He has been called “America’s best preacher” by Reader’s Digest and “America’s Pastor” by Christianity Today, but Max Lucado is a storyteller. Lucado was a featured guest speaker on the final day of Abilene Christian University’s annual Summit lecture series. His topic was “God’s Story, Your Story,” which is the title of his newest book released this week by Zondervan. A 1977 graduate of ACU, Lucado is a San Antonio minister and best-selling author. More than 100 million of his products are in print, including books for adults and children, study Bibles, devotionals, curriculum, videos and greeting cards.

“Love God, serve others and take as many people with you to heaven as you possibly can,” President Phil Schubert urged students at the opening chapel of Abilene Christian University’s 106th school year.
 

The sports season opens Saturday for Abilene Christian University. While the Wildcats’ first football game still is three weeks away, ACU fans will get a jump on cheering for their purple and white when the No. 39 car of Randy Hill Racing competes Saturday in the Zippo 200, this week’s Nationwide Series race, at Watkins Glen, N.Y.

The Ford Mustang on the track will be painted bright purple with ACU’s logo in white on the hood. It’ll mix with cars sponsored by Ragu, Dollar General, Fastenal, Great Clips and 3M.

The last time I visited Abilene Christian University in Texas, journalism faculty members Cheryl Bacon and Kenneth Pybus introduced me to Harold’s Pit Bar-B-Q. Sadly, my first experience with Abilene’s favorite hole in the wall may have been my last. The Abilene Reporter-News reports that Harold’s is closing, much to the chagrin of its ACU admirers from near and far.

He has a car. He has a driver. And most important, Randy Hill has a dream: NASCAR team owner. The Texas church member, who has interests in agriculture, trucking and real estate, will realize his dream next month when his No. 08 Ford Mustang, with 18-year-old Casey Roderick behind the wheel, takes the track at Watkins Glen International for the Nationwide Series race. The race will put Hill one step closer to his goal of running a car in the Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR’s highest level.

The Midland Reporter-Telegram reports that Dale Brown, a longtime Abilene Christian University trustee, has been appointed to the board of regents at Pepperdine University:
Brown served on the Abilene Christian University board of trustees for 23 years and said he is glad to move to the Pepperdine board and serve his alma mater.
“[Dale] seems to remain calm in all circumstances and has a cool head about him,” said ACU Chancellor Royce Money. “All of those attributes figure in very positively in being a trustee.”
Read the full story.
See a Pepperdine news release …

Colt McCoy came home last week. The former Jim Ned and University of Texas standout and current Cleveland Browns starting quarterback was at Abilene Christian University’s Wally Bullington Practice Facility for the first day of his two-day youth football camp.

Prentiss Ashford wouldn’t call himself a big fan of economics, but the sophomore at Abilene Christian University in Texas says this semester he found himself turning to his econ textbook whenever he had spare moment. “Just the fact that it’s on the iPad and it’s all on there, makes me a lot more interested,” Prentiss says.

“ACU Freedom Riders” retrace the civil rights era in the South. Read a newspaper report and see a professor’s blog journal.

Abilene Christian University President Phil Schubert has issued a response to a front-page New York Times story on gay identity on religious university campuses. The national news report featured prominent mentions of ACU and Harding University, both associated with Churches of Christ.