Oneida has so many friends and supporters, far and wide, that it seems to be an overwhelming task to try to meet them all. One of these many friends that I have had the privilege of getting to know was J.V. Case.

In 2005, J.V. established a perpetual scholarship endowment fund. J.V. continued to make additional contributions to the fund. The J.V. and Josephine Case Scholarship Fund will benefit our young people with scholarships for many years to come.

After becoming aware of Rev. Case’s support of Oneida, I quickly made arrangements to get to Bowling Green to visit him. I first met Rev. Case in December of 2014. He was up in years, but his mind was sharp, and it was a blessing to hear about his many years in the ministry.

After that initial visit, I made sure that any time I was in the Bowling Green area, I stopped to see Rev. Case. I always left our visits feeling encouraged and blessed.

I recently received the news that Rev. Case had received his eternal reward and was now in the presence of his Lord. Although saddened, a smile came to my face when I thought of him hearing, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” I rejoice in knowing I will one day see my friend—Oneida’s friend—in heaven.

I am continuously amazed and overwhelmed when I consider all of the folks who have helped Oneida help young people for the past 116 years. Some pray for us. Others serve as short-term volunteers. Many commit to full-time service and spend decades here. Some only spend a year or so here. Many bless us financially by giving monthly, annually, or one time. Others ensure that we are blessed through legacy giving even after they have gone on to be with the Lord. Others refer kids and families to our ministry. It takes so many to make Oneida go.

Our co-founder, Rev. H.L. McMurry, once said, “Burns, this school will grow into a great institution, because it is purely the work of God which cannot be overthrown.”

A visitor to the Oneida campus later said, “Oneida Institute would never had existed if it had depended on a businessman to build it, for a businessman would have known it could not be done. It took a dreamer and a man of God to make it possible.”

I am grateful for James Anderson Burns, our founder, and I am grateful for J.V. and Josephine Case. I am also grateful for the many friends who have helped us do what we do to reach lost and hurting young people.

Larry Gritton is the president of Oneida Baptist Institute.