Gifts to the endowed scholarship fund, established at Africa University in memory of the late Rev. John Wesley Hipp, now total more than $20,000.
Proceeds from the 8th annual Wespath-Bishop L. Jonathan Holston Golf Invitational, held September 27, 2021, represent about 75 percent of the funds raised to date.
South Carolina Conference leaders, in collaboration with Wespath Institutional Investments and Africa University, planned the 2021 golf outing as an opportunity to pay special tribute to Hipp, a lifelong Methodist and dedicated tournament participant. Hipp died on October 27, 2020, barely one month after taking part in the 2020 tournament.
"Thank you to the golfing community, churches and individuals who contributed to the scholarship effort to make it so successful," said Rev. Dr. Mitch Houston, Hipp's college roommate and friend. "The response shows the warm feelings everyone had for John and how much they valued his friendship," said Houston.
Hipp's pastoral ministry spanned four decades. It included 28 years as a chaplain in the South Carolina National Guard and pastoral appointments to churches in Aiken, Wagner, Rock Hill, Saluda, Chapin, Conway and Charleston.
After 32 years in the pulpit, Hipp became superintendent of the Orangeburg District in 2010. Two years later, responsibility for the Florence District was added. Hipp served as a district superintendent for eight years, until his retirement in 2018.
Andra M. Stevens, Director, Communications, Africa University Development Office
A World Service Special Gift is a designated financial contribution made by an individual, local church, organization, district or annual conference to a project authorized as such by the Connectional Table. Current World Service Special Gifts projects include the Africa University Endowment Fund, the Leonard Perryman Communications Scholarship for Ethnic Minority Students, the Methodist Global Education Fund, the National Anti-Gambling Project and the Lay Missionary Planting Network.
