ONEIDA, Ky. (KT) — When the Oneida Baptist Institute (OBI) boys and girls basketball teams take the floor in the upcoming season, one thing is sure — they can take pride in their uniforms.
That’s courtesy of a gift recently from the Kentucky Baptist Foundation (KBF), which has provided new uniforms and shooting shirts for both teams.
“I’ve been to Oneida several times,” said French Harmon, KBF president and CEO. “After hearing that Larry Gritton (Oneida president) was going to be the boys basketball coach, we wanted to see how we could help him.”
The result was providing apparel for both teams, with the KBF inscription on the back of the shooting shirts.
“OBI is grateful for the relationship and partnership with the Kentucky Baptist Foundation,” said Gritton. “While most of our dealings with KBF are typically of a financial nature, new uniforms for our kids is a tangible way for KBF to tell our kids, ‘We love Jesus and because of that we love you, even if we’ve never met you.’ Our kids will look sharp as they use their talents on the court to glorify God next season. Thank you, Dr. Harmon and KBF, for caring for OBI.”
The Kentucky Baptist Foundation is known for its mission of providing guidance for faithful stewardship of resources. In 2021, KBF established a Gospel Impact Fund — a way to help meet the spiritual, financial and physical needs of Kentucky Baptist Convention agencies, institutions and churches.
Harmon referenced the words of KBF’s first president, A.M. Vollmer, who said in 1946 that the foundation “lives to strengthen all the rest.”
“Our goal is to strengthen everyone we can and advance the kingdom of God,” said Harmon. “We fund the Great Commission through our investments and relationships, and we think helping OBI is an awesome opportunity since Oneida represents Kentucky Baptists (wherever those teams play). We want to help OBI as we have funds available.”
KBF actively manages more than $235 million across 900-plus accounts. “We’re passionate about using the resources God has given us to further His kingdom,” Harmon added. “Together we can faithfully steward God’s money to fund the Great Commission and make a lasting impact in our communities and around the world.”
