Dear Students,

I hope your semester is off to a wonderful start! I am thrilled that we are able to be on campus together once again. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your diligence in following CDC guidelines while on campus this semester. Because of your cooperation, we have started off the semester successfully. This is due, in no small part, to your faithfulness in regularly wearing masks indoors, and for maintaining social distancing on campus. I am grateful that even in these challenging times, we are seeing the Lord’s goodness to us and seeing you display Christlike love for your classmates.

As we approach Labor Day weekend, please continue in wisdom as you spend time with friends and family. We know it is easy during the holidays to let your guard down and relax, but we ask that you remember to wear masks in public, wash your hands regularly, and maintain six feet of distance from those outside of your home. As you may have seen, Governor Roy Cooper announced this week that North Carolina will be moving into its Safer at Home Phase 2.5 plan. I would encourage you to read this and make sure you are up to date on the regulations for our state moving forward during COVID-19.

Maintaining the health and safety of everyone on campus means that we must all make wise choices—even when off campus. I trust that each and every one of you will continue to do this as you have been this semester. By God’s grace, we will continue to walk forward during these uncertain times with a certain hope in our King Jesus. God bless, and have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

In Christ’s Service,

Danny Akin