SWBTS Receives 12,000 book donations

Three days, ago the Southwestern Seminary receives books for its library from former student.

The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s Havard School for Theological Studies in Houston received a sizeable donation of 12,000 books including various tapes and copies of sermons from alumnus Pastor W.C. “Buddy” Burns. The school’s current collection will increase to no less than 15,800 – 16,000 books. The seminary is now planning to renovate its library to accommodate the additional 12,000 books.

Pastor “Buddy” Burns graduated from the Southwestern Seminary in 1966. Burns left the school with vision and challenge embedded in his heart. In a short interview with the seminary’s press, he was quoted to say, “Dr. Eklund challenged me to read a week. I have kept the promise for most of my ministry.” Facing this challenge, Burns began acquiring books, tapes, and sermons in the course of his lifetime in ministries.

In the course of his lifetime, Burns pastored at Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. For an additional thirteen years, he pastored at Trinity Baptist Church in Port Arthur, Texas. At each stop, he acquired more books. By the time he began pastoring at his current location, the First Baptist Church of Iowa Park, Texas, Burns had accumulated 12,000 books including various tapes and recorded sermons. Ironically, Burns was faced with the difficult of giving up his beloved collection due to a simple lack of space to hold the huge collection.

According to Burns, he received an answer from God to give his entire collection to his alma mater. “I would not be where I am today if it had not been for my work at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary,” Burns later commented to the seminary press. “I desire to give my library to the seminary that shaped me and molded me.”
The seminary’s president, Paige Patterson, was pleased with receiving additional books for the library, and commended Burns for the generous donation. According to seminary press, he was quoted to have said, “Buddy … built a great library of 12,000 volumes and used it to inform his preaching. His love for young preachers prompted him to give the library to our Havard School in Houston. This puts our library ahead monumentally. God bless Brother Burns, and may his example inspire others.”

Dr. “Buddy” Burn’s donation did not come without a request, however. Burns said, as reported by the seminary’s press, “My challenge to others now is to give their libraries to Southwestern Seminary. This will be an extension of their ministry to further the kingdom of God.”