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‘ Always a Ray of Sunshine :’
Scholarship honors Penny Chesnut ’ s 40 years of campus ministry
by Eve Copeland-Brechbiel | photos submitted
Although she officially retired after more than 40 years of working with students at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College , Penny Chesnut is still doing what she loves best – welcoming students into her heart and making them feel at home at ABAC .
Chesnut , the Director of ABAC ’ s Baptist College Ministries ( BCM ) program , said she felt the need to step back and let others take up the work of ministering to students . But , whether it ’ s helping a new advisor get started or just listening to students who are going through a tough time , she plans to remain involved .
“ I do it because I enjoy it ,” she said . “ I can ’ t tell you how good it is to just come over here and just talk to people . I can stay as long as I want to . I don ’ t have to go do anything other than sit here and talk to you .”
Chesnut has a way of drawing one into conversation and making a connection , and she said that is what sometimes people really need more than anything .
“ That ’ s a God thing ,” she said . “ When I first started doing this , I didn ’ t have a clue what I was doing .”
She said that an extremely useful piece of advice came from Dennis Rogers of First Baptist Church .
“ He told me it doesn ’ t matter how smart you are and you don ’ t have to know everything . You just pray every day that God will just give
Penny Chesnut , the Director of ABAC ’ s Baptist College Ministries program .
14 TiftonScene | MAY 2023