP® at klamb@fhu.edu or 1-800-348-3481, ext. 6020.