The Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia is a great example of what much churches should be doing. Far too many churches are taking offerings and building bigger churches, to hold larger congregations, to get more money in offerings. I don’t see anything wrong with a big church but what is the church doing to help the community?

Well Alfred Street Baptist Church gave back in a major way last month. They hosted their 14th annual HBCU College Festival where students were awarded over $2 million in scholarships. The planning committee for the HBCU College Festival did an amazing job coordinating this event. This year they received their largest turnout ever, more than 3,000 students and their families attended.

Reverend Howard-John Wesley reported that nearly 5,000 registered online to attend to college festival. Shattering the myth that black students don’t want to learn or are lazy in comparison to other youth. The success of this shows that when opportunity presents itself the sky is the limit.

Many students were accepted and tuition was paid on the spot, the numbers are amazing. Over 1,000 students were admitted in to colleges with about $41,000 in application fees waived. Over 160 students received scholarships based on merit and several others received full rides.

Alfred Street Baptist Church has an amazing history of giving back and investing in education in the community. There rich history should be praised and admired. This event started with church hosting HBCU Sundays and evolved in something spectacular.